NIELS:
> Hello to the Italian list members (and others, too)
I belong to "others, too", even if I consider myself an Italian comics-wise!
:-)
> I've decided to improve my Italian and enlarging my comic book
> collection by subscribing to the "I Grandi Classici" title (and maybe "I
> Maestri Disney", too).
> As far as I can tell, Disney Italia only accepts subscribers that live
> in Italy.
> Do you know any comic dealers that offer a subscription service to
> foreigners?
This is exactly how I started to learn Italian 7-8 years ago. I subscribed
to Italian Disney comics directly thru Disney Italia and I still have
subscriptions to "Topolino", "I Grandi Classici" and "Zio Paperone" ("I
Maestri Disney Oro" is published irregularly and does not offer a
subscription).
I don't know whether Disney Italia offers *new* international subscriptions,
but they certainly continue to re-new mine (I leave in Greece) and I have no
intention of tipping them otherwise. The subscriptions are offered thru
Mondadori and it can be also done electronically at www.abbonamenti.it
As for subscriptions thru comics dealers, they do exist, but I'll leave that
for our Italian members.
Cheers,
Archontis Pantsios--an old dcml member who hasn't written for years now, but
whose interest was re-kindled by the subject; I visited Italy and my friend
(and dcml member) Armando Botto last week...Actually, it was thru dcml that
we were able to get to know each other and meet.
Author
Topic: 200611
(73 messages)
Archontis Pantsios
Subscription of Italian Disney comic books
Message 1 -
2006-11-01 at 13:42:25
Stefan Persson
Subscription of Italian Disney comic books
Message 2 -
2006-11-01 at 15:07:48
On 2006-11-01 20:42, Archontis Pantsios wrote:
> The subscriptions are offered thru
> Mondadori and it can be also done electronically at www.abbonamenti.it
The subscription forms only allow you to enter an Italian address. I assume
that you will instead have to contact them by e-mail, telephone, fax or mail:
http://www.abbonamentionline.com/abbonamenti/informazioni.asp?mscssid=JQP7CN11XJ4S8LPCHJQ23XE48BDFC7E2
Stefan
> The subscriptions are offered thru
> Mondadori and it can be also done electronically at www.abbonamenti.it
The subscription forms only allow you to enter an Italian address. I assume
that you will instead have to contact them by e-mail, telephone, fax or mail:
http://www.abbonamentionline.com/abbonamenti/informazioni.asp?mscssid=JQP7CN11XJ4S8LPCHJQ23XE48BDFC7E2
Stefan
Archontis Pantsios
Subscription of Italian Disney comic books
Message 3 -
2006-11-01 at 15:19:41
STEFAN:
>>> The subscriptions are offered thru
>>> Mondadori and it can be also done electronically at www.abbonamenti.it
>>
>> The subscription forms only allow you to enter an Italian address. I
>> assume
>> that you will instead have to contact them by e-mail, telephone, fax or
>> mail:
>> http://www.abbonamentionline.com/abbonamenti/informazioni.asp?mscssid=JQP7CN11XJ4S8LPCHJQ23XE48BDFC7E2
No; like I said in my original email, I re-new my subscriptions. This means
that I already have a code which I punch in and check my subscription
status.
Like I said, they may not offer new subscriptions any more and I'm one among
the (lucky) international remainders! :-)
Archontis
>>> The subscriptions are offered thru
>>> Mondadori and it can be also done electronically at www.abbonamenti.it
>>
>> The subscription forms only allow you to enter an Italian address. I
>> assume
>> that you will instead have to contact them by e-mail, telephone, fax or
>> mail:
>> http://www.abbonamentionline.com/abbonamenti/informazioni.asp?mscssid=JQP7CN11XJ4S8LPCHJQ23XE48BDFC7E2
No; like I said in my original email, I re-new my subscriptions. This means
that I already have a code which I punch in and check my subscription
status.
Like I said, they may not offer new subscriptions any more and I'm one among
the (lucky) international remainders! :-)
Archontis
Jano Rohleder
Subscription of Italian Disney comic books
Message 4 -
2006-11-01 at 20:12:10
>Like I said, they may not offer new subscriptions any more
Well, actually, they do - as far as I know. And yes, you can contact them
via mail. The only problem is that there seems to be almost no one willing
to read or write English messages... Years ago, I tried to subscribe to some
magazines. After some time, I got one quite kind email back where they asked
to which magazines exactly I wanted to subscribe to, but after that I never
heard from them again.
I already read in some forums that they aren't exactly good in responding to
mails written in English. But I think if you know someone Italian who can
set up the order for you, it won't be a problem to get an international
subscription.
Best wishes
Jano
Well, actually, they do - as far as I know. And yes, you can contact them
via mail. The only problem is that there seems to be almost no one willing
to read or write English messages... Years ago, I tried to subscribe to some
magazines. After some time, I got one quite kind email back where they asked
to which magazines exactly I wanted to subscribe to, but after that I never
heard from them again.
I already read in some forums that they aren't exactly good in responding to
mails written in English. But I think if you know someone Italian who can
set up the order for you, it won't be a problem to get an international
subscription.
Best wishes
Jano
Niels Houlberg Hansen
Subscription of Italian Disney comic books
Message 5 -
2006-11-06 at 15:50:40
Archontis, Stefan & Jano,
Thanks for your help/suggestions.
Kind regards
Niels
Thanks for your help/suggestions.
Kind regards
Niels
Deanmary
Upcoming Gemstone titles and re-re-reprinting
Message 6 -
2006-11-07 at 08:06:03
If you go this link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?search-alias=stripbooks&field-keywords=&author=&select-author=field-author-like&title=&select-title=field-title&subject=&select-subject=field-subject&field-publisher=gemstone&field-isbn=&node=&field-binding=&field-age=&field-language=&field-dateop=before&field-datemod=0&field-dateyear=2009&chooser-sort=rank%21%2Bdaterank&mysubmitbutton1.x=52&mysubmitbutton1.y=12
you can see the titles Gemstone has listed they are publishing through August 1st.
At first glance, I noticed there were no "Shonen Jump" style titles listed. However, there very well may be some titles released in this format by August 2007. Amazon never listed the $2.95 titles, so I think there is a good chance that they also would not list or sell a Shonen Jump style title that is sold for a cheap price more as a magazine than a book. So hopefully we will get a few issues of such a title by or before August of next year.
In April the first "Spring Fever" volume is listed which I assume is one of the two new annuals that Gemstone is releasing.
May brings a $8.50 title that reprints Barks' classic Pygmy Indian story along with Rosa's "War of the Wendigo".
June brings two trade paperbacks. The first is the next Walt Disney Treasures Volume. The other is a collection of DuckTales stories first printed when Disney Comics had the North American license.
Finally, in July comes the $8.50 "Donald Duck: Case of the Missing Mummy"
I have to admit that at first glance I am not very impressed, and am in fact kind of worried at what seems to be a new direction for Gemstone.
First a more minor point, that being prices. Why are the two $8.50 titles priced that high? They both have the same page amount as the monthly prestige titles but have a higher price. Why is that necessary?
I very much understood Gemstone raising the price of the prestige titles to $7.50, especially since there had not been a price increase in about a decade. However by July, they are raising prices *again* this time to $7.99! Are paper prices going up *that* fast? From a PR point of view, wouldn't it have made more sense to just raise them to $7.99 to begin with? Why anger buyers with *two* price increase in 6 months when there had been no price increases for about 10 years? I just do not get that.
