Interesting report.

M2QSR

Blurb that may directly affect us:

It's their citing of the rising costs of paper and talent in their current report 2Q 2008 that comic book fans might want to keep an eye on, as this could be a potential early indicator of a cover price increase.

That'd be a good start. Do a lot of people buy the different covers every issue? And seriously, does anyone pick up series like Secret Invasion: Front Line? Does that give any good info or insight into the invasion?

Also, if it's true and Secret Invasion really does shake up the MU, that should help cut down on books, too.

I agree that variant covers do help sales and I have more than a few in my collection but I still believe there are too many of them.  I didn't think the 5 or so variant covers for Invincible Iron Man #1 was excessive because it was a first issue and the extra covers could help grab potential new readers.  The variant covers for Uncanny X-Men #500 is fine also because it is an anniversary issue.  The ones they need to stop are the random "zombie" covers and the "bloody covers" or hell even the extra covers for every (so far) issue of Invincible Iron Man.  Save that new cover for a 2nd printing.  Variants should have a purpose.  If not, then they are doomed to the back issue box on the way to the quarter bin.     

And speaking of those variants:

Invincible Iron Man #5 - Marvel Apes Variant

<groan> </groan>