Although the content was the most important thing, at the back of my mind, the high number indicated to me that the comic had been around a long time ago - and that my father/stepfather may well have read an early issue. Same with other titles.

Go into a UK comic store now and you'll see that 2000 AD has reached its 2071st issue (although they are called "Programs"). I don't know, it's just nice to know that a title has many, many issues under its belt. It's something to be proud of.

I will never equate a high number with quality, not totally. It's quite possible that a title with hundreds of issues under its belt may have had several bad stories. It's not impossible. But judged as a run, I think any comic that can run for so long must be doing something right.

So, with the sense of history, and the number of issues under its belt, something like BATMAN #309 was a pleasing issue to buy.

Now, I'd wager that the renumbering we saw in the 90s was Marvel pandering to the speculators. But what is the reason now? I am genuinely baffled. Aren't the speculators gone? Didn't they move on to some other pursuit?

I did quite like it when Marvel reverted to old numbering in recent months, e.g. it was a pleasure to pick up DAREDEVIL #598. There's that sense of history again. But, for reasons that are alien to me, after a matter of months, Marvel is going to regress back to renumbering. New 'first' issues will be on the shelves soon.

So, why are comic companies (some of them) doing it still? If the speculators are gone, and we've had umpteen renumberings already, what can possibly be gained from doing it again and again? I am genuinely bewildered, folks.

I bet you they will revert back to original numbering again soon - and then regress back to 'first' issues. It seems pointless, counter-productive and absurd. They may as well abolish numbering altogether and just have day/date/month on the cover (some British comics, like ROY OF THE ROVERS, eventually just had a date on them).

Someone on Twitter did tell me that 'first' issues gain new readers. Fine. But do they KEEP new readers? It's all well and good if ten thousand "John Does" (and "Jane Does") pick up a 'first' issue, but if they don't become regular readers, then constant renumbering seems a futile, alienating exercise. 

And is there evidence for that, anyway? BATMAN #309 (a standalone) tale was not off-putting to me at all. I didn't think I needed to catch up on 308 issues. I honestly don't think it'd have been more of a hook if it had rebooted as a #1 (this was in 1979). I do feel that this whole "A new #1 will attract countless readers" has about as much credibility as Noah's Ark. If someone can provide evidence that first issues are attracting new readers, well as someone who follows logic when he can, I will definitely read it.

At the moment, though, I just see this constant renumbering, and it's been going on since the 90s, as baffling. If the speculators are gone, and if there is no evidence that it attracts new readers, exactly why are they doing it? That's not a rhetorical question, I have definitely reached the stage of being confused.

That doesn't really inspire confidence. Again, I may be overthinking it, but all I see is a company that does not know what do do at times.

Although it is selfish of me, I'd love to chat with someone at Marvel and tell them how this constant renumbering is making it hard to search for back issues - or even current issues (if you wish to order Thor #1, be sure it's the right Thor #1, e.g. the upcoming one and not one from years ago). 

A non-fan/civilian I know, who dips in now and again, has commented on how absurd it is. He usually sends me a FB message such as, "What, Marvel are renumbering again?" And another FB friend, who I have met in real life, told me that it was a complete waste of time Marvel reverting back to old numbering - and that she doesn't want to read titles from a company that she feels is obsessed with gimmicks.

Either drop the numbers completely (just have month/year) or stick with something.

WALKING DEAD has got up to # 177 and sales continue to be good. No need for reverting to # 1 here (although I note that the current six-issue arc does have 1 of 6, and so on, on the front).

One could argue that it trades off the TV show but Marvel have the films which should have more impact. I argued on another thread that if the comics reflected the films (or the other way around) this would surely improve sales too although the WD TV series furrows its own path whilst referencing key plot points and this seems successful.

It's far better, and makes more sense, to have something like #1 of 6, not only as a jumping on point, but, well, because it's preferable. I bet no-one has trouble finding a particular issue of THE WALKING DEAD via comiXology.