comic book poster sizes

[Theo]

I really think we should re-evaluate comic book posters. There are a lot of
comic book fans out there who love great art (we want great stories too, but
that's not my point here). Given the opportunity, we would proudly post our
favorite pictures at home, college, even work. But right now that's not
very easy because the average poster is too big, and the selection of
pictures is small and outdated.

What is the optimum size for a comic book poster? I believe it should be
about the size of a large magazine cover. Something that will fit in school
lockers, or work cubicles, not just on bedroom walls. I'm not saying that
there's no place for large posters, just that they aren't very practical for
the average art fan. Also, I imagine that printing smaller posters should
also make them more affordable, which ought to increase sales. A new
standard size of poster should be created.

Heaven knows there's already plenty of great art out there that we'd love to
tack on our walls!
For starters, there are lots of comic book covers that would make wonderful
posters. But no one is going to tear the cover off a perfectly good comic
book, and even then, we'd rather not see bar codes and other text, only the
picture and title. Some of the advertising posters, that stores post in
their windows, have fantastic art, and these posters are often a really
convenient size too. But there's only one poster in the store, and it isn't
for sale. Someone may be lucky enough to get it when it comes down, but it
still has advertising slogans that obscuring the art. Comic book publishers
can use the Internet to ask fans what we'd like to see on our walls, before
sending anything to the printing press. Make it fun. Do an online survey to
find the top fifty most wanted pictures, and offer some prizes. Maybe break
down the survey into categories, like the top three Batman covers. Post
miniature art previews online, along with the fans' opinions.

This whole idea could actually develop into its own little sub-industry,
similar to trading cards.
Fans can build collections of their favorite posters, hung on the walls in
special-size Mylar protectors, rather than using thumbtacks or tape. If the
picture is from a comic book cover, publishers can put information, such as
issue number and artist details, on the edge of the poster's backside. And
of course we'd be looking to get the artists' signatures.

I think this is a great idea that will have a major impact on the comic book
industry! This is what comic book fans want. I sincerely hope that the comic
book industry gives it to us. It should make everyone happy. And more
posters everywhere should also increase the visibility of the comic book
industry.

Theo

[Jonathan Petersen]

What about the mini-posters that are packaged in Wizard? (Albeit until
recently.)

About the twice the size of a comic book, there was a calender on one
side and some art on the other.

I have the Alex Ross Justice League poster pinned up on my desk.

And then there are the pin-up issues a lot of publishes have issued.
They could be posted in lockers/cubicles.

But I do like the idea of smaller advertising posters. Since publishers
want the art to hang in the store, it should be easy to print smaller
versions of the same art, with text on the back to gain reader interest.