Thursday, May 17, 2007

Morning Thoughts

Quick hits this morning before I get sucked into something else...

I want you guys to start promoting creators as they sign up. See if you can't get them interviews and such in various/multiple venues. Wizard and Newsarama are pretty obvious, but realize that they're not the only games in town either. Look at blogs/fan sites/podcasts/whatever that focus on either Marvel generally or your characters particularly. If any of the creators have blogs, especially, talk with them about what artwork/plots they're working on they can/can't post.

Back to my note from last night about the Defenders "leak". I'm thinking that might be something we can play up as a marketing thing. If we go so far as to stage a reasonable leak -- say, the artist posting the opening splash page on his blog only to pull it down the next day after we "reprimand" him. Maybe some anonymous hints sent to Rich Johnston. Then we, as editors, officially deny anything. Maybe an additional image "leak" to Wizard the following month-- they'd have to be in on it, obviously. So by the time retailers need to place orders, it's something of an open secret that the new book will be the Defenders relaunch.

Gotta split...

13 comments:

Patrick Cook said...

Also - we should have a deadline set today by which point we should have our official posts up on Tom's blog. I'd advocate for much earlier rather than later, so he sees them there far enough ahead of time to respond properly.

Any preference on how the day plays out Sean?

Michael Heide said...

I still don't like it. Not every retailer reads Lying in the Gutters. Not every retailer relies on a rumor in Wizard.

I want to be open to the retailers and tell them: This is a story where Doctor Doom, Magneto, Namor, Black Panther and Mole Man join forces against America... and they are the good guys!
Story by Brian K Vaughan, art by Mike Deodato.

Be sure to order this book!

Michael Heide said...

Patrick: Tom mentioned a 8pm deadline yesterday.

Philip Schaeffer said...

I agree with Mike 100%.

As evidenced by Captain America 25, which everyone wound up liking and thinking was a good story, retailers really don't like being jerked around.

It doesn't spoil anything or give anything away about the story to give them the pitch Mike just described... and for the sake of expediency, we should post something, even if it's a little vague, tooooooday.

Sean Kleefeld said...

Fair enough; I won't push the "leak" angle.

Agree that we should have something on the Defenders up today, even if vague. We've got a general outline, right? Pretty good consensus there, I think. I think everyone's happy if we can get Vaughan. I think sliding Deodato over is okay, but I don't recall seeing who you'd want to put on FF in his place. (I'm sure you mentioned it, but please remind me. Remember, too, that we'll need backup options there.)

Sean Kleefeld said...

To Pat's question, once I give you guys a green light on something, feel free to post it on Tom's blog. Since I'm still doing hit-n-run tactics, I can't guarantee yet how soon I can hit there too. That's why I posted a note to Tom yesterday about reviewing all of it here. My schedule shouldn't hold you guys up any more than absolutely necessary.

Sean Kleefeld said...

Oh, and we should definitely wait to post on Tom's blog AFTER Tom gets his daily update online for us.

We need something to respond to after all! :)

Philip Schaeffer said...

Well I'd really like to get Pelletier on it since he was my first choice to be begin with! You once suggested moving Ed McGuinness over from just doing covers, and I thought that was a wonderful idea and like it even more than Pelletier. Tonally, it's a little more cartoony than what I was thinking for my tenure on the title, but he's one of my all time faves.

Other alternates include some guys who I'd only expect to keep on for one arc, and whose styles are more what I'm thinking, being less happy looking: Michael Turner (just for the Defenders tie-ins, not as our regular guy), Steve Epting (again just for an arc), Phil Jimenez (also for an arc), Mike McKone (perhaps as a more regular penciller).

Philip Schaeffer said...

Another thing Sean, provided that you veto our ideas (and that we're giving LOTS of options in all our posts) we can also post a concise, clearly noted additional move describing only how we'd adjust our plans to work with your veto, provided we make it in before the deadline.

I think we wanted to have you posting first those first couple of days out of deference, so you could set the tone. We should definitely move into more of an autonomous posting vibe as time progresses.

Michael Heide said...

McKone is DC-exclusive again.

And with Perkins off Captain America, I'm not sure if you can take Epting as well.

I'm thinking Jimenez, however, would really complement Deodato.

Philip Schaeffer said...

Yeah, Jimenez is moving to the forefront of my picks in my mind as well. I think it goes Jimenez, Pelletier, McGuinness.

And what's up, McKone? Can't make up your mind? Want to play the field? Think you're a player, McKone? Think you're a big shot heart-breaker?

I got sour news for you, buddy. I don't miss you at all. Marvel Comics is a strong independent woman and WE WEEP OVER NO MAN!!!

Michael Heide said...

Hey, no badmouthing creators, please. Try to at least act professional...

;)

Philip Schaeffer said...

I lash out only because I loves him so.

I'll never let go, McKone. I'll never let go.