'Wonderdog' ate 'Marvin' and put 'Wendy' in a coma. In a book with a "happy" cover. For a lame Wondergirl II plot.

Nuff said.

It's rather unfortunate when kids have to be steered away from the superhero comics due to the content. It's an absurd dichotomy, to have eviscerations occurring in-panel and have the gall to say that you're looking out for the well-being of a younger audience by banning characters smoking.

"'Exactly why they are going after the 16 to 24 year olds instead of going for us.'
But that's not what they're doing. "

Um, ok.  Is this where I say it IS what they are doing?  Because I bet you are going to come back and say, "is not."  It may be especially damaging to my argument if you mention the semester of business school you attended. So I am going to beat you to the bunch and say, "IS too". That is TWO "is toos" to your one "is not"!  Ha!  Take that! Do not make me say "IS too" again.  

"Why does MA existing outside the DM matter (not that it does anyway, exactly)."

If it is the only comic book to be found at Target it is going to be the only comic book bought at Target.

"It makes more sense to go for as broad a base as possible. If the product is good, people will buy it. You don't go for the narrower (and shrinking) demographic."

The 16 - 24 demographic is a growing renewable demographic. And, if you market too broad, you are dilluting your potential. If I have a group made up of three 20-year olds it is going to be easier and faster to get a 4th 20-year old to join them than it will be to get a 40-year old to join them. I am not saying it is not possible to get the other demographics to join them. I am saying that right now they need to go for speed.

"don't you think many, if not most, had allowances?"

Thank you for the clarity. I am no longer sure what my exact point was in regards to who paid for subscriptions of Marvel Adventures now. Sorry.  I think it was something to the point of requiring adult participation in the process as a kid can't just stuff cash in an envelope and send it off regardless of what Soupy Sales sugests.

"Targeting a demographic is never a sound thing, not in regards to comic books."

I disagree. Targetting for a demograhic is always a sound thing. That doesn't mean something can't have wide appeal. But you want to ensure that those most likely to buy are product are more likely to buy yours than a competitors. Someone between the ages of 16 and 24 is more likely to buy a comic for the first time than any other age demographic. One ofthe main reasons for that increased likelihood is because they have the greatest amount of disposable income. If you are Marvel, you want to make sure that comic book is a Marvel comic and not a DC, Image, IWD, or Dark Horse comic. So, you want to do what you can to appeal to the likes and interests of those in that group.