I was amazed over Thanksgiving to see a FREE comic book as part of the
Sunday newspaper: A reprint of a classic Spiderman story, complete of
course with a few ads. This appeared in the Lima News: Lima is a city of
c. 40,000 people in west central Ohio.
From what I can tell, with the backlash against violence these days among
parents with small children, I think a free Uncle Scrooge or Donald Duck
in the Sunday newspaper might be something for Gemstone to consider
also.
(On a similar vein, today's (Dec. 1) Wall Street Journal has an article
about the backlash against obscene humor,and the rise of "G-rated"
comedians.)
--
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Author
Topic: 200612
(65 messages)
Leo Schulte
Building Readership
Message 1 -
2006-12-01 at 15:00:30
Margaret Rutledge
Gemstone
Message 2 -
2006-12-01 at 20:56:11
My family is very, very happy with Gemstone, and we wish them all the
best. It is very sad that Disney doesn't help with the promotions,
but they have their own Disney Adventures publication to push. It has
comics in it too, but not with the classic characters.
My brother and I loved the duck comics when we were children, and as
an adult I bought them whenever I saw one, so I have lots of old Gold
Key comics. When Gladstone began publication I subscribed
immediately, and my children grew up on Uncle Scrooge and Donald
Duck. My son later moved on to Groo and Asterix, but still reads
every new one I get when he comes home from college. He loves Don Rosa.
We followed the Gemstone's efforts to get publishing rights since the
Carl Barks fan club newsletter had updates on the incredible struggle
negotiating with Disney's ever changing legal team. Steve Geppi
deserves a lot of credit for persistence, and he must have done it
for love because a normal businessman would have thrown up their
hands and walked away.
The Gemstone people have all been very nice to us when we stop by
their booth at Comic-Con. Last year they saved their only copy of the
Duck Tales collection for me to buy after they showed it at their
panel. We've met Don Rosa several times now, and once he talked to
the children for quite a while. I gave my son a signed copy of The
Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck for a high school graduation present.
I live in southern California and personally complained at
Disneyland's city hall because they don't sell the comics, and didn't
give them out during Free Comic Book Day. I have always thought
Disney's reputation for marketing was undeserved - you couldn't find
any movie-related items at the parks when Pirates of the Caribbean
was packing them in at the box office. My daughter had to buy her
Aztec gold necklace at a Lord of the Rings convention! I was told
Disney didn't own the marketing rights to everything Disney-related,
but that sounded pretty lame to me.
Margaret Rutledge
margaretrutledge at earthlink.net
best. It is very sad that Disney doesn't help with the promotions,
but they have their own Disney Adventures publication to push. It has
comics in it too, but not with the classic characters.
My brother and I loved the duck comics when we were children, and as
an adult I bought them whenever I saw one, so I have lots of old Gold
Key comics. When Gladstone began publication I subscribed
immediately, and my children grew up on Uncle Scrooge and Donald
Duck. My son later moved on to Groo and Asterix, but still reads
every new one I get when he comes home from college. He loves Don Rosa.
We followed the Gemstone's efforts to get publishing rights since the
Carl Barks fan club newsletter had updates on the incredible struggle
negotiating with Disney's ever changing legal team. Steve Geppi
deserves a lot of credit for persistence, and he must have done it
for love because a normal businessman would have thrown up their
hands and walked away.
The Gemstone people have all been very nice to us when we stop by
their booth at Comic-Con. Last year they saved their only copy of the
Duck Tales collection for me to buy after they showed it at their
panel. We've met Don Rosa several times now, and once he talked to
the children for quite a while. I gave my son a signed copy of The
Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck for a high school graduation present.
I live in southern California and personally complained at
Disneyland's city hall because they don't sell the comics, and didn't
give them out during Free Comic Book Day. I have always thought
Disney's reputation for marketing was undeserved - you couldn't find
any movie-related items at the parks when Pirates of the Caribbean
was packing them in at the box office. My daughter had to buy her
Aztec gold necklace at a Lord of the Rings convention! I was told
Disney didn't own the marketing rights to everything Disney-related,
but that sounded pretty lame to me.
Margaret Rutledge
margaretrutledge at earthlink.net
Deanmary
Chuck's reply
Message 3 -
2006-12-01 at 22:45:16
Chuck, thanks so much for your reply and thoughts about these issues. I wish I was as good a wordsmith as you are! You very eloquently stated your views on these subjects.
There is nothing to apologize for being an optimist and wearing rose-colored glasses. If someone does not like that aspect about you, that is their problem. I tend to like to view things as a realist: not too gloomy looking but not too rosy either. I hope I succeed at that most of the times, but of course it is easy to give in to pessimism.
I too wonder about the future of Disney comics not just here in North America, but over the world. Who knows if they will be gone before or after your 2030 guess. I of course want them to last as long as possible. I must admit that my main concern is for their continuing to be new Disney comics in the USA. If that is selfish, so be it.
If I understand you right (perhaps I am wrong), you would have preferred Gemstone raise the price of the $2.95 titles instead of putting them on "hiatus". I feel exactly the same way. I would much rather them have gone up to $3.50 or even $4.00 than for them to have been cancelled. I imagine that sentiment may make some people angry, but I really value Disney comics and am willing to pay a higher price than I would like if that is what it takes to keep them being published. Of course many others would not pay a higher price and that is perfectly OK as well.
