Because You Care

Last month we (as in Antidote) received a well written, very thought out letter from a local customer with some concerns on our companies vision and output. I devised a rather lengthy response with hopes of providing some explanations as opposed to excuses, and alleviating some of those concerns. This is more than a hobby to me, which is why I truly appreciate the feedback they have provided.
I feel that many others out there may share this individual’s thoughts and concerns, so I thought I would borrow excerpts from her letter along with my own responses.

“I, and many of other readers, am very disappointed with how long it takes you to produce these quality comics. The quality of your pritings, while very nice, is really to high a quality for an upcoming company. This seemingly forwards high prices onto your consumers.”

Creating comics is something that has been a lifelong dream for us, especially myself, and our goal is to put out the best quality product that we can, using what limited resources we may have. It is because of our pursuit to provide you with the best quality product we do want to rush the process. Now are there instances where time could have best been spent putting pen to paper, but we had not done so? Yes. As someone with two other jobs, a wife and child with another on the way, what little free time I do have is spent outlining new stories, writing scripts, as well as treatments and proposals. Until I am in a position where I can write and create comics full time this endeavor has to be relegated to "free time" because my priorities are my family. Now I can't speak for everyone at Antidote Comics when I say that creating comics is a dream of mine, and ultimately I do want it to become a career.
The first print run of Black Jack was very small, and was intended for availability solely on the convention circuit. However, some additional issues had been provided to a few local retailers as a way to test the local market demand. Unfortunately Black Jack's small print run demanded a higher price point. It was approximately $5.25 per issue to print, and we were selling copies at $5.00, which means we were taking a loss. We feel this loss is acceptable at this time and expect to recapture it when Black Jack is submitted to Diamond for National Distribution.

“I also don’t see any future release dates as sequels to Bloods Own or Black Jack and instead I see ideas of producing other storey titles. This is just another head scratcher for your consumers.”

There is no future dates posted at this time for Black Jack or Bloods Own, but trust me that there additional issues are planned. Two additionally planned titles (Boot Hill and Freedom guard) have been placed on the back burner to ensure work on bloods Own and Black Jack continues. Bloods Own has been plotted as a four-issue story arc, and though it has been a long time coming, the second issue currently being penciled by artist, Anthony Lucia. I have been assured that the issue will be completed by August at the latest, and the issues will be available at conventions around the region.

“In this age of video games, cable tv, and the internet consumers are bombarded with entertainment. How do you expect consumers to remember you at all in the time they have to wait between issues, not to mention how could they possible be expected to remember a storyline”

You hit the nail on the head when you ask how can we expect a consumer to remember a particular storyline or plot point when there is a two-year span between issues, and the answer is that we can't. The fans should not have to wait that long, and as we progress I am confident we can increase the efficiency in our production process.

My response closed with the following message: We want to maintain open lines of communications with our consumers. If you have any additional questions or concerns please do not hesitate to share them with us. It is with your criticism and feedback that we can grow and mature as a small press publishing company.

If you would like to drop us a line please e-mail us at cure@antidotecomics.com

Other Notes:
Quote/Misquote: “I’m not eating out anymore.” me to my fellow co-workers enticing me to join them for lunch on Monday.

I’m going to say it here first. I want to write Ghost Rider. Ghost Rider is the best it has ever been, and that is thanks to “Best of 2008 award winner for Best Writer”, Jason Aaron. Jason Aaron’s run will be ending soon, and I would welcome the challenge of continuing the same kick-ass, no-holds-barred, anything goes “Grindhouse” style horror story he started. I have always been a fan of the character, and have a specific story arc in mind that I’d love to tell. Do I think that Marvel would give a “nobody” like me the reigns to the property? No. But that isn’t going to stop me from being prepared on the ever-so-slim-its-almost-non-existent chance that they actually did.

Speaking of “Best of 2008”, I hate televised awards shows such as the Emmy’s, Golden Globes, Oscars, and even those MTV movie awards. They just bore me, and the winners (especially at the Academy Awards) are usually some artsy turd that the average viewer can sit through maybe once. But it’s mostly because they bore me. They last too long, the hosts are not funny, and everyone thanks God as if God gives two shits about the Box Office Draw of In the Name of the King…Obviously a poor example because that movie being nominated for any type of award other than a Razzie is utterly impossible.