It looks like flashy jewelry is DC’s newest marketing idea. When Blackest Night ends and Brightest Day begins in April, Flash #1 and Green Lantern #53 will come with brand new rings for all of us fanboys who like to put plastic on our hands. The retailer information goes like this:
With a purchase of 10 copies of THE FLASH #1, retailers may order FLASH PROMOTIONAL RINGS. THE FLASH #1 and the FLASH PROMOTIONAL RINGS are scheduled to arrive in stores on April 14.
With a purchase of 10 copies of GREEN LANTERN #53, retailers may order GREEN LANTERN PROMOTIONAL RINGS. GREEN LANTERN #53 and the GREEN LANTERN PROMOTIONAL RINGS are scheduled to arrive in stores on April 21.
This, of course, comes hot off the heels of Marvel releasing the Siege #3 variant with Deadpool wearing his own jewelry, which Marvel offered to retailers if they rip up their left over Blackest Night ring-incentive books and send ’em over. This is where my FAVORITE part of the DC announcement comes in:
“One of the many great Flash Facts about DC Comics is that they actually do support the retailers with promotions like this that not only make our whole business a bit more fun, but also bring the promotion to every single reader. Of course, the proof is in the content and I couldn’t be prouder of the work Francis Manapul and I are doing on THE FLASH and Doug Mahnke and I are creating on GREEN LANTERN. Thanks to everyone, retailers and readers, for an amazing 2009 and here’s to an even better 2010!”
The above quote comes from Dan DiDio as to his thoughts on the incentive, and I love his word choice there. While I’m not going to be so naive as to assume that they just rushed these into production a week or two ago in order to turn the tables back on Marvel, I love that his statement is a very passive way of saying, “Yeah, we did the ring thing. Some titles may not have sold, but it was popular anyway and got new books to sell! SUCK IT, MARVEL!” My interpretation is crude, obviously, but you get the point just from reading his quote regardless.
I love Marvel, and I love DC. I love their frienemy relationship. Furthermore, I can’t wait for Flash #1 even more now.