While some of the upcoming "one shots" and the two new annuals are nice, I think there is a better solution. I mentioned it before, so bear with me. How about having a monthly "Donald and Mickey" 64 page prestige title? It would only cost a little more than the 2 monthly $2.95 titles and you would end up with the same amount of pages. If sales and profits are enough for the two current prestige titles, why not make a third one in a format that seems to be working for Gemstone? I would be interested in what Chuck and others think about this. Would people like to see a third monthly prestige title?
Gary and David have answered *so* many questions that I don't blame them if they don't feel like answering any more. However, if either of you are in a generous mood, could you tell us if there is a chance for a 3rd prestige monthly title in the foreseeable future? If not, is it because you don't think it would sell enough copies or for other reasons?
Thanks again Chuck for taking the time to write such a nice reply. I certainly hope the larger life issues you are dealing with all work out.
As always, I would love to hear from other list members with their ideas and opinions about Gemstone.
Dean Rekich
There is nothing to apologize for being an optimist and wearing rose-colored glasses. If someone does not like that aspect about you, that is their problem. I tend to like to view things as a realist: not too gloomy looking but not too rosy either. I hope I succeed at that most of the times, but of course it is easy to give in to pessimism.
I too wonder about the future of Disney comics not just here in North America, but over the world. Who knows if they will be gone before or after your 2030 guess. I of course want them to last as long as possible. I must admit that my main concern is for their continuing to be new Disney comics in the USA. If that is selfish, so be it.
If I understand you right (perhaps I am wrong), you would have preferred Gemstone raise the price of the $2.95 titles instead of putting them on "hiatus". I feel exactly the same way. I would much rather them have gone up to $3.50 or even $4.00 than for them to have been cancelled. I imagine that sentiment may make some people angry, but I really value Disney comics and am willing to pay a higher price than I would like if that is what it takes to keep them being published. Of course many others would not pay a higher price and that is perfectly OK as well.
While some of the upcoming "one shots" and the two new annuals are nice, I think there is a better solution. I mentioned it before, so bear with me. How about having a monthly "Donald and Mickey" 64 page prestige title? It would only cost a little more than the 2 monthly $2.95 titles and you would end up with the same amount of pages. If sales and profits are enough for the two current prestige titles, why not make a third one in a format that seems to be working for Gemstone? I would be interested in what Chuck and others think about this. Would people like to see a third monthly prestige title?
Gary and David have answered *so* many questions that I don't blame them if they don't feel like answering any more. However, if either of you are in a generous mood, could you tell us if there is a chance for a 3rd prestige monthly title in the foreseeable future? If not, is it because you don't think it would sell enough copies or for other reasons?
Thanks again Chuck for taking the time to write such a nice reply. I certainly hope the larger life issues you are dealing with all work out.
As always, I would love to hear from other list members with their ideas and opinions about Gemstone.
Dean Rekich
Rich
Chuck's reply
Message 4 -
2006-12-02 at 12:53:41
I've been silently and sadly following th discussion about Gemstone's changes for quite a while now, and I just thought I'd
chime in.
First, I, too, whant to thank Gary, David and the rest of those who have diligently tried to produce a product that has been a
part of my life for decades! I appreciate all teh work Gemstone and its USA predecessors have accomplished on my behalf.
Now, as to Dean's comments:
"While some of the upcoming "one shots" and the two new annuals are nice, I think there is a better solution. I mentioned it
before, so bear with me. How about having a monthly "Donald and Mickey" 64 page prestige title? It would only cost a little
more than the 2 monthly $2.95 titles and you would end up with the same amount of pages. If sales and profits are enough
for the two current prestige titles, why not make a third one in a format that seems to be working for Gemstone? I would be
interested in what Chuck and others think about this. Would people like to see a third monthly prestige title?"
Of course I can't honestly say I'd be elated with paying more, but I am sure I'd dig in and do so just the same. Yes, I'd rather
pay a little more to continue to buy something I am enjoying than to silently let it fade away. Maybe the "third" prestige book
is the answer? I don't know... I just don't want to see all the imported stories disappear. I am enjoying ALL of the titles
(especially those that are on the chopping block, due to the fresh new stories, from a USA perspective). I actually want MORE
titles... more variety presenting such stories as those seen in Italy, like the newer Junior Woodchuck stories with Bertie
McGoose and Clarice van Scout as Scout Leaders... I fear the chance of those ever being published here has just been flushed
down the drain! *sigh* Maybe some sort of "collection" of stories presented in Graphic Novel format? I wish to see more
Mickey & Atomo Bleep-Bleep, Bruto and Ellsworth stories. Pete & Trudy. and so much more.
I'm a bit saddened by the turn of events, but I also felt a need to speak up for those, like Chuck and Dean, who are optimists.
The world needs more optimists.
Thanks,
Rich
(Email removed)
"Life is meant to be lived in Eternal Joy, Infinite Freedom, Unconditional Love and Unbounded Awareness. Any other life is
utterly missing the point of being born a human." -MSI
---- Msg sent via CWNet - http://www.cwnet.com/
chime in.
First, I, too, whant to thank Gary, David and the rest of those who have diligently tried to produce a product that has been a
part of my life for decades! I appreciate all teh work Gemstone and its USA predecessors have accomplished on my behalf.
