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Post by Jason Aiken on Aug 31, 2019 10:28:26 GMT -5
It appears Ablaze didn't back down, looks like it was Diamond. See: swordsofreh.proboards.com/post/30464/threadI'm going to close the individual Cimmerian threads for the time being and if these come out somehow, we'll re-open them. Maybe they could do a Kickstarter and distribute these themselves?
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Post by Jason Aiken on Aug 31, 2019 15:20:59 GMT -5
If any Ablaze employees browse these boards, fuck Diamond. The direct market is on its last legs. Screw floppies. Just release these as graphic novels through Amazon or even Kickstarter, and if you're so inclined, include the original Weird Tales stories as backmatter, or not.
Marvel isn't producing Howardian Conan comics, so there's definitely a market for it.
Don't give up!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2019 17:46:38 GMT -5
If any Ablaze employees browse these boards, fuck Diamond. The direct market is on its last legs. Screw floppies. Just release these as graphic novels through Amazon or even Kickstarter, and if you're so inclined, include the original Weird Tales stories as backmatter, or not. Marvel isn't producing Howardian Conan comics, so there's definitely a market for it. Don't give up! This is exactly what I was thinking, just release them as a nice hardcover trade with multiple stories in each book and go the kickstarter route. Comics that use kickstarter are pulling in huge numbers these days and they could sell them with little risk since every pledge would be a guaranteed sale. Plus I'm sure we would be willing to pay a premium to have a high quality item.
I was not too pleased with the idea of releasing the stories as normal comics and didn't plan on buying them, but if they were released as a trade I would gladly support them.
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Post by mindboggled on Aug 31, 2019 18:19:25 GMT -5
If any Ablaze employees browse these boards, fuck Diamond. The direct market is on its last legs. Screw floppies. Just release these as graphic novels through Amazon or even Kickstarter, and if you're so inclined, include the original Weird Tales stories as backmatter, or not. Marvel isn't producing Howardian Conan comics, so there's definitely a market for it. Don't give up! This is exactly what I was thinking, just release them as a nice hardcover trade with multiple stories in each book and go the kickstarter route. Comics that use kickstarter are pulling in huge numbers these days and they could sell them with little risk since every pledge would be a guaranteed sale. Plus I'm sure we would be willing to pay a premium to have a high quality item. I was not too pleased with the idea of releasing the stories as normal comics and didn't plan on buying them, but if they were released as a trade I would gladly support them.
If Ablaze goes this route, they have my support! I myself was not to pleased either about getting these as floppies. But I would have bought them anyway.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2019 2:38:17 GMT -5
I pre-ordered all 4 covers at my Local Comic Shop, I really wanted to support this title even though I think we all (probably) suspected that this would happen.
Realistically, I cannot see the English translations being published until Glenat and Marvel come up with some kinda deal.
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Post by Peter on Sept 1, 2019 3:08:27 GMT -5
What a shame.
I guess Diamond may be weak for not standing up to them, but they probably didn't want to risk the threat of litigation and legal costs. From their point of view I can see how it would be easier just to drop it I suppose.
Not good at all. Is there another way Ablaze can get these books distributed? Is there already a large enough transport network in place that could pick up from the printers and distribute these books to comic shops?
If these adaptions are public domain in the US, then to me, it would seem that a cease and desist order to stop it and it's distribution, should be illegal in itself?
I don't understand it at all.
Damn I was looking forward to this, not just for the adaptions, but for the R. E. Howard text also. It would have been nice.
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Post by Jason Aiken on Sept 1, 2019 7:47:49 GMT -5
What a shame. I guess Diamond may be weak for not standing up to them, but they probably didn't want to risk the threat of litigation and legal costs. From their point of view I can see how it would be easier just to drop it I suppose. Not good at all. Is there another way Ablaze can get these books distributed? Is there already a large enough transport network in place that could pick up from the printers and distribute these books to comic shops? If these adaptions are public domain in the US, then to me, it would seem that a cease and desist order to stop it and it's distribution, should be illegal in itself? I don't understand it at all. Damn I was looking forward to this, not just for the adaptions, but for the R. E. Howard text also. It would have been nice. Corporations have been using trademarks and legal threats to keep works and characters out of the public domain for decades. I'm betting Marvel being one of Diamond's biggest clients is no coincidence. I'm hoping Ablaze goes another route and Conan Properties gets taught a thing or two about what they actually own ala Les Klinger.