My overall biggest disappointment and concern is that Gemstone seems to be starting to focus primarily on re-re-reprinting stories. So far I have thought Gemstone has done a pretty good job concerning reprints. There have been some Barks, Rosa, and Van Horn reprints, but they have not dominated the titles. This seems to be changing though. Even titles like the next two annuals and the next Treasures TPB have more re-re-prints than before. Along with the two new TPBs including either all or mostly reprinted stories, how about a TPB that contains all *new* stories? Is there so little confidence that an all new TPB would just not sell?
We now only have two regular titles each month. With less titles each month, you would think re-re-reprints should be kept to a minimum. Yet that seems to be the opposite of what is happening. In the first 8 issues of Uncle Scrooge to be published in 2007, 4 of these issues have a Rosa reprint! Before there were not 4 Rosa reprints in U$ in a whole year, and that is when we had more titles each month! Of course that does not even count Vacation Parade 4, Pygmy/Wendigo and the next Walt Disney Treasures TPB which *all* feature Rosa reprints! Does Gemstone feel it cannot sell even two monthly titles without continually re-re-reprinting Barks and Rosa stories? If so, I would at least like them to come out and say so. If that is the case though, I do not see much of a future for Disney comics in North America. Also, what happens in say 3 or 4 years when they have reprinted all of Don's stories again in U$ or WDC&S or annuals? Do we then start over having them re-re-reprinted *again*? Should I "look forward" to seeing the Life and Times of Scrooge stories re-re-reprinted in U$ in 2009 or 2010?
I don't think the readers of any other line of comics have to deal with getting so many re-reprints all of the time. Try this example. Marvel Comics has printed a monthly comic book called "Fantastic Four" since the early 1960's. The first 100 or so issue were done by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and are considered classic stories. "FF" is still published monthly to this day. Imagine though if every second or third issue of "FF" had a Lee and Kirby reprint in it? Would not that be absurd? Aren't readers each month looking for *new* stories which they have not read before? I don't think any other comic publisher could get away with re-reprinting stories in their monthly titles like we have to deal with Disney comics!
Now lets take it one step further. Imagine Marvel using a Lee and Kirby "FF" re-reprint every few months if there were *hundreds* of "FF" stories that were already written and drawn but never printed yet! Imagine how fans would feel then! Yet that is just the case when it comes to Disney comics. We get re-reprints after re-reprints when there are *thousands* of stories that have never seen print in North America! Does that make any sense? Why in the world can't we have more new stories, especially considering that Gemstone does not even have to pay for them to be written or drawn??? I realize that Gemstone still has to color them and letter them, and sometimes have new dialogue written. However isn't that a *far* cry from having to pay for the new stories themselves?
Now is there is a place for reprinting these Lee and Kirby classic "FF" stories? Of course! However, the one place *not* to reprint them is the current monthly "FF" title! Marvel and DC both reprint their most classic stories in not just one but *two* formats! They both have a line of high priced archives. And they also both have low priced black and white versions where you get over 500 pages for about $16.00. Why can't Gemstone have a line or two that reprints classic stories, and at the same time leave their monthly titles for new to North America stories? Why do we have to get so many re-reprints with comparatively few new stories?
I would really like to hear what other members on this mailing list who buy Gemstone comics monthly have to think about this. And if there are people who *do* like seeing re-re-reprints much more than new stories, can you please explain why? Perhaps I am just not seeing this the right way and someone can help me look at it from a different view.
At this point though I am losing much of my enthusiasm for the future of Disney comics in North America and I *love* Disney comics, even more than it perhaps makes sense to do so! How exciting can it be though to get even *more* copies of stories I already have... Perhaps the new Shonen Jump style title will focus on new stories. Yet I have a bad feeling that Gemstone will take the "cheap" and "easy" way out and just fill lots of them with more re-re-reprints.
I realize that Gemstone wants to talk about their new titles and direction at their own place and time. Wherever and whenever that happens though, could Gemstone *please* address why they are to my way of thinking largely giving up on new stories?
Dean Rekich
you can see the titles Gemstone has listed they are publishing through August 1st.
At first glance, I noticed there were no "Shonen Jump" style titles listed. However, there very well may be some titles released in this format by August 2007. Amazon never listed the $2.95 titles, so I think there is a good chance that they also would not list or sell a Shonen Jump style title that is sold for a cheap price more as a magazine than a book. So hopefully we will get a few issues of such a title by or before August of next year.
In April the first "Spring Fever" volume is listed which I assume is one of the two new annuals that Gemstone is releasing.
May brings a $8.50 title that reprints Barks' classic Pygmy Indian story along with Rosa's "War of the Wendigo".
June brings two trade paperbacks. The first is the next Walt Disney Treasures Volume. The other is a collection of DuckTales stories first printed when Disney Comics had the North American license.
Finally, in July comes the $8.50 "Donald Duck: Case of the Missing Mummy"
I have to admit that at first glance I am not very impressed, and am in fact kind of worried at what seems to be a new direction for Gemstone.
First a more minor point, that being prices. Why are the two $8.50 titles priced that high? They both have the same page amount as the monthly prestige titles but have a higher price. Why is that necessary?
I very much understood Gemstone raising the price of the prestige titles to $7.50, especially since there had not been a price increase in about a decade. However by July, they are raising prices *again* this time to $7.99! Are paper prices going up *that* fast? From a PR point of view, wouldn't it have made more sense to just raise them to $7.99 to begin with? Why anger buyers with *two* price increase in 6 months when there had been no price increases for about 10 years? I just do not get that.
My overall biggest disappointment and concern is that Gemstone seems to be starting to focus primarily on re-re-reprinting stories. So far I have thought Gemstone has done a pretty good job concerning reprints. There have been some Barks, Rosa, and Van Horn reprints, but they have not dominated the titles. This seems to be changing though. Even titles like the next two annuals and the next Treasures TPB have more re-re-prints than before. Along with the two new TPBs including either all or mostly reprinted stories, how about a TPB that contains all *new* stories? Is there so little confidence that an all new TPB would just not sell?
We now only have two regular titles each month. With less titles each month, you would think re-re-reprints should be kept to a minimum. Yet that seems to be the opposite of what is happening. In the first 8 issues of Uncle Scrooge to be published in 2007, 4 of these issues have a Rosa reprint! Before there were not 4 Rosa reprints in U$ in a whole year, and that is when we had more titles each month! Of course that does not even count Vacation Parade 4, Pygmy/Wendigo and the next Walt Disney Treasures TPB which *all* feature Rosa reprints! Does Gemstone feel it cannot sell even two monthly titles without continually re-re-reprinting Barks and Rosa stories? If so, I would at least like them to come out and say so. If that is the case though, I do not see much of a future for Disney comics in North America. Also, what happens in say 3 or 4 years when they have reprinted all of Don's stories again in U$ or WDC&S or annuals? Do we then start over having them re-re-reprinted *again*? Should I "look forward" to seeing the Life and Times of Scrooge stories re-re-reprinted in U$ in 2009 or 2010?
I don't think the readers of any other line of comics have to deal with getting so many re-reprints all of the time. Try this example. Marvel Comics has printed a monthly comic book called "Fantastic Four" since the early 1960's. The first 100 or so issue were done by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and are considered classic stories. "FF" is still published monthly to this day. Imagine though if every second or third issue of "FF" had a Lee and Kirby reprint in it? Would not that be absurd? Aren't readers each month looking for *new* stories which they have not read before? I don't think any other comic publisher could get away with re-reprinting stories in their monthly titles like we have to deal with Disney comics!