Now, as to Dean's comments:
"While some of the upcoming "one shots" and the two new annuals are nice, I think there is a better solution. I mentioned it
before, so bear with me. How about having a monthly "Donald and Mickey" 64 page prestige title? It would only cost a little
more than the 2 monthly $2.95 titles and you would end up with the same amount of pages. If sales and profits are enough
for the two current prestige titles, why not make a third one in a format that seems to be working for Gemstone? I would be
interested in what Chuck and others think about this. Would people like to see a third monthly prestige title?"
Of course I can't honestly say I'd be elated with paying more, but I am sure I'd dig in and do so just the same. Yes, I'd rather
pay a little more to continue to buy something I am enjoying than to silently let it fade away. Maybe the "third" prestige book
is the answer? I don't know... I just don't want to see all the imported stories disappear. I am enjoying ALL of the titles
(especially those that are on the chopping block, due to the fresh new stories, from a USA perspective). I actually want MORE
titles... more variety presenting such stories as those seen in Italy, like the newer Junior Woodchuck stories with Bertie
McGoose and Clarice van Scout as Scout Leaders... I fear the chance of those ever being published here has just been flushed
down the drain! *sigh* Maybe some sort of "collection" of stories presented in Graphic Novel format? I wish to see more
Mickey & Atomo Bleep-Bleep, Bruto and Ellsworth stories. Pete & Trudy. and so much more.
I'm a bit saddened by the turn of events, but I also felt a need to speak up for those, like Chuck and Dean, who are optimists.
The world needs more optimists.
Thanks,
Rich
(Email removed)
"Life is meant to be lived in Eternal Joy, Infinite Freedom, Unconditional Love and Unbounded Awareness. Any other life is
utterly missing the point of being born a human." -MSI
---- Msg sent via CWNet - http://www.cwnet.com/
Gary Leach
Peering through the haze
Message 5 -
2006-12-02 at 20:09:38
Chuck, Dean, Margaret:
Can't think what I could add to the remarks you've all recently made
on the DCML, but here are some observations of mine in relation:
The demise of the newsstand titles leaves me with mixed feelings. On
a purely business level, continuing them at any price point wasn't
feasible, because the format requires a volume level of printing and
distribution that, though anticipated and sought, just wasn't able to
be achieved. Personally, I still have a lot of affection for the 32-
page magazine - it is, of course, the format I grew up with - but I
have to admit these days I prefer my comics in handy, reasonably
affordable books and book collections. The question remains, will
books reach the kids, or is it still worth trying to reach them with
the 32-pager?
I don't really know, but the old put-'em-out-there-and-they-will-find-
them newsstand approach plainly no longer works. Not that this is
news; the signs were there before the Silver Age even started.
The reason Gemstone can - and will - continue with the prestige
titles is that the format is not burdened by the newsstand business
model. The very methods of printing them allow for much smaller print
runs that can cover costs and even make modest profits in the direct
market. It isn't possible to draw the newsstand format down to that
level with any hope of even covering costs, unless you price them at
a level that would make the prestige books seem like amazing bargains
by comparison.
While there is no third prestige title presently in the works, it is
possible that one will join the line eventually. And the one-shots,
as I may have mentioned before, show some promise of earning their
way in the direct and bookstore markets over time.
As for the parks, the relations between them and the parent company
continue to leave me scratching my head. I do think, though, that
these days comics are difficult for those shopping for the park
vendors to perceive as having much to do with what they're out to
sell - namely, souvenirs of the park experience.
Dean: no news on the Shonen Jump-style titles at this time.
Gary
Can't think what I could add to the remarks you've all recently made
on the DCML, but here are some observations of mine in relation:
The demise of the newsstand titles leaves me with mixed feelings. On
a purely business level, continuing them at any price point wasn't
feasible, because the format requires a volume level of printing and
distribution that, though anticipated and sought, just wasn't able to
be achieved. Personally, I still have a lot of affection for the 32-
page magazine - it is, of course, the format I grew up with - but I
have to admit these days I prefer my comics in handy, reasonably
affordable books and book collections. The question remains, will
books reach the kids, or is it still worth trying to reach them with
the 32-pager?
I don't really know, but the old put-'em-out-there-and-they-will-find-
them newsstand approach plainly no longer works. Not that this is
news; the signs were there before the Silver Age even started.
The reason Gemstone can - and will - continue with the prestige
titles is that the format is not burdened by the newsstand business
model. The very methods of printing them allow for much smaller print
runs that can cover costs and even make modest profits in the direct
market. It isn't possible to draw the newsstand format down to that
level with any hope of even covering costs, unless you price them at
a level that would make the prestige books seem like amazing bargains
by comparison.
While there is no third prestige title presently in the works, it is
possible that one will join the line eventually. And the one-shots,
as I may have mentioned before, show some promise of earning their
way in the direct and bookstore markets over time.
As for the parks, the relations between them and the parent company
continue to leave me scratching my head. I do think, though, that
these days comics are difficult for those shopping for the park
vendors to perceive as having much to do with what they're out to
sell - namely, souvenirs of the park experience.
Dean: no news on the Shonen Jump-style titles at this time.
