Brian Hibbs replied to my commentary here…
http://www.comixexperience.com/savblog/savblog.html
…so you can go check it out there ’cause I’m not going to reprint the entirety of someone’s blog entry since–y’know–one really shouldn’t do that.
And fortunately enough, I don’t feel like I’m in a pìššìņg match with Brian, because ultimately we’re after the same thing: To sell comics. But he makes a couple of points worth addressing specifically…
Yes, I’ve been extremely upfront, in any number of interviews, that I’ve always known Fallen Angel was a tough sell in today’s market. Putting aside the general fan resistence to any non-mutant character created more recently than 1978, I’ve said any number of times that here’s a title of a dark and ambiguous nature with a mysterious female protagonist who is not scantily clad and whose motivations aren’t spoon fed to the readers (although, as people on this board have proven, it’s all there for those who care to look). A book that DC made a point of saying was not part of the DCU, thereby assuring readers they could safely skip it, and was slapped with a “For Mature Readers” label and a price hike, all in less than a year. And without the Vertigo label, we fly under the radar of Vertigo readers. I’ve been VERY honest about that all along.
My point–and I did have one–was that in recent months the book seems on the verge of overcoming all of that as more and more reviewers rave about it and more and more readers start seeking it out…only to discover it couldn’t be found, and there’s apathy in some quarters about getting it for willing readers. While the non-ordering habits of some retailers is certainly not the only reason Fallen Angel has been a tough slog, I hardly think those same retailers could be exempt from comment or criticism simply because there’s a lot of books out there they have to deal with. Because I’m the one hearing from the fans who are complaining (and by the way, will someone PLEASE swing by Brian’s store and buy the copy of the Fallen Angel trade he says he hasn’t sold yet? Whoever does, I’ll toss in an extra something cool when you send for the bookplate. Thanks.)
Yes, there’s been any number of times when retailers have responded to surveys and such in my column (those were the only times when I’ve acquired lists of retailer addresses). Were I so inclined, I could have a pretty impressive mailing list. But I have not pursued that because–well–it seemed tacky. If I asked for retailer opinions on a subject, I want them to know it’s because I’m genuinely interested. If I start using such endeavors as the basis for a list of stores that are “friendly” to me, then I’m leaving myself open to accusations that I don’t give a crap about what retailers think, but rather am cynically trying to gather names to do exactly what Brian suggests I do: Make self-serving mailing lists. Am I possibly costing myself sales? I suppose. Better that, though, than to break faith with retailers and make them think I’m just trying to sell them something.
And I’ve been disinclined to go to such “gated” retailer on-line venues as Brian suggests because, again, it seemed tacky. I figure such places should be where retailers can gather to discuss whatever they want to discuss, without writers showing up there to huckster their material. I guess I’ll just have to count on one of those “Peter David friendly” retailers to bring word of my bookplate offer to them. I’d rather it come from one of their own rather than me shoving my face into someplace where I might not be welcome.
And I certainly hope Brian is wrong in his assessment that fans have already made up their minds and Fallen Angel is a lost cause. I’d like to think that someone who believes in tilting with windmills isn’t a big believer in lost causes. Me, I tend to look at something unassuming, such as windmills or, if you will, Fallen Angel, and instead think, They might be giants.
PAD
• 
Peter:
As promised, I went to the store Wednesday and bought a copy of Fallen Angel. To be honest, it’s still doesn’t work for me as a long term comic I’d like to read.
HOWEVER, I did kinda sorta enjoy this issue. I like your wry sense of humor
“To be honest, it’s still doesn’t work for me as a long term comic I’d like to read.
HOWEVER, I did kinda sorta enjoy this issue. I like your wry sense of humor.”
Ah. Kinda sorta. Okay. Not bad. Now…stick with the story for 15-18. That’s short term, not long term. By that point, you will be 100% hooked.
PAD
I’m sure this isn’t relevant to Fallen Angel per se, but how difficult is it to get a creator-owned book into Marvel’s new “reward” imprint that Powers is moving to?
I suppose someone like PAD would have to get an exclusive Marvel contract first, but it might be neat.
PAD,
Sorry it’s taken me awhile to respond more to this topic, I’ve been crazy busy!
But add me to the list of those saying you should try the CBIA. For the following reasons:
1.) What do you have to lose? The last Top 300 list from Diamond has “Fallen Angel” at NUMBER 168! 168! And it is falling every month. If you feel this current storyarc is whatwill hook readers (and I have to admit the last two issues are the first I have remotely enjoyed, then you should be telling retailers whhy, just like you do here. Even preaching to your diehard fans on this blog has helpd, but minutely. Why not state your case, and your suggestions, to those who can actually help?
2.) You’re actually concerned that your being frank and honest may hurt you? Why? Again, what do you have to lose? Instead of carrying zero copies, some retailers may carry negative numbers?
Do you really think someone like Kurt Busiek would recommend it if it was just a bunch of retailers looking to “blame” you?
3.) And if they do offer constructive criticism or ideas about the book, why would you take it personally? Why would that be a bad thing? As you say, and everyone else knows, you have strong opinions about what retailers and DC’s marketing department can do to help the book. Are you saying you are the only one who should be exempt from criticism?
4.) If you DO feel the need to be “frank and honest”, you can do so in a constuctive manner, you know. I mean, I’ve seen you get angry with some of the people on this board who hit with you with criticism or suggestions that you take the wrong way, and these are your DIEHARD FANS! There is a big difference, for example, in saying, ” feel the Bush Administration has a poor record” and “Bush is an inept clod”. Both are telling what you “truly” feel, but the latter is a lot more abrasive.
Thanks,
Jerome
“Personally? I kind of want to slay the dragon!”
PAD,
Also, it might help when you get an opportunity to promote the book, like on Newsarama, you stop talking about what the book ISN’T and explain to people what it IS and why they would enjoy it.
Honestly, if I were to do a 500 word story on “Fallen Angel” and you spend about 80 words describing why it isn’t selling better, (Your Famous Top Seven List= It’s not a Spidey, mutant or X-book; she doesn’t wear a revealing costume, etc.) those are 80 words you could have used to talk about the concept, the setting, the characters and what makes the book unique.
Plus, as others have stated, it can and most likely is interpreted by some that you are either blaming fans for not wanting to try a book in which they’re not spoonfed and blaming DC for not marketing it.
PAD,
It might also help if you stop referring to “The Prisoner” when you are trying to explain the series. Very few people under the age of 35 will know what you are talking about, and few over 35 will either. By comparing it to what to many will feel like an obscure show, you again miss an opportunity to have potential readers feel they can relate to the series or give them a feel of what it is about. Describe IN YOUR OWN WORDS why you think the series is cool, and fans may say “I should check this out?”