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Post by wolfshead on Sept 1, 2019 11:31:07 GMT -5
Maybe I'm naive, or just very old, but I remember mail subscriptions. Under normal circumstances, this probably would not be financially viable, but since Cimmerian would basically be reprints, I assume the costs for production are dramatically lower. That is, it would be the cost of a licensing fee to Glenat, rather than the monies paid to the writer, artist, etc. Therefore, fewer copies can be sold for Ablaze to make a profit.
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Post by Jason Aiken on Sept 1, 2019 23:00:09 GMT -5
Ablaze Publishing still has the Cimmerian pages up on their website... I hope that's a sign that they aren't backing down. Maybe they are crafting a response with their attorneys.
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Post by Peter on Sept 2, 2019 2:12:45 GMT -5
Ablaze Publishing still has the Cimmerian pages up on their website... I hope that's a sign that they aren't backing down. Maybe they are crafting a response with their attorneys. Hopefully that is good news.
I looked up Les Klinger after your mention Jason, and that is a precedent for sure, especially in the sense, that the High Court would not allow any further legal action.
Perhaps a bit of hope if Ablaze have had this all scrutinized beforehand, or as you mentioned, they could still be thrashing a response out with their own lawyers.
Whatever the case, it will be interesting to see how this pans out.
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Post by deepermagic on Sept 2, 2019 10:24:31 GMT -5
Ever since I created the Public Domain thread I've been on the lookout for stuff like this. On one hand, no surprise the lawyers are involved. They're vultures. On the other hand, these are legit Public Domain. All it takes (says the keyboard warrior) is someone willing to stand up to the Man and force their hand. Easier said than done since it could cost some legal fees. Also no surprise Diamond bailed. This kind of crap happens way to often. I'm not even hoping Glenat and Marvel or Glenat and any other Conan affiliated property holder does a deal. They shouldn't have to! Here's hoping Ablaze sticks to their guns. Has the fortitude (and finances!) to see it through, and moves on to Kickstarter or some other route. I'd love to see a court decision regarding Conan and other Howard properties. License holders don't want to see that because they will lose. So they resort to threats and chest puffery. If they decide to go it alone I'll gladly give them my money. I'll even cancel my Marvel Conan pull list to give them more.
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Post by wolfshead on Sept 2, 2019 12:14:19 GMT -5
Maybe Marvel is threatening a lawsuit so they can publish the Glenat series. It makes more sense than just blocking Ablaze, which probably wouldn't compete with what Marvel is doing, but might, in fact, bring new readers to Conan, who might then go on to Marvel's Conans. It might bring more readers that Conan 2099 may lose, as the last straw for long time readers.
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Post by terryallenuk on Sept 2, 2019 13:36:10 GMT -5
Maybe Marvel is threatening a lawsuit so they can publish the Glenat series. It makes more sense than just blocking Ablaze, which probably wouldn't compete with what Marvel is doing, but might, in fact, bring new readers to Conan, who might then go on to Marvel's Conans. It might bring more readers that Conan 2099 may lose, as the last straw for long time readers. Not really Marvel making threats , they have no say in what happens elsewhere with Conan that's Cabinet/Conan Properties province. However it wouldn't surprise me if they put pressure on Diamond!
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Post by crimsonblade on Sept 3, 2019 10:08:37 GMT -5
I sent an email to info@ablazepublishing.com to see how customers can purchase this since Diamond caved. I pre-ordered all 4 variants from DCBS (really good discounts btw), but they order from Diamond.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2019 8:50:54 GMT -5
“Civilization” Crushes Public Domain Conan Comics by PulpHero Audio on youtube.
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