Gary
Ole Damgaard
Luciano Bottaro died today
Message 6 -
2006-12-03 at 20:34:51
Francois and others wrote:
> Luciano Bottaro died today
This was sad news to me too. We have lost another great cartoonist.
The danish 'Jumbobog' pocketbooks were filled with Bottaro stories in my
childhood, so I was actually introduced to Disney comics by for instance
Bottaro, among others.(Chierchini, Capitanio, Scarpa, the DeVita's, and
the list goes on.) So Bottaros weird, but imaginative and great Disney
comics have always had a special place in my heart. I especially like the
adventures with Nocciola and her various monsters.
/ole
> Luciano Bottaro died today
This was sad news to me too. We have lost another great cartoonist.
The danish 'Jumbobog' pocketbooks were filled with Bottaro stories in my
childhood, so I was actually introduced to Disney comics by for instance
Bottaro, among others.(Chierchini, Capitanio, Scarpa, the DeVita's, and
the list goes on.) So Bottaros weird, but imaginative and great Disney
comics have always had a special place in my heart. I especially like the
adventures with Nocciola and her various monsters.
/ole
JTorci3511
Gemstone Reaction and Suggestion.
Message 7 -
2006-12-03 at 22:28:22
Everyone:
Let's hear it for Chuck, Dean, Robert (...all great guys, as my experience
has shown) and everyone else who's acted as voices of reason in the Gemstone
situation.
Some of the comments I read here were downright shameful. Ungrateful to the
almost Herculean efforts of Steve Geppi to secure a comics publishing
license from the monolithic Disney Enterprises, Inc., disrespectful to the memory
of Bruce Hamilton who, even though I sometimes disagreed with his direction
during the Gladstone II days, is directly responsible for all we as American
fans have today, and unappreciative of the efforts of David, and Gary to
communicate with us (and do it "square", to paraphrase a favorite character) during
this difficult time!
So, let's keep it on an even keel -- as it has been lately -- and see what
happens.
Also, let me "second" Dean's suggestion for a prestige Donald and Mickey
title. As with all "Great Minds", I've expressed a similar idea in a letter I
sent to WDC&S #675 last week, some of which I'll excerpt here:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------
The month of November brought some sad news from Gemstone, concerning the
(hopefully temporary) cancellation of DONALD DUCK AND FRIENDS and MICKEY MOUSE
AND FRIENDS. The first unhappy news, I must point out, since the coming of
Gemstone some 3 ? years ago? still pretty good by any standard.
Rather than echo some of the criticisms posted online concerning the
cancellations and content of the remaining titles, I?d prefer to thank the team at
Gemstone for their superlative efforts thus far, and pledge my support for
future projects.
Still, for me, it is a blow to lose the abovementioned titles. More so than
any other title, format, or packaging, they were the ?real deal?. The
direct descendents of the Dell DONALD DUCK and MICKEY MOUSE titles, to which we
all owe so much.
Oddly, as these titles ?leave the building?, we also receive what is, in my
opinion at least, the BEST issue of WDC&S published by Gemstone? and maybe
one of the best ever. With the three meaty continued stories; ?The Orb Saga?
, Gottfredson?s ?Mickey Mouse Joins the Foreign Legion?, and the unexpected
surprise of ?The Protector of Shambor? ? not to mention the hijinks of a
good William Van Horn snowball-throwing romp ? I find myself anticipating the ?
next issue? in a way I haven?t since the original run of ?The Return of the
Phantom Blot? in 1964.
Could that anticipation lead to possible inspiration? Consider this? If the
squarebound format of WDC&S and UNCLE SCROOGE is, as indications show, a
successful one, WDC&S # 675 is a perfect example of how great a prestige DONALD
AND MICKEY title could be!
Frankly, I?m not at all interested in the reported thick black and white
collections. Excepting that material originally seen as daily newspaper strips,
these comics were MEANT TO BE IN COLOR! And, in such a DONALD AND MICKEY
title, they would be! It could encompass the material that would have appeared
in the departed titles, and would be the perfect place for classic reprints
ranging from ?Lost in the Andes? to ?The Red Wasp Mystery?, as well as Barks
ten-pagers, Romano Scarpa?s Duck and Mouse adventures, and new works from
fan-favorite contemporary creators.
We might have lost four titles, including the DD and MM ?Take-Alongs?, but
we need not miss a beat with such a welcome alternative to take up the slack!
Please give it some consideration.
---------------------------------------------------------------
So, hopefully, between Dean's suggestion and mine, we can give "legs" to
this idea!
Joe Torcivia.
Let's hear it for Chuck, Dean, Robert (...all great guys, as my experience
has shown) and everyone else who's acted as voices of reason in the Gemstone
situation.
Some of the comments I read here were downright shameful. Ungrateful to the
almost Herculean efforts of Steve Geppi to secure a comics publishing
license from the monolithic Disney Enterprises, Inc., disrespectful to the memory
of Bruce Hamilton who, even though I sometimes disagreed with his direction
during the Gladstone II days, is directly responsible for all we as American
fans have today, and unappreciative of the efforts of David, and Gary to
communicate with us (and do it "square", to paraphrase a favorite character) during
this difficult time!
So, let's keep it on an even keel -- as it has been lately -- and see what
happens.
