But, it just comes off like another gimmick that won't last or lead to better things when you have to go to "retailer X" to get them.  Might as well give them away with Happy Meals.

There was a direct market via comic shops that allowed independents to flourish, giving us things like Elfquest and Cerebus to name but two.

Somewhere along the line, in the mid-'80's, Marvel and DC got conned that removal from mainstream distribution into the specialist shops would be a good thing. Specialist is another name for niche. From general distribution to niche distribution.

And comic sales went down. Companies almost went bankrupt. And comics became a niche thing.

Steps like Wallmart and Game Stop seem to be attempts to break out from the niche market, increasing sales and taking advantage of the interest that is being generated through the success of the Marvel and DC films.

Of course the niche sellers want to keep it as a niche market. Of course they want to retain the majority of their monopoly. But look, this move in to mainstream is a good thing. Awareness of the product will increase. The size of the market will increase. 

So my response is - don't complain, adapt. Be a better shop. Attract customers. Talk up the product. Invite new customers in. Don't make them feel an outsider. Don't belittle the kid who comes in, with little knowledge, take them under your wing.

Be inviting, be bright, be family friendly. Make it so a parent, when walking through the doors is not met with loud rock music where the singer is swearing their head off, where everywhere you look you see statues of naked women, but the parent is met by what they would like to see - the other stuff can be placed in more appropriate places.

Run events to attract people, invest a little, try to get stalls at cinemas when the big movies open, put yourselves out a little.

But don't complain that Wallmart and GameStop are going to try to create a larger customer base for you. Because that's just rediculous. 

They had to adjust as comic book sales were not enough to maintain a business here. 

If you walk in, the merchandise is up front, and in the back is the gaming section, which is where people come and spend their free time gaming.  They play Role playing, card games and battle simulations or whatever else that is built in sci-fi or fantasy realms.  

Except at certain shops, the people working there are not comic book people, especially the younger ones.

If you mention Miller, Adams, Byrne or Buscema to the younger ones, you will probably get a "Who?".  Mention them to the older ones and I usually see a smile and a conversation starts.