I would think that having affordable editions of their core works available all the time would be an easy, low-risk way for Marvel to continue to grow new readers.


That begs the question, though--what is the best material Marvel can put out there to grow new readers? Remember, the first volumes of all the major Masterwork lines are reprinting stories that are fifty years old. Just to take one example, what would be the ideal "starter volume" for the Fantastic Four, from the perspective of Marvel wanting to attract a new (hypothetically teenage) reader? Would that be Lee/Kirby volume 1, with Reed worrying about beating "the reds" into space? Or Hickman volume 1?

I think Marvel should keep the very best modern runs of their characters in print if they want to attract new readers. But something like Lee/Ditko Spider-Man volume 1 is going to look like an episode of Dobie Gillis to a modern teenager. The problem with modern comics is they aren't always new reader friendly, but some pretty seminal runs are. Ed Brubaker's Winter Soldier storyline, for example, serves as a great introduction to Captain America and his world. Jason Aaron's Thor does a nice job of being new reader friendly as well.

My vote for the one series Marvel should always keep in print at all costs is Runaways. It makes the Marvel Universe relatable.