Also, let me "second" Dean's suggestion for a prestige Donald and Mickey
title. As with all "Great Minds", I've expressed a similar idea in a letter I
sent to WDC&S #675 last week, some of which I'll excerpt here:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------
The month of November brought some sad news from Gemstone, concerning the
(hopefully temporary) cancellation of DONALD DUCK AND FRIENDS and MICKEY MOUSE
AND FRIENDS. The first unhappy news, I must point out, since the coming of
Gemstone some 3 ? years ago? still pretty good by any standard.
Rather than echo some of the criticisms posted online concerning the
cancellations and content of the remaining titles, I?d prefer to thank the team at
Gemstone for their superlative efforts thus far, and pledge my support for
future projects.
Still, for me, it is a blow to lose the abovementioned titles. More so than
any other title, format, or packaging, they were the ?real deal?. The
direct descendents of the Dell DONALD DUCK and MICKEY MOUSE titles, to which we
all owe so much.
Oddly, as these titles ?leave the building?, we also receive what is, in my
opinion at least, the BEST issue of WDC&S published by Gemstone? and maybe
one of the best ever. With the three meaty continued stories; ?The Orb Saga?
, Gottfredson?s ?Mickey Mouse Joins the Foreign Legion?, and the unexpected
surprise of ?The Protector of Shambor? ? not to mention the hijinks of a
good William Van Horn snowball-throwing romp ? I find myself anticipating the ?
next issue? in a way I haven?t since the original run of ?The Return of the
Phantom Blot? in 1964.
Could that anticipation lead to possible inspiration? Consider this? If the
squarebound format of WDC&S and UNCLE SCROOGE is, as indications show, a
successful one, WDC&S # 675 is a perfect example of how great a prestige DONALD
AND MICKEY title could be!
Frankly, I?m not at all interested in the reported thick black and white
collections. Excepting that material originally seen as daily newspaper strips,
these comics were MEANT TO BE IN COLOR! And, in such a DONALD AND MICKEY
title, they would be! It could encompass the material that would have appeared
in the departed titles, and would be the perfect place for classic reprints
ranging from ?Lost in the Andes? to ?The Red Wasp Mystery?, as well as Barks
ten-pagers, Romano Scarpa?s Duck and Mouse adventures, and new works from
fan-favorite contemporary creators.
We might have lost four titles, including the DD and MM ?Take-Alongs?, but
we need not miss a beat with such a welcome alternative to take up the slack!
Please give it some consideration.
---------------------------------------------------------------
So, hopefully, between Dean's suggestion and mine, we can give "legs" to
this idea!
Joe Torcivia.
Deanmary
Gary's and Rich's comments
Message 8 -
2006-12-04 at 04:10:47
Gary, thanks so much for your recent post. I too grew up with the 32 page format comic and have a lot of love for it as well. However, it seems the market is (and has been for some time) going towards TPB and other book type formats and I am fine with that. In the end the format doesn't matter very much compared to *if* there is content being printed and what the content being published is.
I think I understand a bit better now why the newsstand titles had to go away. If I am understanding you correctly, even raising the prices of them to $3.50 or even $4.00 still would not have worked out for Gemstone economically.
I truly hope Gemstone considers a third (or fourth?) prestige title in the future. Much of my sad thoughts about the Gemstone cancellations would be alleviated if a third monthly prestige title would be published. If that were the case, we would be getting the same amount of pages each month as before, not counting the pocket book titles, and those look they are coming back in a Shonen Jump style format.
Chuck, thanks for your thoughts as well. It was nice to hear that someone else would like to buy another monthly prestige title. I totally agree with you in the desire to see much more new material. To me it is like there is a huge "dam" of new stories out there in Europe, but that we have to settle for a tiny "trickle" of new stories to come out here! :( I know there will never be enough new stories printed for my satisfaction, but with the loss of the 4 titles it seems like even the "trickle" is barely flowing now! :(
I think there are *so* many opportunities with TPBs in the future and am cautiously optimistic about them. You could have TPBs dedicated to a certain creator. You could have TPBs focused on a certain theme or character. The possibilities are almost endless! I still think the key is for them to filled with either all or mostly new stories. I realize that Gemstone thinks they need to publish a lot of re-re-reprints, and perhaps they are right. However, I would at least like for them to try a few TPBs with mostly or all new material to see if they would sell well. I think they would, but who knows? You will never know unless you try though. I hope after the two TPBs coming out this summer that they try a few focused on new material. BTW, if the TPBs are going to produced on a regular basis, how often are they going to come out? Monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, etc. Just curious. I would love for there to be a monthly Walt Disney Treasures TPB! Does that sound like a good idea to anyone else on the list?
Dean Rekich
I think I understand a bit better now why the newsstand titles had to go away. If I am understanding you correctly, even raising the prices of them to $3.50 or even $4.00 still would not have worked out for Gemstone economically.
I truly hope Gemstone considers a third (or fourth?) prestige title in the future. Much of my sad thoughts about the Gemstone cancellations would be alleviated if a third monthly prestige title would be published. If that were the case, we would be getting the same amount of pages each month as before, not counting the pocket book titles, and those look they are coming back in a Shonen Jump style format.
