As much as I hate to admit it, I started reading comics when they cost 25 cents each. That means with a dollar, I could get 4 different comics, which at the age of 8 would occupy me for an hour or two at least. For the same four comics today it costs me on average from 10 to 15 dollars (not including the cost of the protective plastics sleeves and acid-free board backings).
What has happened to cause the cost of comics to rise ten times over in just a few decades? Inflation, sure, is a factor, but there is more to it than that. Printing techniques have changed. Economic relationships betwen publishers and artists and writes have changed. Lots of things have changed. To be honest, I don't really understand it yet, but I will be doing research over the next few months to understand why the costs have changed so dramatically, and where the money goes. How much do comic stores make? How about the average comic book author?
I've always had a hunch that the comic book industry wasn't a great career path, but what do the dollars really look like? As I find out, I'll keep you all informed.
If anyone has recommended resources for me to review, please let me know.