psykomyko wrote:
Should I blame the readers, for not buying these great books, or Marvel's marketing strategy, for not convincing retailers and readers to support them?
The short, general answer:  both.  The readers and Marvel (and DC, for that matter) have trained each other to focus on things that are not off the beaten path.  Marvel will sell readers what they are most willing to buy, and the readers vote with their dollars. 
 
A more specific comment in relation to CrossGen:  While CrossGen developed a very loyal following when those titles were originally published, I don't believe that those sales were especially huge.  Given that CrossGen titles were originally published about 10 years ago, the audience for these books has probably also eroded simply b/c of the passage of time.  Overlay that with the current market conditions, and the outcome is unfortunately fairly predictable.  (CrossGen isn't alone in this regard... DC's Red Circle revival and the 1970's Atlas properties have also had problems with their resurrections, and it remains to be seen whether this summer's Valiant resurrection will be able to overcome the same kinds of problems.)



Guillermo del Toro said:

"When you're 7, your mother throws away your comic books.  When you're 40, you should be able to prevent that."

Time, 5 Sept 2011