Now lets take it one step further. Imagine Marvel using a Lee and Kirby "FF" re-reprint every few months if there were *hundreds* of "FF" stories that were already written and drawn but never printed yet! Imagine how fans would feel then! Yet that is just the case when it comes to Disney comics. We get re-reprints after re-reprints when there are *thousands* of stories that have never seen print in North America! Does that make any sense? Why in the world can't we have more new stories, especially considering that Gemstone does not even have to pay for them to be written or drawn??? I realize that Gemstone still has to color them and letter them, and sometimes have new dialogue written. However isn't that a *far* cry from having to pay for the new stories themselves?
Now is there is a place for reprinting these Lee and Kirby classic "FF" stories? Of course! However, the one place *not* to reprint them is the current monthly "FF" title! Marvel and DC both reprint their most classic stories in not just one but *two* formats! They both have a line of high priced archives. And they also both have low priced black and white versions where you get over 500 pages for about $16.00. Why can't Gemstone have a line or two that reprints classic stories, and at the same time leave their monthly titles for new to North America stories? Why do we have to get so many re-reprints with comparatively few new stories?
I would really like to hear what other members on this mailing list who buy Gemstone comics monthly have to think about this. And if there are people who *do* like seeing re-re-reprints much more than new stories, can you please explain why? Perhaps I am just not seeing this the right way and someone can help me look at it from a different view.
At this point though I am losing much of my enthusiasm for the future of Disney comics in North America and I *love* Disney comics, even more than it perhaps makes sense to do so! How exciting can it be though to get even *more* copies of stories I already have... Perhaps the new Shonen Jump style title will focus on new stories. Yet I have a bad feeling that Gemstone will take the "cheap" and "easy" way out and just fill lots of them with more re-re-reprints.
I realize that Gemstone wants to talk about their new titles and direction at their own place and time. Wherever and whenever that happens though, could Gemstone *please* address why they are to my way of thinking largely giving up on new stories?
Dean Rekich
David Gerstein
DCML Digest, Vol 45, Issue 3
Message 7 -
2006-11-07 at 15:26:27
Hi Dean,
I'll have to save some of your concerns for an upcoming letter... I
really appreciate you voicing so many thoughts about this stuff. But
I can at least address one issue right away...
> With less titles each month, you would think re-re-reprints should
> be kept to a minimum. Yet that seems to be the opposite of what is
> happening. In the first 8 issues of Uncle Scrooge to be published
> in 2007, 4 of these issues have a Rosa reprint!
Hmm. There are Rosa reprints in the January ("Return to Plain
Awful"), April ("Treasure Under Glass"), and July-ship ("Guardians of
the Lost Library") issues. That's three issues, not four.
> Before there were not 4 Rosa reprints in U$ in a whole year, and
> that is when we had more titles each month!
As has actually been our routine for two years now (!), we generally
try to feature a Rosa story in one out of every three US issues. This
Rosa story can be either an original or a reprint. When Don produces
more new stories, those will naturally occupy this spot. We're not
wedded specifically to reprints as a rule.
> Of course that does not even count Vacation Parade 4, Pygmy/
> Wendigo and the next Walt Disney Treasures TPB which *all* feature
> Rosa reprints!
Er... the subject of the Treasures TPB is the history of Scrooge.
Would you expect a TPB based on this subject not to include a Rosa
story?
> Does Gemstone feel it cannot sell even two monthly titles without
> continually re-re-reprinting Barks and Rosa stories?
Uh... er... another one of our usual techniques, for at least the
past year and a half, has been to feature a long Barks story in one
out of every three US issues, too.
Remember, each of these issues has roughly 60 pages of comics
material. That's 180 in every three months. Subtract roughly 60 pages
for long and short Barks and Rosa stories and you'll still get 120
pages of almost entirely new, or new-to-North-America, material over
that time. Do you really think we're being that stingy with the new
stories?
> If so, I would at least like them to come out and say so.
Sure; it's not like we've got anything to hide.
Barks and Rosa are our most popular Uncle Scrooge creators, with
many readers of the Scrooge title repeatedly requesting reprints. But
not much about our technique of satisfying those readers is any
different now than it has ever been. And in the meantime, the book is
still two-thirds full of new-to-America material by Scarpa, Kari
Korhonen, Mau Heymans, Lars Jensen, Daniel Branca, Daan Jippes, Tony
Strobl, and many other greats.
> Also, what happens in say 3 or 4 years when they have reprinted all
> of Don's stories again in U$ or WDC&S or annuals? Do we then start
> over having them re-re-reprinted *again*?
Hmm. Good question...
> Imagine though if every second or third issue of "FF" had a Lee and
> Kirby reprint in it? Would not that be absurd?
As you point out, "FF" has had numerous reprint books, published
rather frequently. If there was only one "FF" title per year, and
this was the only outlet for ALL "FF" stories, both new and old, then
I wouldn't be surprised to see a reprint in every third issue.
With Scrooge, we're putting out a few specials to celebrate his 60th
anniversary in 2007; but more typically, he only gets one regularly
published title. Under these conditions, I think it's only natural to
include some reprints, as long as we make sure that the great
majority of the material is new.
> Why can't Gemstone have a line or two that reprints classic
> stories, and at the same time leave their monthly titles for new to
> North America stories?
Because as far as we're able to gauge, most readers really seem to
appreciate a mix (though of course, we'd always like to hear more
opinions!). Even TREASURES, which for many publishers might have been
an all-reprint book, is better IMHO with some new-to-North-America
material too.
> We get re-reprints after re-reprints when there are *thousands* of
> stories that have never seen print in North America! Does that
> make any sense? Why in the world can't we have more new stories,
> especially considering that Gemstone does not even have to pay for
> them to be written or drawn???
In the early days, Gemstone did feature a little more new material
and somewhat fewer Barks and Rosa reprints. Speaking for myself, I
might personally have preferred it that way, but Gemstone got large
amounts of feedback asking for more Barks and Rosa... to the point
where it was very clear that the feedback represented a significant
part of our readership.
> I realize that Gemstone wants to talk about their new titles and
> direction at their own place and time. Wherever and whenever that
> happens though, could Gemstone *please* address why they are to my
> way of thinking largely giving up on new stories?
All I can say is... we're not giving up on new stories anytime soon,
nor would we want to.
More thoughts later.
Best, David
I'll have to save some of your concerns for an upcoming letter... I
really appreciate you voicing so many thoughts about this stuff. But
I can at least address one issue right away...
> With less titles each month, you would think re-re-reprints should
> be kept to a minimum. Yet that seems to be the opposite of what is
> happening. In the first 8 issues of Uncle Scrooge to be published
> in 2007, 4 of these issues have a Rosa reprint!
Hmm. There are Rosa reprints in the January ("Return to Plain
Awful"), April ("Treasure Under Glass"), and July-ship ("Guardians of
the Lost Library") issues. That's three issues, not four.
> Before there were not 4 Rosa reprints in U$ in a whole year, and
> that is when we had more titles each month!
As has actually been our routine for two years now (!), we generally
try to feature a Rosa story in one out of every three US issues. This
Rosa story can be either an original or a reprint. When Don produces
more new stories, those will naturally occupy this spot. We're not
wedded specifically to reprints as a rule.
> Of course that does not even count Vacation Parade 4, Pygmy/
> Wendigo and the next Walt Disney Treasures TPB which *all* feature
> Rosa reprints!
Er... the subject of the Treasures TPB is the history of Scrooge.
Would you expect a TPB based on this subject not to include a Rosa
story?
> Does Gemstone feel it cannot sell even two monthly titles without
> continually re-re-reprinting Barks and Rosa stories?
Uh... er... another one of our usual techniques, for at least the
past year and a half, has been to feature a long Barks story in one
out of every three US issues, too.
