Now the fact that the golden and silver age stuff is years old, and a lot of it is either destroyed or costs the earth, is a possible reason for the reprints, so to say thats why they are better than modern comics (which dont cost as much, and are available in great numbers due to not being old) is yet another comedic line.
Of course there is a market for the old stuff, whether it be people like Grouchyoldman, who cant move on, or it be people just reading for nostalgia, or collectability, there will always be a market for it.
Now in say 30 or so years time, when Preacher is still being reprinted, over and over again, does that mean we can turn round to Grouchy, and say "See, it must be superior to everything, as its being reprinted!"?
As I said before, guys like Stan Lee, Gardner Fox and John Broome were able to write playful and whimsical material that was written with enough talent to reach both older and younger audiences. Stories that were more character driven, and not reliant on shock elements.
I'll acknowledge that the age of targeted comics audiences was generally younger in the 50s and 60s. But into the 60s and 70s, more college age and older readers were following comics, and there was an innovative portion of the market that targeted those audiences.
Were the E.C. books (possibly the most acclaimed and reprinted canonized material in comics history) only for 12-year-olds ? Neal Adams' DEADMAN? CREEPY, EERIE and VAMPIRELLA? Starlin's WARLOCK? McGregor Russel's KILLRAVEN? Roy Thomas' CONAN and SAVAGE SWORD?
You oversimplify, to sweepingly dismiss that material for an older fanbase has been around for a long time. Despite that it is "years old and few copies exist," if the material were not liked by many, there would be no demand for it now.
PREACHER is sadistic profanity-laden garbage, regardless of whether or not it sells well. It's at best a niche book, and I'd wager those who love it are more into the gonzo-aspect of it, rather than becaause they consider it an exceptional work of fiction. A big seller among vertigo books, but with a very small print run by standards of publishers outside of comics.
The earlier material sells because it is loved, and considered masterworks.
