Crikey: an update

[tony ingram]

Just for information: the 13th issue of Crikey!, the magazine of British comics, was originally due out on December 29th, but the collapse of Borders and their affiliates (taking away much of our distribution and leaving us in doubt as to whether we will be paid the monies owed us by them for issue #12) has necessitated us finding an alternative printer; we could have afforded to remain with the current one and print off the same amount of copies as issue #12, but with minimal distribution we wouldn't be able to place half of them, and the printers in question cannot afford to reduce the print run significantly for any real reduction in cost. We are currently weighing up the pros and cons of a couple of other companies and are also looking for more outlets but rather than rush things, we have therefore decided to delay publication of #13 until January. I apologise to all our subscribers for the unforseen delay, but we'd rather get it right than rush into a new deal and risk producing something that isn't what we want, or indeed not being able to publish at all at the last moment. In the meantime, keep your eyes on the website, http://www.crikeyuk.co.uk, where we'll be posting some new content to tide everyone over until the next issue...

[tony ingram]

...and the first of the new content is now up on the features page, including a rather nice piece on Moon Madness by our own Alan Smith, and an exclusive interview with Tank Girl artist Rufus Dayglo! I suspect that isn't his real name, Y'know...

www.crikeyuk.co.uk

[tony ingram]

An update to the update: we've been in talks with various interested parties about Crikey's future and there is a fair bit of interest, iit seems (which isn't surprising since sales of #12 were considerably up on the previous issue despite it being pulled from many outlets after only being on sale for a fortnight when Borders went down). These discussions are still in the early stages, however, so in the meantime as a stopgap measure we will be publishing #13 in its original format as a 52 black & white mag. Our new eight page strip centre section, however, will remain in glorious colour, including the return of sixties favourite The Cloak (from the pages of Pow!) in a brand new adventure from his creator, Mike Higgs! We also have an exclusive interview with the one and only Kevin O'Neill, the second part of our feature on Doctor Who in comics, the continuing saga of Marvel UK and...well, quite a bit more that I'll get around to later. Important thing for now is, issue #13 will be out shortly. And despite recent setbacks, the future's still looking, if not bright, then a damn sight brighter than it did last month...

Cover of issue #13 now up on the website at http://www.crikeyuk.co.uk/ed.html

[Phoenix]

Great news, Tony! Best of luck with issue 13, I look forward to getting my copy. Keep us updated.

[stevezodiac]

I'm probably alone in this but I have never been fond of magazine printed on glossy paper - I mean comics are printed on newsprint so why not print Crikey on good quality newsprint like Alter Ego, only in colour. That's why, as much as I liked Comic Book Marketplace, I never like the glossy feel of it. It made it rather cold looking. Would there be a financial saving in using good newsprint? (Just trying to help).

[STARBOY]

I'd have to join you on that one Steve, I'm also not a fan of glossy paper especially in comics (US) I have trouble reading a comic on glossy paper if I'm sitting under a light, but it's the norm now . And why the Beano etc use it I don't know they could add more pages using good quality newsprint (maybe add a reprint or two or combine newsprint and glossy like some European mags/comics do) the DCT comics look so thin and flimsy - I like the Alter Ego paper as well or the paper Comics International used (probably prefered that to be honest) either way i'll pick up the new Crikey! gotta see the new "Cloak" strip

[Lew Stringer]

And why the Beano etc use it I don't know they could add more pages using good quality newsprint (maybe add a reprint or two or combine newsprint and glossy like some European mags/comics do) )

There's already enough reprint in it I think! I agree about the glossy paper though. The Beano can't stand upright in its own display box due to the thin paper. I assume it's down to what paper they have available, and costs. The stock used for Crikey! is heavier though, and reproduces artwork better than matt paper would.

Personally I liked the paper that The DFC was printed on. Nice texture and it made the comic look quite substantial. Not too good for a wide colour palette though, and some of the darker colours looked too muddy, so sometimes glossy is best.

Lew

[Lew Stringer]

These discussions are still in the early stages, however, so in the meantime as a stopgap measure we will be publishing #13 in its original format as a 52 black & white mag. Our new eight page strip centre section, however, will remain in glorious colour, including the return of sixties favourite The Cloak (from the pages of Pow!) in a brand new adventure from his creator, Mike Higgs!

Sounds fantastic! I hope that everyone here is supporting Crikey! It's the only magazine dedicated to British comics and shouldn't be taken for granted.

Tony, as Borders has gone does that also mean that none of the indie newsagents will be stocking the next issue? In which case a subscription is a necessity?

Lew

[Digifiend]

I would imagine that if it isn't listed here, they're no longer selling it.

[Lew Stringer]

I would imagine that if it isn't listed here, they're no longer selling it.

That's just a list of comics specialist shops Digi. Shops that only sell comics and related items. Crikey! was on sale in lots of newsagents as well, which is what I was enquiring about.

Lew

[tony ingram]

These discussions are still in the early stages, however, so in the meantime as a stopgap measure we will be publishing #13 in its original format as a 52 black & white mag. Our new eight page strip centre section, however, will remain in glorious colour, including the return of sixties favourite The Cloak (from the pages of Pow!) in a brand new adventure from his creator, Mike Higgs!

Sounds fantastic! I hope that everyone here is supporting Crikey! It's the only magazine dedicated to British comics and shouldn't be taken for granted.

Tony, as Borders has gone does that also mean that none of the indie newsagents will be stocking the next issue? In which case a subscription is a necessity?

Lew

The indie newsagents were tied up in the deal with Borders Lew, so at the moment, no, the distributor won't place them in those other outlets. We can't afford to print enough for it to be worth their while without having somewhere to distribute the excess copies. We're hoping to rectify that situation and get back into the high street ASAP (and we're currently quite hopeful that that will happen), but right now, if you want to be sure of your copy-yep, a subscription is your best bet.

[tony ingram]

I would imagine that if it isn't listed here, they're no longer selling it.

In fact, that list needs updating. There are several outlets not on there as yet (including my own local, Central City Comics in Ipswich. Hi, Rob!).

[Lew Stringer]

The indie newsagents were tied up in the deal with Borders Lew, so at the moment, no, the distributor won't place them in those other outlets.

Thanks Tony. That's what I feared. Just as I was getting used to buying it from my corner shop. Will subscribe then.

Update: A £30 sub should now be with you from PayPal, Tony.

Lew

[Digifiend]

I would imagine that if it isn't listed here, they're no longer selling it.

In fact, that list needs updating. There are several outlets not on there as yet (including my own local, Central City Comics in Ipswich. Hi, Rob!).

So if the list had been up to date, I would've been right. OK.

And just to say, if newsagents were getting it, it wasn't any in my area, unfortunately. Guess they're all supplied by WHSmith instead. *shrugs*

[Lew Stringer]

I would imagine that if it isn't listed here, they're no longer selling it.

In fact, that list needs updating. There are several outlets not on there as yet (including my own local, Central City Comics in Ipswich. Hi, Rob!).

So if the list had been up to date, I would've been right. OK.

No, because I was asking about newsagents not comic shops.

Lew