Chuck, thanks for your thoughts as well. It was nice to hear that someone else would like to buy another monthly prestige title. I totally agree with you in the desire to see much more new material. To me it is like there is a huge "dam" of new stories out there in Europe, but that we have to settle for a tiny "trickle" of new stories to come out here! :( I know there will never be enough new stories printed for my satisfaction, but with the loss of the 4 titles it seems like even the "trickle" is barely flowing now! :(
I think there are *so* many opportunities with TPBs in the future and am cautiously optimistic about them. You could have TPBs dedicated to a certain creator. You could have TPBs focused on a certain theme or character. The possibilities are almost endless! I still think the key is for them to filled with either all or mostly new stories. I realize that Gemstone thinks they need to publish a lot of re-re-reprints, and perhaps they are right. However, I would at least like for them to try a few TPBs with mostly or all new material to see if they would sell well. I think they would, but who knows? You will never know unless you try though. I hope after the two TPBs coming out this summer that they try a few focused on new material. BTW, if the TPBs are going to produced on a regular basis, how often are they going to come out? Monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, etc. Just curious. I would love for there to be a monthly Walt Disney Treasures TPB! Does that sound like a good idea to anyone else on the list?
Dean Rekich
Ola Martinsson (AS/EAB)
Suggestion for facsimile TPB
Message 9 -
2006-12-04 at 14:01:45
In Sweden and some more countries there has been for som years now
reprints of the early disney comics.
As for Sweden the equivalent to WDC is Kalle Anka. They have been
reprinted in hardcover books. And to top it of they are in facsimile.
That means that they have photographed or scanned old copies and
reprinted them exactly as they were in the original. Complete with
covers bound together in a book. Kalle Anka started in 1948 and was
monthly up til 1956. Then it was biweekly until half of 1959. And since
then it has been a weekly. It was 36 pages with cover. Up til now they
have published 1948 to 1961 in facsimile books.
I would definitely love if the same could be done with the old US disney
comics. Starting with WDC of course.
As I understand this is a very cheap way to print comics and Egmont
makes a big profit on these books.
This is shown by the fact that there are at least two more comics from
Egmont that have begun doing the same thing here in Sweden. Also I have
heard it from a person working at Egmont.
Could Gary or anyone else at Gemstone please answer if this possibility
exists ?
Don't you think that this could be profitable in the US as well ?
Or has it been thought of but discarded, in that case why ?
Ola in cloudy still warm Stockholm +10
reprints of the early disney comics.
As for Sweden the equivalent to WDC is Kalle Anka. They have been
reprinted in hardcover books. And to top it of they are in facsimile.
That means that they have photographed or scanned old copies and
reprinted them exactly as they were in the original. Complete with
covers bound together in a book. Kalle Anka started in 1948 and was
monthly up til 1956. Then it was biweekly until half of 1959. And since
then it has been a weekly. It was 36 pages with cover. Up til now they
have published 1948 to 1961 in facsimile books.
I would definitely love if the same could be done with the old US disney
comics. Starting with WDC of course.
As I understand this is a very cheap way to print comics and Egmont
makes a big profit on these books.
This is shown by the fact that there are at least two more comics from
Egmont that have begun doing the same thing here in Sweden. Also I have
heard it from a person working at Egmont.
Could Gary or anyone else at Gemstone please answer if this possibility
exists ?
Don't you think that this could be profitable in the US as well ?
Or has it been thought of but discarded, in that case why ?
Ola in cloudy still warm Stockholm +10
Leo Schulte
Christmas Stories
Message 10 -
2006-12-04 at 14:42:15
Hi Everyone!
I mentioned earlier that Marvel had placed a free one-story comic book in
Sunday newspapers a few weeks ago to promote the comic and also (I
amsure) the movie.
Imagine Gemstone using this approach with Christmas for Shacktown right
now, or other similar stories! One of the best Christmas stories ever
written offered free: this might wake up parents to the advantages of
using the Duckburg Universe for their children's edification.
Best Wishes and Merry Christmas!
Leo Schulte
--
Search for products and services at:
http://search.mail.com
I mentioned earlier that Marvel had placed a free one-story comic book in
Sunday newspapers a few weeks ago to promote the comic and also (I
amsure) the movie.
Imagine Gemstone using this approach with Christmas for Shacktown right
now, or other similar stories! One of the best Christmas stories ever
written offered free: this might wake up parents to the advantages of
using the Duckburg Universe for their children's edification.
Best Wishes and Merry Christmas!
Leo Schulte
--
Search for products and services at:
http://search.mail.com
Robert Hutchings
Thoughts on monthly offerings
Message 11 -
2006-12-04 at 14:43:48
I second Joe's and Dean's idea of a Mickey and Donald
prestige (I guess I'd be a third, actually). What a
good idea! In fact, the mere thought makes me giddy.
And when you consider that one prestige costs little
more than than the two "& Friends" titles, it sounds
even better! I suppose it?s too simple just to combine
and repackage the two titles, but boy, what potential
this has.
Regarding the TPBs, monthly sounds great to me! If not
monthly, though, at least regularly. I must admit that
one of the things I liked best about the last one was
the editorial work from David Gerstein. That, to me,
is the biggest thing missing from the old Gladstone I
days in Gemstone?s current offerings. I don?t know how
many other people read those reviews and essays Geoff
Blum et al. wrote, and similarly, I don?t know how
much support there is to revive that idea, but I?m
certainly in favor of it.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Yahoo! Music Unlimited
Access over 1 million songs.
http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited
prestige (I guess I'd be a third, actually). What a
good idea! In fact, the mere thought makes me giddy.
