Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:35 am Post subject: Delays and more Delays
Something has been bugging me recently with the comic industry, truth be told it has been bugging me for a long while on and off but I'm grumpy today so here we are.
Is anyone else sick to the back fecking teeth of 'monthly' comics that get delayed for months between issues, looking at this weeks release schedule from Marvel I'll give some choice examples:
Astonishing X-Men 29
Kick-Ass 6
Thor 601
Ultimate Wolverine Vs Hulk
Now Astonishing X-Men is a series I had actually forgotten existed because I don't remember seeing a new issue for so long, considering that Whedons arc finished over a year ago and so far there have been FOUR issues since to me is beyond awful. Though Whedons arc is hardly without criticism, four years for 25 issues?!
Kick-Ass start over a year ago (notice a trend yet) and we have six issues.
Thor we are on about 15 or so issues in two years (I do cut this some slack as I think the writing has been above the vast majority of other Marvel titles).
And the daddy of them all Ultimate Wolverine vs Hulk which had a 2-3 year wait between issues.
What the hell are they playing at?! It's been noted (recently interestingly enough) by Batmanuel that a good way to kill a comic is consistently delivering it late. It's frustrating and borderline condescending to the reader, publishers should get their writers and artists in line. Start producing the comics on a regular basis - even if it's an issue every two months and inform the readers of the schedule - or don't bother signing up.
Why was Ultimate Wolverine vs hulk allowed to languish for so long? If the writer/artist is pissing about or unavailable find someone else who can do the job. If Warren Ellis can't produce more than four issues of X-Men in 12 months then sorry time to find a new series Warren, bye bye.
I'm getting sick with the attitude that the reader can wait, we put a lot of time, faith and attachment into these comics and that is what keeps us coming back. There is an argument for getting them right so they are to a high standard, good argument but how about you get a few issues collected so you can get a few out over 3 - 6 months while the hackney writer and artist are twiddling their thumbs over the next few issues?!
Am I alone? Am I out of line or just naive? _________________ Pro Massacre Boy!
There are currently only two titles I get that ship regularly, DD and New Avengers. Everything else I buy is rather irregular in shipping, but I knew that when I signed up, so that's OK.
I suppose the digital age means that writers and artists can now work at home and away from the pressure and editorial influnce of bullpens, so I suppose part of it is sign of the times.
It is annoying when dates are persistently put back with no explanation. If a comic isn't going to be ready, don't solicit it. Wait until it's good to go. I suppose the thing is, if the titles are late, and people still buy them, comic companies get away with it. _________________
There is so much that cause a comic to delay that is nothing to do with the creators.
People tend to blame them directly though.
Also most creators, even "names" need to be working on multiple projects to pay the bills because of the way the economics work, unless you are exclusive - and few are, this will be for different publishers.
Often problems with one project for one publisher can knock on to another with key people not being available etc.
The more big crossover events there are as well, the more complicated the publication schedule has to be to keep everything in line.
Add to that well known issues with printers, distributors, reps etc - before you even get into any personal issues that may have caused delays and it's more surprising any books come out on time.
Increasingly I have heard publishers say, at least at companies smaller than the "big 2" that they want an entire arc complete before putting out issue one - but then that can be impractical for creators.
As audiences demand more art and sophistication in comics storytelling as well the "production line" approach that lots of the big titles started with of just having any old shit chucked out month after month -" never mind the quality, the kids will buy it" is not workable any more.
Monthly schedules are extremely punishing if you are doing them "in real time". Do you want to read Warren Ellis doing his best work, or his quickest?
I guess it's a choice between good comics and regular comics - and maybe a question of why stories need to be broken into monthly segments anyway - but it just a bee in my bonnet and not for here
Yes - it's really annoying and you end up missing stuff if you don't have a pull list - or wondering if things are cancelled etc.
On the whole I blame the model though. Given how early you have to submit to Diamond if you want to be in previews it's really a bit of a gamble. And in this day of digital pre-press and printing there is no reason they need solicit text and dates up to 6 months out in some cases. _________________
Thanks for that post CatFang. Good to have a bit of insider info, than the usual comments from airchair commentors (such as myself ). _________________
One thing like that, but dealt with better was in the guise of the brand new 2000AD strip Cradlegrave, which was originally previewed in Prog 2008 [published Christmas 2007] and has only just seen press this week. I guess they have to hold stuff to fit the weekly schedule, but they must have filled the gap it would have left with something else. So hold on, but while your doing it get someone else in, so were not waiting forever without an issue.
Has Astonishing really just been 4 issues, that makes me think I should have been picking it up, another title, but at least a cheap one. _________________ Itchy... Tasty
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