Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site pegasus.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!houxm!hogpc!pegasus!pete From: pete@pegasus.UUCP Newsgroups: net.comics Subject: First vs. Marvel, First vs. World Color Press Message-ID: <1252@pegasus.UUCP> Date: Tue, 1-May-84 10:15:27 EDT Article-I.D.: pegasus.1252 Posted: Tue May 1 10:15:27 1984 Date-Received: Wed, 2-May-84 04:34:18 EDT Organization: AT&T Information Systems, Lincroft NJ Lines: 27 ,,, ,,,, >From my information (from a writer who works for First (and also Marvel)) They are two different law suits: The suit against Marvel involves Marvel increasing the number of titles published and then putting pressure on dealers to buy large allotments of all the titles issued. By thus soaking up cash from dealers and distributors Marvel was hopeing to hurt First's (and other independents) cash flow. Which they did succeed in doing. (Ask my friend about the delays he has in getting paid by First). The big investors in First are a bunch of junior partners in a law firm specializing in Anti-Trust law. Marvel's tactic they belive is an illegal restraint of trade, and they are more then happy to sue to protect their investment. (the suit being a labor of love as it were). The suit against World Color press involves World giving both Marvel and DC an aproximately $.05 per copy discount over First for printing. $.05 per copy is a lot of money ( it would about double the profit for First). World was un willing to negotiate with First and is thus getting sued. The unwillingness to negotiate may well be due to stupidity on the part of World, rather then a conspiracy. First now prints at a press in Colorado, on a slightly better paper, since they want to avoid the services of the defendent in their law suit.