Chapter 81: Volume Books
As the Creed employees digressed from usually indifferent Alexander's smile, Creed Volume Books were on their way to changing up a lot of things in the industry.
For starters, a handful of comic book stores already has prepared bookshelves for trade paperbacks. All they had to do was make some space for the incoming shipment of Creed Volume Books.
Also, the store owners didn't have to scramble for an increased quota of the limited Creed issues anymore as the volume books are set to be printed as much as the community wills it.
The major upside of it all is that each Volume Book can be sold at a fairly higher price of 10 dollars apiece. High prices meant high returns for all the stores as Creed Comics' price and cost ratio had always been better and fairer than anyone else in the industry.
For them niche retailers who are envious of traditional bookstores, the trade paperback version of the popular Creed stories are their awaited upgrade.
They finally don't have to be troubled by all the cent-level purchases and be able to go in the big leagues.
Comic store owners also seem to have the advantage as the Creed Volume Books were relatively cheaper and much more entertaining than the text-heavy and incremental pricing of traditional books.
Of course, those aforementioned changes are still limited to the tangible change that is happening to comic book stores and their owners.
The customers and store goers would also have their own changes as well but that has to wait until the official distribution and debut of the volumetric comic book.
-----
As of late, the niche comic book fans were just teased left and right by the greatly advertised methods of getting the new Creed product around.
Advertisement posters put the covers of TMNT Volume 1 and Dragonball Volume 1 side by side and its bookishly covered and attractive design has caught the eye of book lovers.
The Comic's Buyers Guide magazines have also prompted its loyal readers with what to look out for.
'Collected Dragonballs and Turtles' was the prompt of every advertisement and it was enough to hook fans in.
It had to be said that part of Goku's lore was the hunt for the elusive Dragonballs and to be able to summon the almighty wish dragon, Shenron.
Fans and Dragonball enthusiasts were just amused at the fact that they would be able to "collect the Dragonballs and summon' a real-life memorabilia earlier than happy-go-lucky Goku.
Even the Ninja Turtles seems to be set to join the collection trend as well and seems to be summoning their own version of Shenron, albeit in trade paperback form.
All in all, the theme that Creed HQ's Mr. Advertiser has used for his advertisement strategy was innovative yet simple.
Alexander clearly wasn't pulling his punches this time around and didn't just want to rely on the free publicity that most information media had given them as of late.
Anyways and in eventuality, the comic book stores were readied, store owners were expecting a greater profit margin, and the Creed fans had ample time to be able to save up for their next big purchases.
Everyone was prepared and all that was needed was to make it happen.
-----
In an unstoppable progression of time, the month of August came around and another day for new comic book releases had arrived.
Creed Store and Mr. Counterboy were put to the forefront once again as Creed Comics HQ had already given him a simple directive... which was to just do what he usually does and advertise the Creed Volume Books on the side.
Fortunately, he didn't have to do much as the hype for the collated Creed issues had long been high since the aggressive advertisements had already gotten the attention of everyone interested.
As usual, the comic buying crowd entered and as usual, the lot of them were headed for Creed-related items and activities.
Some went for the usual single-issue releases, some went for completing the Creed surveys, some were out to see the exciting results of popularity posters, some went to buy copies of said popularity posters, and some headed for the new Creed highlight.
It didn't take long for many to find stacks of thick volumetric comic books which were displayed like how one would do to books in the library.
Its designated spine sides had a corresponding identification and amazing design after all.
TMNT Volume 1s were library-ly stuck sided by side with each other while the same could be said for the Dragonball Volume 1s.
"It's way too cool!" Nerdy geeks were already imagining how the future succeeding Volume Books could be acquired and form a pleasing view.
Almanacs and Encyclopedias were bought and sought after for their cohesive spine display when put on shelves and it would seem Creed Comics want to capitalize on that.
Unlike traditional 'trade paperbacks' from the Big Two or other comic publishers of this era, Creed Comics really put more effort into their spine design.
Their efforts were rewarded as the nerdy geeks were already looking forward to displaying their favorite Creed Volume Books in the same awesome way.
A lot of them already couldn't wait as they grabbed their copies from the shelves and didn't forget to inspect what they had to offer.
Like its already cool and appealing spine design, Creed Volume Books stayed true to its issue-version's quality front covers and streamlined back cover page.
It was cool, artsy, and surprisingly hefty in weight. A detail that didn't trouble them but made them delighted instead.
The weight symbolized importance and unlike the incredibly light and cheap single issues that can be thrown away, this hefty and relatively pricey Volume Book was something to be cherished and be cared for.
They also didn't forget to flip the contents and saw the collation of the stories they've followed since issue one with a table of contents and extra pages with exciting arts that they have not encountered yet from the single issues.
It was a shame that their previously bought single issues weren't able to function as the precursor items to let them procure the Volume Books with much ease, fanfare, and enjoyment.
After all and even though Volume Books were technically 'trade paperbacks', returning bought single issues and 'trading' them for the Volume books was highly improbable.
Single issues were single issues, trade paperbacks were trade paperbacks, tankobon volumes were tankobon volumes, and Volume Books were Volume Books.
Regardless of the issue and paperback drawbacks, Creed fans still got their respective TMNT and Dragonball Volume 1s and looked forward to completing an Encyclopedic display of the entire storyline.
Of course, that may have to wait for later as they still have to test their patience and expectations.
As usual, Creed Comics probably won't disappoint with their stories and release schedules.
Single issues would still be released as scheduled and when the numbers reach every multiple of 'tens', fans are sure to have saved up and procure their long-lasting copies.
-----
Overall, the Volume Books were off to a great start and Creed Comics was the greatest benefactor of what was happening.
After all, they finally moved on from limited and cheap issues towards the relatively bigger leagues with "unlimited' copies of not-so-cheap but sought-after Volume Books.