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Hastings, Another True Blood Exclusive Variant And The Success Of The Store

This is the exclusive variant cover to True Blood #2 from IDW and Hastings. The red will show be printed, as with the first issue, as red foil and will sell for $3.99.

Copies of the first issue, still reportedly on sale at some stores, have sold for $80 on eBay. When I first posted about it, there had only been two copies ever put on eBay. The next day there were ten. And while prices have been falling slightly, they still represent at the least a 1000% return on investment.

Amarillo Globe News looks at the Hastings Comics Expansion in its local stores. And comics buyer James Parker who tells the site statistics;

"The first version is our full expansion that covers 32 linear feet of new comics, 32 linear feet of back-issue comics, 16 feet of Manga, 16 feet of graphic novels, 12 feet of role-playing books, a full expansion of action figures, collectible cards and more," Parker said.

That largest footprint will be in more than 25 stores by the end of the year, he said.

The second, smaller layout cuts the new comics area to 16 to 24 feet, with 12 to 16 feet of back issues, Parker said.

Stores that have the larger area offer as many as 300 titles, with smaller sections carrying 150 to 200 titles, he said.

And as to those exclusive covers that have been burning up on eBay, yet still available in stores;

"Our latest includes Top Cow's Artifacts No. 1, with an exclusive sketch cover, and True Blood No. 1, with an exclusive foil cover," Parker said. "These versions of comics are available through Hastings and are sold at the regular-issue cover price."

And in Hastings' financial report, comics sales contribute towards real revenue growth for the company.

We continued to expand our new and used Comics category during the quarter, bringing a positive response from our customers. We currently have eighty stores with an expanded Comics section. Our Hastings multimedia store model and low new and used price points continue to differentiate us from the competition. As we look ahead, we are optimistic about the next six months, especially with the dramatic change in the competitive landscape where we have seen over ninety competitors close in our markets during the first half of fiscal 2010.

and

Trends Comps increased 11.0% for the quarter, primarily due to strong sales of new and used comics.

Good to know that someone is making money from comics, folks! And, with these variants, I understand one or two of you have been, as well!

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