Remember, each of these issues has roughly 60 pages of comics
material. That's 180 in every three months. Subtract roughly 60 pages
for long and short Barks and Rosa stories and you'll still get 120
pages of almost entirely new, or new-to-North-America, material over
that time. Do you really think we're being that stingy with the new
stories?
> If so, I would at least like them to come out and say so.
Sure; it's not like we've got anything to hide.
Barks and Rosa are our most popular Uncle Scrooge creators, with
many readers of the Scrooge title repeatedly requesting reprints. But
not much about our technique of satisfying those readers is any
different now than it has ever been. And in the meantime, the book is
still two-thirds full of new-to-America material by Scarpa, Kari
Korhonen, Mau Heymans, Lars Jensen, Daniel Branca, Daan Jippes, Tony
Strobl, and many other greats.
> Also, what happens in say 3 or 4 years when they have reprinted all
> of Don's stories again in U$ or WDC&S or annuals? Do we then start
> over having them re-re-reprinted *again*?
Hmm. Good question...
> Imagine though if every second or third issue of "FF" had a Lee and
> Kirby reprint in it? Would not that be absurd?
As you point out, "FF" has had numerous reprint books, published
rather frequently. If there was only one "FF" title per year, and
this was the only outlet for ALL "FF" stories, both new and old, then
I wouldn't be surprised to see a reprint in every third issue.
With Scrooge, we're putting out a few specials to celebrate his 60th
anniversary in 2007; but more typically, he only gets one regularly
published title. Under these conditions, I think it's only natural to
include some reprints, as long as we make sure that the great
majority of the material is new.
> Why can't Gemstone have a line or two that reprints classic
> stories, and at the same time leave their monthly titles for new to
> North America stories?
Because as far as we're able to gauge, most readers really seem to
appreciate a mix (though of course, we'd always like to hear more
opinions!). Even TREASURES, which for many publishers might have been
an all-reprint book, is better IMHO with some new-to-North-America
material too.
> We get re-reprints after re-reprints when there are *thousands* of
> stories that have never seen print in North America! Does that
> make any sense? Why in the world can't we have more new stories,
> especially considering that Gemstone does not even have to pay for
> them to be written or drawn???
In the early days, Gemstone did feature a little more new material
and somewhat fewer Barks and Rosa reprints. Speaking for myself, I
might personally have preferred it that way, but Gemstone got large
amounts of feedback asking for more Barks and Rosa... to the point
where it was very clear that the feedback represented a significant
part of our readership.
> I realize that Gemstone wants to talk about their new titles and
> direction at their own place and time. Wherever and whenever that
> happens though, could Gemstone *please* address why they are to my
> way of thinking largely giving up on new stories?
All I can say is... we're not giving up on new stories anytime soon,
nor would we want to.
More thoughts later.
Best, David
Rodney-selfhelpbikeco
DCML Digest, Vol 45, Issue 3
Message 8 -
2006-11-07 at 18:33:13
Since I do work in the paper industry, I feel that I can safely say that yes, paper prices ARE raising that much!
However, I frankly have stopped buying the books monthly because I'm not satisfied with the quality of many of the newer stories. At this point, if a book is published and it contains a re-re-reprint, but it's of a story that I've not read (like War Of the Wendigo)I'm going to gladly purchase it.
While I understand the point of your analogy to Fantastic Four, I don't think it quite works. Disney books are targeted more to a different audience. There are still plenty of comic strips being presented in papers today, but there is a large audience for Fantagraphics' Complete Peanuts book, even though much of that material is indeed re-re-reprinted. I think this is more along the lines of the audience that Gemstone is targeting with their books.
Rodney
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However, I frankly have stopped buying the books monthly because I'm not satisfied with the quality of many of the newer stories. At this point, if a book is published and it contains a re-re-reprint, but it's of a story that I've not read (like War Of the Wendigo)I'm going to gladly purchase it.
While I understand the point of your analogy to Fantastic Four, I don't think it quite works. Disney books are targeted more to a different audience. There are still plenty of comic strips being presented in papers today, but there is a large audience for Fantagraphics' Complete Peanuts book, even though much of that material is indeed re-re-reprinted. I think this is more along the lines of the audience that Gemstone is targeting with their books.
Rodney
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Arthur De Wolf
Publishing Disney comics online
Message 9 -
2006-11-07 at 20:01:02
Hi,
Wizards of Mickey is a new ten-part fantasy story starring Mickey, Donald
and Goofy that was started in Italian weekly Topolino magazine last month.
The series has an amazing official website at http://www.wizardsofmickey.com,
and since recently the site offers FREE DOWNLOADS of past chapters in PDF
format!
I believe that publishing Disney comic stories online, for free, is an
unprecedented event in Disney comics history.
Here is an idea; what if Gemstone started to publish Disney comic stories
online, perhaps not as downloadable PDFs, but in some kind of digital format
with copy protection. The stories could be presented alongside
advertisements to generate revenue in the same way that ABC is showing their
TV shows online (viewers are forced to sit through short commercial breaks).
This would certainly beat the continuing issue of higher paper costs.
Could it be the future of reading (Disney) comics? What do you think?
Kind regards,
Arthur
Wizards of Mickey is a new ten-part fantasy story starring Mickey, Donald
and Goofy that was started in Italian weekly Topolino magazine last month.
The series has an amazing official website at http://www.wizardsofmickey.com,
and since recently the site offers FREE DOWNLOADS of past chapters in PDF
format!
I believe that publishing Disney comic stories online, for free, is an
unprecedented event in Disney comics history.
Here is an idea; what if Gemstone started to publish Disney comic stories
online, perhaps not as downloadable PDFs, but in some kind of digital format
with copy protection. The stories could be presented alongside
advertisements to generate revenue in the same way that ABC is showing their
TV shows online (viewers are forced to sit through short commercial breaks).
This would certainly beat the continuing issue of higher paper costs.
Could it be the future of reading (Disney) comics? What do you think?
Kind regards,
Arthur
Leo Schulte
Gemstone and the Future
Message 10 -
2006-11-07 at 20:44:33
One reason why I have not bought hardly any comic books is the lack of
new Rosa and Van Horn stories! I know that Don Rosa is famous for
working slowly and meticulously, so his output is not prodigious. But
what about the other American authors? Why not more new stories from
Block and Fernandez ?
And if there are still not enough authors to fill a comic book with new
things, why not a little talent search?
A friend of mine cancelled his subscription more than a year ago: same
complaint. Not enough new Don Rosa stories!
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new Rosa and Van Horn stories! I know that Don Rosa is famous for
working slowly and meticulously, so his output is not prodigious. But
what about the other American authors? Why not more new stories from
Block and Fernandez ?
And if there are still not enough authors to fill a comic book with new
things, why not a little talent search?
A friend of mine cancelled his subscription more than a year ago: same
complaint. Not enough new Don Rosa stories!
--
Search for products and services at:
http://search.mail.com
David Gerstein
Gemstone and the Future
Message 11 -
2006-11-07 at 21:23:35
Hi Leo,
One reason why I have not bought hardly any [Gemstone] comic books is the lack of new Rosa and Van Horn stories! I know that Don Rosa is famous for working slowly and meticulously, so his output is not prodigious. But what about the other American authors?
Bill Van Horn doesn't produce quite as many stories as he used to. But we've still got a new Donald saga from him in every other issue of WALT DISNEY'S COMICS AND STORIES. Sometimes even more often than that.