And when you consider that one prestige costs little
more than than the two "& Friends" titles, it sounds
even better! I suppose it?s too simple just to combine
and repackage the two titles, but boy, what potential
this has.
Regarding the TPBs, monthly sounds great to me! If not
monthly, though, at least regularly. I must admit that
one of the things I liked best about the last one was
the editorial work from David Gerstein. That, to me,
is the biggest thing missing from the old Gladstone I
days in Gemstone?s current offerings. I don?t know how
many other people read those reviews and essays Geoff
Blum et al. wrote, and similarly, I don?t know how
much support there is to revive that idea, but I?m
certainly in favor of it.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Yahoo! Music Unlimited
Access over 1 million songs.
http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited
Marvinw
Gemstone Reaction and Suggestion---Donald and Mickey title
Message 12 -
2006-12-04 at 20:38:56
Although it is quite true that there was a Mickey and Donald comic of Gladstone I, which reappeared as Donald and Mickey, and then Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse of Gladstone II, the "real deal" as Joe Torcivia indicates, is continuity from the Dell Mickey Mouse comic and the Donald Duck comic, both of which actually began as Western Printing Four Color comics.
At least in my neck of the woods, the Mickey Mouse character has a recognized very high profile and there is a virtual landslide of apparel on which he appears that is advertised at the shopping malls -- from childrens hats to their shoes to men's boxer shorts and even women's panties!
I think a straight forward Mickey Mouse comic title should be no less of a winner than WDC&S, but also in the prestige format. I think the prefered solution therefore would be separate Mickey and Donald prestige comics. It was with about issue 600 of WDC&S and about issue 300 of Uncle Scrooge, that Bruce Hamilton decided to take the plunge and convert both of these to prestige comics.
Using the prestige format, not only would the MM and DD titles continue, but in effect we would have a combination of the old format with the take-along format, allowing a mix of reprints and new longer stories.
( However even though there has been silence from the Gemstone staff, I believe that the Garfield and Peanuts type newspaper reprints would still be the most popular for volume sales-- alas one can hope.)
Marvin Winitz
At least in my neck of the woods, the Mickey Mouse character has a recognized very high profile and there is a virtual landslide of apparel on which he appears that is advertised at the shopping malls -- from childrens hats to their shoes to men's boxer shorts and even women's panties!
I think a straight forward Mickey Mouse comic title should be no less of a winner than WDC&S, but also in the prestige format. I think the prefered solution therefore would be separate Mickey and Donald prestige comics. It was with about issue 600 of WDC&S and about issue 300 of Uncle Scrooge, that Bruce Hamilton decided to take the plunge and convert both of these to prestige comics.
Using the prestige format, not only would the MM and DD titles continue, but in effect we would have a combination of the old format with the take-along format, allowing a mix of reprints and new longer stories.
( However even though there has been silence from the Gemstone staff, I believe that the Garfield and Peanuts type newspaper reprints would still be the most popular for volume sales-- alas one can hope.)
Marvin Winitz
Deanmary
More about a possible Donald and Mickey prestige title
Message 13 -
2006-12-04 at 22:22:40
Thanks so much Joe for adding your voice as someone who would love to see a Donald and Mickey monthly prestige title!
Gary, is there anything us Disney comic fans can do to get this to happen? Would it be more helpful to send "snail mail" letters to Gemstone saying how much we want this to happen? If Joe's letter is printed in an upcoming issue of WDC$S, could you in that comic ask fans to write to Gemstone if they support such an idea?
I realize that Gemstone has new plans in motion for 2007 and that has to be your primary focus. However, I still do not see why such a third prestige title could not be added in the next 6 to 12 months. Is there are a reason you can tell us why Gemstone would *not* be willing to publish a third prestige title? Perhaps there is some problem with it we do not understand.
I would like to echo Joe's comment on how great it is that Gary and David have treated us "square" during this time. I know I have said it before, but I *greatly* appreciate your contributions to this mailing list!
Dean Rekich
Gary, is there anything us Disney comic fans can do to get this to happen? Would it be more helpful to send "snail mail" letters to Gemstone saying how much we want this to happen? If Joe's letter is printed in an upcoming issue of WDC$S, could you in that comic ask fans to write to Gemstone if they support such an idea?
I realize that Gemstone has new plans in motion for 2007 and that has to be your primary focus. However, I still do not see why such a third prestige title could not be added in the next 6 to 12 months. Is there are a reason you can tell us why Gemstone would *not* be willing to publish a third prestige title? Perhaps there is some problem with it we do not understand.
I would like to echo Joe's comment on how great it is that Gary and David have treated us "square" during this time. I know I have said it before, but I *greatly* appreciate your contributions to this mailing list!
Dean Rekich
Deanmary
Gemstone rumors or gossip?
Message 14 -
2006-12-05 at 18:57:05
Rich Johnston produces a weekly online column called "Lying in the Gutters". In his words, "In its various forms, Lying In The Gutters has covered rumors and gossip in the comics industry for twelve long glorious and quite scary years."
