Absolute Batman #1 obviously didn't have 450,000 readers.

Even less at the prices they're at, I could entertain them if they cost two dollars not five. 

If you're, say, a Batman fan (example as its the only character I sorta follow these days) you get two volumes of BATMAN, two volumes of 'Tec, two volumes of a third series, and other two of BATGIRL, ROBIN or whatever, plus special one off projects throughout per year.

That should be more than enough to get your "fix", and it would be much more of an event with each launch as they would be completely new. And much more friendly to the hypothetical new reader that gets a headache when they try to explain monthly comics to them.

And also, they're written that way anyways. I read BATMAN #2 today and it took me five minutes, next month I'll have to read it again because I won't even remember it.

Of course this would completely kill the collector's market and that's a good thing too. It doesn't make sense anyway, no comic book from 1970 onwards will ever be valuable. 

I've never seen an auction for vintage volumes of Tintin or Astro Boy (I'm sure they exist, but I'm also sure it's not comparable to the American thing).

Dreadstar #1 (1982) cost $1.50. Adjusted for inflation, that's $5.04 today.

Comics *feel* more expensive because of wage suppression. People don't have the same amount of spending money anymore.

Just some data for reference, quick and dirty.

Marvel's main line cover price in:

June 1966 was $0.12, which in June 2011 would be $0.84 .

June 1972 was $0.20, which in June 2011 would be $1.08 .

June 1982 was $0.60, which in June 2011 would be $1.40 dollars.

Marvel's main line cover price in June 2011 was $3.99, which would be 

$1.71 in June 1982

$0.87 in June 1972.

$0.57 in June 1966

What is most interesting is the drop in sales. I think the direct market had a great impact on the total number of sales. It looked good for the publishers because of the no returns from the direct sales, but the newsstand sales dwindled and are now none existent. Which means the comics are no longer available everywhere for kids to buy, get interested in, and buy more.