Pat and Carol McGreal, Michael T. and Janet Gilbert, Byron Erickson, Dave Rawson, John Lustig, John Blair Moore, and Terry Laban are also North Americans, and our comics include quite a lot of their work. Or were you only referring to American *artists*?
Why not more new stories from Block and Fernandez?
The upcoming "Case of the Missing Mummy" is a Gemstone-produced long adventure written and drawn by Pat and Shelly Block, with art by Pat Block. Admittedly, one reason you don't see more stories drawn by Pat is that he is presently drawing for no Disney comics producer besides Gemstone, and we ourselves have never had a high budget for producing our own stories- so we couldn't take many more from him even if we wanted to.
We will, however, have more short Egmont stories *written* by the Blocks in the near future.
As for Ron Fernandez, I'm not sure of his whereabouts at present. He hasn't worked with the Blocks for many years, and I'm not aware that he's tried to write for any other Disney comics producer.
Best, David
One reason why I have not bought hardly any [Gemstone] comic books is the lack of new Rosa and Van Horn stories! I know that Don Rosa is famous for working slowly and meticulously, so his output is not prodigious. But what about the other American authors?
Bill Van Horn doesn't produce quite as many stories as he used to. But we've still got a new Donald saga from him in every other issue of WALT DISNEY'S COMICS AND STORIES. Sometimes even more often than that.
Pat and Carol McGreal, Michael T. and Janet Gilbert, Byron Erickson, Dave Rawson, John Lustig, John Blair Moore, and Terry Laban are also North Americans, and our comics include quite a lot of their work. Or were you only referring to American *artists*?
Why not more new stories from Block and Fernandez?
The upcoming "Case of the Missing Mummy" is a Gemstone-produced long adventure written and drawn by Pat and Shelly Block, with art by Pat Block. Admittedly, one reason you don't see more stories drawn by Pat is that he is presently drawing for no Disney comics producer besides Gemstone, and we ourselves have never had a high budget for producing our own stories- so we couldn't take many more from him even if we wanted to.
We will, however, have more short Egmont stories *written* by the Blocks in the near future.
As for Ron Fernandez, I'm not sure of his whereabouts at present. He hasn't worked with the Blocks for many years, and I'm not aware that he's tried to write for any other Disney comics producer.
Best, David
Gary Leach
Re-re-reprints
Message 12 -
2006-11-07 at 21:46:15
Dean:
> Perhaps the new Shonen Jump style title will focus on new stories.
> Yet I have a bad feeling that Gemstone will take the "cheap" and
> "easy" way out and just fill lots of them with more re-re-reprints.
As Sue and I don't review Gemstone's solicitations, I won't speak to
the contents of upcoming prestige and one-shot issues, other than to
say I never put much faith in the product information supplied by
Amazon. However, I can say that the "Shonen Jump"-type books are
intended to feature all-new (for the U.S. market) material.
In any event, redirecting a comic book line is not a turn-on-a-dime
proposition. Some tricky course corrections are involved, and the
final bearing is not necessarily going to be obvious from the initial
maneuvers taken to reach it.
Gary
> Perhaps the new Shonen Jump style title will focus on new stories.
> Yet I have a bad feeling that Gemstone will take the "cheap" and
> "easy" way out and just fill lots of them with more re-re-reprints.
As Sue and I don't review Gemstone's solicitations, I won't speak to
the contents of upcoming prestige and one-shot issues, other than to
say I never put much faith in the product information supplied by
Amazon. However, I can say that the "Shonen Jump"-type books are
intended to feature all-new (for the U.S. market) material.
In any event, redirecting a comic book line is not a turn-on-a-dime
proposition. Some tricky course corrections are involved, and the
final bearing is not necessarily going to be obvious from the initial
maneuvers taken to reach it.
Gary
Robert Hutchings
Upcoming Gemstone titles and re-re-reprinting
Message 13 -
2006-11-08 at 06:39:52
A few thoughts on Dean?s recent letter:
<<<So far I have thought Gemstone has done a pretty
good job concerning reprints. There have been some
Barks, Rosa, and Van Horn reprints, but they have not
dominated the titles. This seems to be changing
though. Even titles like the next two annuals and the
next Treasures TPB have more re-re-prints than before.
Along with the two new TPBs including either all or
mostly reprinted stories, how about a TPB that
contains all *new* stories? Is there so little
confidence that an all new TPB would just not sell?>>>
I certainly have no inside information, but this is my
suspicion. I strongly suspect that a comic with a
Rosa, Barks, or Van Horn story sells better than a
comic without one. Not only is there a kind of name
and style recognition thing?who besides the most
dedicated and observing readers can tell one European
writer from the next??but their stories are, generally
speaking, just plain better. That would translate to
better sales among buyers who don?t purchase every
Gemstone issue. Those of us who do buy every issue
recognize the quality coming out of Europe, but I
suspect other American buyers don?t. If any of this is
remotely accurate, it might suggest a marketing shift
from dedicated buyers to casual buyers. There are more
casual buyers than dedicated buyers, so pitch to the
casuals. As paper prices go up and more buyers?casual
and dedicated alike?drop out, this becomes even more
important. That?s my thinking, but again, I don?t have
any knowledge to back it up.
<<<Vacation Parade 4, Pygmy/Wendigo and the next Walt
Disney Treasures TPB which *all* feature Rosa
reprints! Does Gemstone feel it cannot sell even two
monthly titles without continually re-re-reprinting
Barks and Rosa stories? If so, I would at least like
them to come out and say so. If that is the case
though, I do not see much of a future for Disney
comics in North America. Also, what happens in say 3
or 4 years when they have reprinted all of Don's
stories again in U$ or WDC&S or annuals? >>>
These could all be tough problems. The Rosa features
in the TPBs and other one-shots might indicate the
marketing shift I mentioned a minute ago. Another
thing to consider, and this goes for all reprints, is
that it is probably cheaper to run a story that has
already been run before than it is to buy a new story.
The Rosa stories that have seen publication in the
United States have already been bought by an American
company; the price for reprinting has got to be lower
than the cost of purchasing a story from Europe,
especially when you factor in dialoguing and so forth.
If a company is financially stable, these extra costs
wouldn?t be as much a problem; if its not so stable,
then they would be prohibitive. Frankly, I wonder if
Gemstone is able to pay its operating costs on any of
its issues, or if its reliant on Diamond or EC or
something else. As for when Don?s stories have all
been reprinted, well, perhaps we?ll see the latter
decades of Western return, with whole issues
reprinted. What a horror, though I can?t imagine that
would be in the least profitable.
<<<I don't think the readers of any other line of
comics have to deal with getting so many re-reprints
all of the time. Try this example. Marvel Comics has
printed a monthly comic book called "Fantastic Four"
since the early 1960's. The first 100 or so issue
were done by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and are
considered classic stories. "FF" is still published
monthly to this day. Imagine though if every second
or third issue of "FF" had a Lee and Kirby reprint in
it? Would not that be absurd? Aren't readers each
month looking for *new* stories which they have not
read before? I don't think any other comic publisher
could get away with re-reprinting stories in their
monthly titles like we have to deal with Disney
comics!>>>
Again, I?m not familiar with the comic industry, but
Marvel is a different market. It?s like comparing
pomegranates (Gemstone) to oranges (Marvel). They?re
both fruits, but pomegranates just don?t sell as well
in this country. One can debate the reasons why
forever, but in the final analysis that?s just how it
is. Same with Gemstone and Marvel, I suspect.