In this weeks column: http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/?column=13
which was posted Monday afternoon he writes:
DUCK SEASON ENDS
Gemstone have cancelled four of their ongoing Disney comics titles, and have let all their freelancers go "until things get better." A number are still owed thousands of dollars, and there has been uncertainty as to when they will be paid. Maybe February, "but we can't promise."
Rich gives one of three lights to each story. Once again in his words, "All stories are sourced from well-connected individuals and checked with respective publisher representatives before publication. Mostly. The veracity of each story is judged by me and given a spotlight - Green is the most reliable, Amber means there's likely an interest involved or the likelihood isn't set and Red means even I can't quite bring myself to believe it."
For what it is worth, he gives the Gemstone story a yellow light.
Of course I don't have the slightest idea if what he has written is true. I sincerely hope it is not! Gary and/or David may likely not want to comment on this piece of gossip at all, and I don't blame they if don't. *If* the story is true though, it sounds like things at Gemstone may be even worse than we thought. Just thought people on the list would like to read this "info" whether true or not. Let's just pray that all of this is nothing more than untrue gossip!
In this weeks column: http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/?column=13
which was posted Monday afternoon he writes:
DUCK SEASON ENDS
Gemstone have cancelled four of their ongoing Disney comics titles, and have let all their freelancers go "until things get better." A number are still owed thousands of dollars, and there has been uncertainty as to when they will be paid. Maybe February, "but we can't promise."
Rich gives one of three lights to each story. Once again in his words, "All stories are sourced from well-connected individuals and checked with respective publisher representatives before publication. Mostly. The veracity of each story is judged by me and given a spotlight - Green is the most reliable, Amber means there's likely an interest involved or the likelihood isn't set and Red means even I can't quite bring myself to believe it."
For what it is worth, he gives the Gemstone story a yellow light.
Of course I don't have the slightest idea if what he has written is true. I sincerely hope it is not! Gary and/or David may likely not want to comment on this piece of gossip at all, and I don't blame they if don't. *If* the story is true though, it sounds like things at Gemstone may be even worse than we thought. Just thought people on the list would like to read this "info" whether true or not. Let's just pray that all of this is nothing more than untrue gossip!
JTorci3511
DCML Digest, Vol 46, Issue 6
Message 15 -
2006-12-06 at 14:19:33
Dean and Everyone:
In a message dated 12/6/2006 6:15:07 AM Eastern Standard Time,
dcml-request at nafsk.se writes:
Concerning Rich Johnston and his blurb on Gemstone. Rich is a known and
admitted rumor monger. He admits so by the use of Red, Yellow, and Green
traffic Lights the precede each item.
Sometimes his predictions come to pass. More often than not, they don't --
or we just plain never know, or never seen any manifestation of the issue.
Anyone could look at a publisher's cancellation of four out of six titles and
pronounced that doom has swept the land. Even some of our own members have
done that!
It must have been a very slow rumor/news week at Marvel, DC, and the UK
publishers for Rich to turn his attentions to Gemstone in the first place.
I hope I'm not speaking out of class - and would rather have someone
officially address this matter for the DCML... but how can you "let freelancers
go"?! They're FREELANCERS, fer gosh sakes! There is naturally less work for
everyone, when six titles become two - and that means less freelance work. As
for being paid, I can report no difficulties with the work I've done for
Gemstone - DuckTales Texts and the Super Goof backup to "Blotman Returns".
So, I think we ought to just leave Rich Johnston to his corner of the
blog-world (...where anyone can apparently say anything they please) until things
manifest themselves for real.
Just as with the cancellation news, let's keep an even keel on this one as
well.
Also, I hope you all enjoyed my script for Super Goof. I added quite a bit
to the original bare-bones outline I received. Feedback is welcome, if you'd
like - privately or in this forum.
Joe Torcivia.
In a message dated 12/6/2006 6:15:07 AM Eastern Standard Time,
dcml-request at nafsk.se writes:
Concerning Rich Johnston and his blurb on Gemstone. Rich is a known and
admitted rumor monger. He admits so by the use of Red, Yellow, and Green
traffic Lights the precede each item.
Sometimes his predictions come to pass. More often than not, they don't --
or we just plain never know, or never seen any manifestation of the issue.
Anyone could look at a publisher's cancellation of four out of six titles and
pronounced that doom has swept the land. Even some of our own members have
done that!
It must have been a very slow rumor/news week at Marvel, DC, and the UK
publishers for Rich to turn his attentions to Gemstone in the first place.
I hope I'm not speaking out of class - and would rather have someone
officially address this matter for the DCML... but how can you "let freelancers
go"?! They're FREELANCERS, fer gosh sakes! There is naturally less work for
everyone, when six titles become two - and that means less freelance work. As
for being paid, I can report no difficulties with the work I've done for
Gemstone - DuckTales Texts and the Super Goof backup to "Blotman Returns".
So, I think we ought to just leave Rich Johnston to his corner of the
blog-world (...where anyone can apparently say anything they please) until things
manifest themselves for real.
Just as with the cancellation news, let's keep an even keel on this one as
well.
Also, I hope you all enjoyed my script for Super Goof. I added quite a bit
to the original bare-bones outline I received. Feedback is welcome, if you'd
like - privately or in this forum.
Joe Torcivia.