<<<I would really like to hear what other members on
this mailing list who buy Gemstone comics monthly have
to think about this. And if there are people who *do*
like seeing re-re-reprints much more than new stories,
can you please explain why? Perhaps I am just not
seeing this the right way and someone can help me look
at it from a different view.>>>
I have long been outspoken in my emails to Gemstone
about reprints, but I?ve come to realize that in the
American market they?re necessary to keep costs lower.
Besides, a great many people, especially those casual
buyers, don?t have six or seven publications of the
same Barks or Rosa story. They don?t have any. When I
was a kid in the eighties, I was thrilled to see Barks
reprints. I wanted them all the time. It?s got to be
the same for kids now, if there are any, and those
casual buyers.
<<<At this point though I am losing much of my
enthusiasm for the future of Disney comics in North
America and I *love* Disney comics, even more than it
perhaps makes sense to do so! How exciting can it be
though to get even *more* copies of stories I already
have... Perhaps the new Shonen Jump style title will
focus on new stories. Yet I have a bad feeling that
Gemstone will take the "cheap" and "easy" way out and
just fill lots of them with more re-re-reprints.>>>
I too am apprehensive about the future; who wouldn?t
be after witnessing the 1980s and 1990s? I also love
Disney comics and have sunk a lot of time and money
into them. I was so excited I was nearly in tears when
Gemstone started publishing again. But, you know,
whether Gemstone makes it or not, this is how it goes.
Carl Barks stated several times he doubted that anyone
would be reading his stories in fifty years. Times
change he said, and people find different ways to
occupy themselves. That?s just the way it is. As for
Gemstone taking the ?cheap and easy? way out, if it?s
the only way out, who can blame them for taking it?
I?ve never met anyone at Gemstone, but I detect in
John Clark?s introductions and David Gerstein?s
periodic essays a genuine love for the stories. I?m
sure both of them, and everyone else there, could make
more money doing something else, but they remain with
Disney comics because they have a passion for them.
Given that, it?s grossly unfair to insinuate anything
to the contrary, even in the slightest. I seriously
doubt any of them is interested in ?cheap and easy?
except as a last ditch effort to keep Disney comics
alive.
____________________________________________________________________________________
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<<<So far I have thought Gemstone has done a pretty
good job concerning reprints. There have been some
Barks, Rosa, and Van Horn reprints, but they have not
dominated the titles. This seems to be changing
though. Even titles like the next two annuals and the
next Treasures TPB have more re-re-prints than before.
Along with the two new TPBs including either all or
mostly reprinted stories, how about a TPB that
contains all *new* stories? Is there so little
confidence that an all new TPB would just not sell?>>>
I certainly have no inside information, but this is my
suspicion. I strongly suspect that a comic with a
Rosa, Barks, or Van Horn story sells better than a
comic without one. Not only is there a kind of name
and style recognition thing?who besides the most
dedicated and observing readers can tell one European
writer from the next??but their stories are, generally
speaking, just plain better. That would translate to
better sales among buyers who don?t purchase every
Gemstone issue. Those of us who do buy every issue
recognize the quality coming out of Europe, but I
suspect other American buyers don?t. If any of this is
remotely accurate, it might suggest a marketing shift
from dedicated buyers to casual buyers. There are more
casual buyers than dedicated buyers, so pitch to the
casuals. As paper prices go up and more buyers?casual
and dedicated alike?drop out, this becomes even more
important. That?s my thinking, but again, I don?t have
any knowledge to back it up.
<<<Vacation Parade 4, Pygmy/Wendigo and the next Walt
Disney Treasures TPB which *all* feature Rosa
reprints! Does Gemstone feel it cannot sell even two
monthly titles without continually re-re-reprinting
Barks and Rosa stories? If so, I would at least like
them to come out and say so. If that is the case
though, I do not see much of a future for Disney
comics in North America. Also, what happens in say 3
or 4 years when they have reprinted all of Don's
stories again in U$ or WDC&S or annuals? >>>
These could all be tough problems. The Rosa features
in the TPBs and other one-shots might indicate the
marketing shift I mentioned a minute ago. Another
thing to consider, and this goes for all reprints, is
that it is probably cheaper to run a story that has
already been run before than it is to buy a new story.
The Rosa stories that have seen publication in the
United States have already been bought by an American
company; the price for reprinting has got to be lower
than the cost of purchasing a story from Europe,
especially when you factor in dialoguing and so forth.
If a company is financially stable, these extra costs
wouldn?t be as much a problem; if its not so stable,
then they would be prohibitive. Frankly, I wonder if
Gemstone is able to pay its operating costs on any of
its issues, or if its reliant on Diamond or EC or
something else. As for when Don?s stories have all
been reprinted, well, perhaps we?ll see the latter
decades of Western return, with whole issues
reprinted. What a horror, though I can?t imagine that
would be in the least profitable.
<<<I don't think the readers of any other line of
comics have to deal with getting so many re-reprints
all of the time. Try this example. Marvel Comics has
printed a monthly comic book called "Fantastic Four"
since the early 1960's. The first 100 or so issue
were done by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and are
considered classic stories. "FF" is still published
monthly to this day. Imagine though if every second
or third issue of "FF" had a Lee and Kirby reprint in
it? Would not that be absurd? Aren't readers each
month looking for *new* stories which they have not
read before? I don't think any other comic publisher
could get away with re-reprinting stories in their
monthly titles like we have to deal with Disney
comics!>>>
Again, I?m not familiar with the comic industry, but
Marvel is a different market. It?s like comparing
pomegranates (Gemstone) to oranges (Marvel). They?re
both fruits, but pomegranates just don?t sell as well
in this country. One can debate the reasons why
forever, but in the final analysis that?s just how it
is. Same with Gemstone and Marvel, I suspect.
<<<I would really like to hear what other members on
this mailing list who buy Gemstone comics monthly have
to think about this. And if there are people who *do*
like seeing re-re-reprints much more than new stories,
can you please explain why? Perhaps I am just not
seeing this the right way and someone can help me look
at it from a different view.>>>
I have long been outspoken in my emails to Gemstone
about reprints, but I?ve come to realize that in the
American market they?re necessary to keep costs lower.
Besides, a great many people, especially those casual
buyers, don?t have six or seven publications of the
same Barks or Rosa story. They don?t have any. When I
was a kid in the eighties, I was thrilled to see Barks
reprints. I wanted them all the time. It?s got to be
the same for kids now, if there are any, and those
casual buyers.
<<<At this point though I am losing much of my
enthusiasm for the future of Disney comics in North
America and I *love* Disney comics, even more than it
perhaps makes sense to do so! How exciting can it be
though to get even *more* copies of stories I already
have... Perhaps the new Shonen Jump style title will
focus on new stories. Yet I have a bad feeling that
Gemstone will take the "cheap" and "easy" way out and
just fill lots of them with more re-re-reprints.>>>
I too am apprehensive about the future; who wouldn?t
be after witnessing the 1980s and 1990s? I also love
Disney comics and have sunk a lot of time and money
into them. I was so excited I was nearly in tears when
Gemstone started publishing again. But, you know,
whether Gemstone makes it or not, this is how it goes.
Carl Barks stated several times he doubted that anyone
would be reading his stories in fifty years. Times
change he said, and people find different ways to
occupy themselves. That?s just the way it is. As for
Gemstone taking the ?cheap and easy? way out, if it?s
the only way out, who can blame them for taking it?
I?ve never met anyone at Gemstone, but I detect in
John Clark?s introductions and David Gerstein?s
periodic essays a genuine love for the stories. I?m
sure both of them, and everyone else there, could make
more money doing something else, but they remain with
Disney comics because they have a passion for them.
Given that, it?s grossly unfair to insinuate anything
to the contrary, even in the slightest. I seriously
doubt any of them is interested in ?cheap and easy?
except as a last ditch effort to keep Disney comics
alive.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Sponsored Link
For just $24.99/mo., Vonage offers unlimited local and long- distance calling.
Sign up now. http://www.vonage.com/startsavingnow/
Leo Schulte
The Market
Message 14 -
2006-11-08 at 14:53:50
Many thanks to David Gerstein for his reply to my earlier comments! I
will also add my thanks for his efforts in keeping the Disney Comics
tradition alive, despite what is happening in the market.
I still do occasionally buy the comic books for my niece, but since I am
a Catholic school teacher in difficult financial waters, the rising price
of the books is a problem for me.
One thing to keep in mind is the decline in the number of children: the
negative birth rate in Europe is well documented. And even in the U.S.,
without immigrants, the birth rate here would not be the best either.
And since many immigrants often do not have the extra money for a comic
book costing nearly $9.00 now, that is not much of a market either.
It would seem, however, that the cheaper books would be an excellent way
for immigrant children to learn English. In reverse, I have used Disney
Comics in my German and Latin courses throughout the years. Exactly how
immigrant populations could be targeted for Disney Comics is something
Gemstone would have to work on: it would not be an impossible problem
to solve.
As a result of the lower birth rates, the market is small and becoming
smaller. If the next generation decides to have more children, then
comic books might survive beyond the collector's market.
--
Search for products and services at:
http://search.mail.com
will also add my thanks for his efforts in keeping the Disney Comics
tradition alive, despite what is happening in the market.
I still do occasionally buy the comic books for my niece, but since I am
a Catholic school teacher in difficult financial waters, the rising price
of the books is a problem for me.
One thing to keep in mind is the decline in the number of children: the
negative birth rate in Europe is well documented. And even in the U.S.,
without immigrants, the birth rate here would not be the best either.
And since many immigrants often do not have the extra money for a comic
book costing nearly $9.00 now, that is not much of a market either.
It would seem, however, that the cheaper books would be an excellent way
for immigrant children to learn English. In reverse, I have used Disney
Comics in my German and Latin courses throughout the years. Exactly how
immigrant populations could be targeted for Disney Comics is something
Gemstone would have to work on: it would not be an impossible problem
to solve.
As a result of the lower birth rates, the market is small and becoming
smaller. If the next generation decides to have more children, then
comic books might survive beyond the collector's market.
--
Search for products and services at:
http://search.mail.com
Deanmary
Re-re-reprints
Message 15 -
2006-11-08 at 17:04:42
First off, thanks to *everyone* who wrote to the ML about some of the topics I brought up. I am thrilled to read what some others have to say and what they think about these issues. Whether they agree with me or not, does not matter one bit. What I was worried about was that *no one* would care enough about this to even contribute their thoughts and ideas to the ML... Thankfully that was not the case though!
David, thanks so much for your thoughtful and specific responses! I am so glad that someone at Gemstone (I am *not* forgetting you either Gary :)) took the time to write to the ML. Sorry I got my figures wrong and said there are 4 Rosa's stories through August in U$ when there are only 3. I am also sorry if I did not quite remember what Gemstone did in the past regarding Rosa and Barks reprints
Yes, you have printed a Rosa story in about 4 issues of U$ each year. Up to very recently though, most of these Rosa stories have been *new* stories though. From what Don has written on this mailing list, it does not look like we will be seeing a new Rosa story anytime soon. If I remember what he wrote right, he is thinking of maybe starting a new story sometime this upcoming spring. If he does start one then, I still do not imagine it being reading for printing until sometime in 2008. So that leaves us with no new Rosa stories for well over a year. Does Gemstone *still* plan on printing a Rosa story in every third issue of U$ even if they are all reprints? I guess I am saying that I think there is a big difference in giving Rosa a quarterly spot in U$ when it is mostly new stories compared to *all* reprints? Of course we would all love if Don would produce many more stories and at a faster rate. Wouldn't it be heaven to have a new Rosa story in every issue of U$? :) That is just not the case though and in my opinion when all we have is Rosa reprints, I do not think they should be in U$ as often as when there were mostly new stories to print.
As regards to the new Walt Disney Treasures TPB coming out next summer, of course it is fine to have a Rosa reprint. It just seems that a *very* high percentage of the total contents of this TPB are reprints. Couldn't we have at least half of the volume contain new stories?
David, is there any thought being given to at least trying out a TPB with *all* new material? Of course I can not say if this would sell well or not. However I don't think anyone can know until one such volume is tried. Is there are hope for such a TPB volume in the future, or am I just hoping for something that likely will never occur?
Another question: Is there any chance Gemstone will produce a regular ongoing title that focused on reprinted stories? You could call it "The Best of Barks", "Walt Disney Classics" or probably 100 or other so even better titles. Since you say that so many people request reprints by Barks, Rosa, Van Horn, and others, is there a reason why you think such an ongoing reprint title would not be viable? To me that way would be the best of both worlds. Readers who do not already own all of these classic stories could buy this title, and that would leave the whole space of the two other monthly titles for new stories. Or do you think there is not enough of a demand for separate new and reprint titles?
Perhaps I went overboard about the lack of new stories being reprinted. However I still do have concerns. For example, it now looks like WDC&S will have the monthly Barks 10 pager that DD&F used to have. I just think that when we are down to only two monthly titles it is a shame to automatically lose 10 pages of WDC&S each month to a Barks reprint. The less pages being printed each month, the less I think can afford to be given to reprints.
Now perhaps this is just my imagination, but it seems that both Spring Fever 1 and Vacation Parade 4 are dominated by reprints. It seems that some previous annuals had a least somewhat more of a balance of old to new stories.
You mention that most readers seems to prefer a mix of old and new stories, but that of course Gemstone would love to hear more opinions. That gave me an idea. Is there anyway you could take an online poll of this issue at gemstonepub.com? I think it would be great if in upcoming Gemstone comics you could direct readers to the Gemstone website and have them vote for which types of stories they would prefer to read. Not only might you get an even better read of what people want, but you could then direct them to check out Gemstone's "Scoop" website and other possible online content.
As for your opinion that if there were only one "Fantastic Four" title a month that you could see frequent reprints in it, I guess we will just have to disagree. Of course since you actually publish comics and I don't I am not sure how much my opinion is worth! :)
Gary I am thrilled to hear that the "Shonen Jump" style title is intended to contain all new stories! I think that is a fantastic decision and really hope it works out. Two quick questions. One, do you have a ball park idea of when the first of these titles might be published? Two, will this title contain long stories like used to be in MMA and DDA, shorter stories that might have appeared if MM&F and DD&F were still around, or some of each? See what your "reward" is for being so nice and contributing to the mailing list: even more questions! :)
You also made a good point about how things Gemstone initially might appear to be taking with a re-direction might not be how things end up in the long run. I will have to try and be more patient.
Thanks also for what you wrote Robert. I very much apologize if my comments that Gemstone might take the "cheap" and "easy" way out with its upcoming Shonen Jump style titles offended anyone on the list or at Gemstone. What I meant was that I was worried that the "cheap" and "easy" way would be their *only* choice or that they would go to it without trying new stories first. I have *no* doubt in my mind that for the people at Gemstone, producing Disney comics is a labor of love. I talked a bit with John Clark at the Baltimore comic convention in 2005 and you could just see in his face and by what he said how big a love he has for Disney comics. I agree with you 100% Robert that most if not all of the people at Gemstone could be making more money at some other job. I am *very* thankful for everyone at Gemstone for doing what they do!
Robert, you mention that you were nearly in tears when Gemstone started publishing Disney comics again. Boy, can I relate to that! When Gladstone ended I shed *many* real tears about it! :( Most people would probably view that as silly, and perhaps they are right. However Disney comics mean SO much to me that I was just *devastated* when they went away. As far as for when I heard Gemstone was going to start printing Disney comics again, that is another story. My girlfriend was already well asleep when I read late in the night on a comics website that Gemstone was going to start printing Disney comics again. I was *so* excited and happy that I immediately woke her up and dragged her to the computer so she could read the good news too! :) While the news did not directly bear on her as much as me (imagine that! :), she was *so* happy and thrilled for me that something that I had missed for so long was coming back! In the next day or two we went out for a special dinner to celebrate she had just been offered a new job *and* that Disney comics were coming back!
Rodney, thanks so much for letting us know that paper prices are indeed going up incredibly fast. It is good to hear that news, even if that news is bad, if you know what I mean. So apparently this increase in the price of paper is going to affect me even beyond Disney comics! :( Since so much of my free time is spent not just on reading comic books, but also books, magazines, newspapers, etc., it looks like my wallet is going to be hit all over! :( I will just have to pay more though as their is no way I am going to cut down on reading!
Finally, thanks again to everyone who wrote and I hope more people continue to add their two cents to the discussion. I will be waiting with bated breath for any more info David and Gary can share. I will *try* to be patient, but boy is it hard! :)
Dean Rekich
David, thanks so much for your thoughtful and specific responses! I am so glad that someone at Gemstone (I am *not* forgetting you either Gary :)) took the time to write to the ML. Sorry I got my figures wrong and said there are 4 Rosa's stories through August in U$ when there are only 3. I am also sorry if I did not quite remember what Gemstone did in the past regarding Rosa and Barks reprints
Yes, you have printed a Rosa story in about 4 issues of U$ each year. Up to very recently though, most of these Rosa stories have been *new* stories though. From what Don has written on this mailing list, it does not look like we will be seeing a new Rosa story anytime soon. If I remember what he wrote right, he is thinking of maybe starting a new story sometime this upcoming spring. If he does start one then, I still do not imagine it being reading for printing until sometime in 2008. So that leaves us with no new Rosa stories for well over a year. Does Gemstone *still* plan on printing a Rosa story in every third issue of U$ even if they are all reprints? I guess I am saying that I think there is a big difference in giving Rosa a quarterly spot in U$ when it is mostly new stories compared to *all* reprints? Of course we would all love if Don would produce many more stories and at a faster rate. Wouldn't it be heaven to have a new Rosa story in every issue of U$? :) That is just not the case though and in my opinion when all we have is Rosa reprints, I do not think they should be in U$ as often as when there were mostly new stories to print.
As regards to the new Walt Disney Treasures TPB coming out next summer, of course it is fine to have a Rosa reprint. It just seems that a *very* high percentage of the total contents of this TPB are reprints. Couldn't we have at least half of the volume contain new stories?
David, is there any thought being given to at least trying out a TPB with *all* new material? Of course I can not say if this would sell well or not. However I don't think anyone can know until one such volume is tried. Is there are hope for such a TPB volume in the future, or am I just hoping for something that likely will never occur?
Another question: Is there any chance Gemstone will produce a regular ongoing title that focused on reprinted stories? You could call it "The Best of Barks", "Walt Disney Classics" or probably 100 or other so even better titles. Since you say that so many people request reprints by Barks, Rosa, Van Horn, and others, is there a reason why you think such an ongoing reprint title would not be viable? To me that way would be the best of both worlds. Readers who do not already own all of these classic stories could buy this title, and that would leave the whole space of the two other monthly titles for new stories. Or do you think there is not enough of a demand for separate new and reprint titles?
Perhaps I went overboard about the lack of new stories being reprinted. However I still do have concerns. For example, it now looks like WDC&S will have the monthly Barks 10 pager that DD&F used to have. I just think that when we are down to only two monthly titles it is a shame to automatically lose 10 pages of WDC&S each month to a Barks reprint. The less pages being printed each month, the less I think can afford to be given to reprints.
Now perhaps this is just my imagination, but it seems that both Spring Fever 1 and Vacation Parade 4 are dominated by reprints. It seems that some previous annuals had a least somewhat more of a balance of old to new stories.
You mention that most readers seems to prefer a mix of old and new stories, but that of course Gemstone would love to hear more opinions. That gave me an idea. Is there anyway you could take an online poll of this issue at gemstonepub.com? I think it would be great if in upcoming Gemstone comics you could direct readers to the Gemstone website and have them vote for which types of stories they would prefer to read. Not only might you get an even better read of what people want, but you could then direct them to check out Gemstone's "Scoop" website and other possible online content.
As for your opinion that if there were only one "Fantastic Four" title a month that you could see frequent reprints in it, I guess we will just have to disagree. Of course since you actually publish comics and I don't I am not sure how much my opinion is worth! :)
Gary I am thrilled to hear that the "Shonen Jump" style title is intended to contain all new stories! I think that is a fantastic decision and really hope it works out. Two quick questions. One, do you have a ball park idea of when the first of these titles might be published? Two, will this title contain long stories like used to be in MMA and DDA, shorter stories that might have appeared if MM&F and DD&F were still around, or some of each? See what your "reward" is for being so nice and contributing to the mailing list: even more questions! :)
You also made a good point about how things Gemstone initially might appear to be taking with a re-direction might not be how things end up in the long run. I will have to try and be more patient.
Thanks also for what you wrote Robert. I very much apologize if my comments that Gemstone might take the "cheap" and "easy" way out with its upcoming Shonen Jump style titles offended anyone on the list or at Gemstone. What I meant was that I was worried that the "cheap" and "easy" way would be their *only* choice or that they would go to it without trying new stories first. I have *no* doubt in my mind that for the people at Gemstone, producing Disney comics is a labor of love. I talked a bit with John Clark at the Baltimore comic convention in 2005 and you could just see in his face and by what he said how big a love he has for Disney comics. I agree with you 100% Robert that most if not all of the people at Gemstone could be making more money at some other job. I am *very* thankful for everyone at Gemstone for doing what they do!
Robert, you mention that you were nearly in tears when Gemstone started publishing Disney comics again. Boy, can I relate to that! When Gladstone ended I shed *many* real tears about it! :( Most people would probably view that as silly, and perhaps they are right. However Disney comics mean SO much to me that I was just *devastated* when they went away. As far as for when I heard Gemstone was going to start printing Disney comics again, that is another story. My girlfriend was already well asleep when I read late in the night on a comics website that Gemstone was going to start printing Disney comics again. I was *so* excited and happy that I immediately woke her up and dragged her to the computer so she could read the good news too! :) While the news did not directly bear on her as much as me (imagine that! :), she was *so* happy and thrilled for me that something that I had missed for so long was coming back! In the next day or two we went out for a special dinner to celebrate she had just been offered a new job *and* that Disney comics were coming back!
Rodney, thanks so much for letting us know that paper prices are indeed going up incredibly fast. It is good to hear that news, even if that news is bad, if you know what I mean. So apparently this increase in the price of paper is going to affect me even beyond Disney comics! :( Since so much of my free time is spent not just on reading comic books, but also books, magazines, newspapers, etc., it looks like my wallet is going to be hit all over! :( I will just have to pay more though as their is no way I am going to cut down on reading!
Finally, thanks again to everyone who wrote and I hope more people continue to add their two cents to the discussion. I will be waiting with bated breath for any more info David and Gary can share. I will *try* to be patient, but boy is it hard! :)
Dean Rekich