DEVIL'S DUE ANNOUNCES TALENT CALDWELL VARIANT COVER TO GI JOE #31

[MattBrady]

<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Devils_Due/gijoe_31_talent_cover.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Devils_Due/gijoe_31_talent_cover_t.jpg" width="175" height="266" hspace="1" border="0" align="right"></a><i>Press Release</i>

<blockquote>Devil’s Due Publishing would like to announce a surprise special cover for G.I. Joe issue #31, by Talent Caldwell and Aspen Studios. The image is to celebrate the debut of the three part back up story, Fantom, drawn by the studio, which introduces the new villain WRAITH to the series.

As stated in previous releases, Aspen’s 3 part BACK UP story runs from issue #31 to #33, with variants for #31 and #32 by Talent Caldwell, and #33 by Michael Turner.

While the former two covers are being solicited in Previews for items shipping in July and August respectively, the variant for issue #31 has only become available after orders for the other cover have been placed (items shipping in June). The goal is to create a highly collectible cover that retailers can order at the normal cover cost, while being fairly confident its secondary value will do well. Fans who wish to order the cover are highly recommended to reserve copies with their retailers as this is soon to become a highly sought after comic book.

WRAITH promises to test alliances and loyalties as he plays both sides of the fence, but is ultimately DESTRO’s own personal mercenary.

When asked about working with Devil's Due and helping to design Wraith, the new G.I. Joe character, Talent Caldwell said, "I'm really excited to be working on this project. I've always been a huge Joe fan, and being asked to design a new major character like this is really flattering. I've wanted to do some work on G.I. Joe for a while, and this special story wound up being the perfect fit. It's been a lot of fun and I hope everyone enjoys what we have in store for them!"

Devil’s Due Publishing continues to shake up the comic book world with creative storylines and artwork, and this collaboration with Aspen has just reinforced DDP’s commitment to bringing its fans the best and most unexpected creative material possible.

This item is only available as a Previews Update in the May 26th issue of Diamond Dateline, and is listed as APR045098 E GI JOE TALENT CALDWELL CVR #31 (PU #624). Ask your retailer how you can order this special cover.

Visit www.devilsdue.net for more information about Devil's Due Publishing, and the wide variety of entertaining comic books they offer. </blockquote>

[JDooley]

Will history look back at these time and blame or congratulate Michael Turner and Aspen studios for the resurgance in the variant cover market. It all started with the new TT issue 1 ( and batman 608) , and gone on to his Batman/Superman stuff. Jim Lee's Batman also had a big hand in bringing back the variants. I know my retailer doesn't like them. Astonishing X is planning variants also.

[Supreme Convoy]

It's an alright looking cover, nothing spectacular about it.

But I do agree with you on variants, we don't need the overkill on covers. I think Marvel's directors cuts are reasonable since you get more materials if you want to shell out for it.

[Josh Blaylock]

Hello there,

I usually stay out of these discussions, but I felt just once like sharing our side of things at Devil's Due. Yes, variants are a quick bang for a lot of publishers bucks, but I actually feel the opposite. I think doing a "directors cut" makes someone feel MORE obligated to buy a variant, because it contains something the other version doesn't - especially since they come out after everyone's already bought the previous version.

The same goes for the old 90's gimmicks where they include a couple of different pages in each variant, forcing you to buy 5 covers of almost identical books to get maybe 1 new page of art each.

As long as you don't have a jillion different covers (which I profess being guilty of for Joe/TF #1, but fortunately most of them moved well for retailers), I don't see a problem with a couple of different covers for special events. The story and interiors are the same, and you can simply choose which cover you like the best.

I DO understand what everyone's worried about, though, and that is that publishers are starting to 'break the barrier' that led to the insanity of the 90's, after years with virtually no reprints, and that's an understandable, valid concern.

[Fresco]

Originally posted by Josh Blaylock
Yes, variants are a quick bang for a lot of publishers bucks, but I actually feel the opposite...

I DO understand what everyone's worried about, though, and that is that publishers are starting to 'break the barrier' that led to the insanity of the 90's, after years with virtually no reprints, and that's an understandable, valid concern.
Nothing personal Josh...
but if you hate variants, then don't do Variants.
Arent you the big boss at Devil's Due?
If you LIKE variants, then don't apopogize for them in your concern for the industry.
Personally, variants are cool...
when there are no strings attached.

'the politician' double-speak thats going around on thesubject gets old fast. (we need election reform, but I'll take the money from special intrest groups just the same--since everyone else is doing it)

No one has clean hands, when they all dip in the cookie jar.
One cookie, or a lot of cookies--
them fingers aint coming out clean for nobody.

You never struck me as someone who was gonna jump in... take the money and run. I always saw you as someone who is really passionate about the industry, and has a true love for the artform. No one stays in it and struggles year after year if they didn't love it. Its one of the reasons I was so happy for you when Devil's Due hit it big. Plus the industry needs you in it-- now more than ever.

Wishing you continued success.

[PNilson]

...I like variant covers. In moderation and for a reason.
If there is a special event or big name talent (no pun intended), I'm OK with a variant cover.
I think they are fun. Danger-Girl was 7 issues long and I'm still hunting for a few variants for that series... and it's fun. I enjoy the hunt. It's part of collecting.
I can think of times when a title shouldn't have had variants... (Dollz #1, Hipflask: Unnatrual Selection, Astonishing X-Men)
...But you put Jim Lee or Michael Turner on DC's flagship titles after a long absence from comics and the hype is there, the fans are there, the retailers are there, the extra money is there, and the extra art is so very worth it.
I personally like Talent Caldwell's art better than Michael Turner's (I'm entitled to my opinion) and to me this is an event and more art by Talent is a good thing.
This is not bitching about gas prices here folks. You have a choice. You can blame the publishers with their hands in the jar but the demand is there and maybe you should start yelling at the consumers who buy the variants and create the demand like myself and leave Josh Baylock alone for supplying a product he believes there is a demand for.

Peter M. Nilson
peteyn@hotmail.com

[PNilson]

Oh yeah..... Exactly how many variants are there to your "Art of Franchesco" comic at www.nuffsaidcomics.com ?

Get your hands out of the jar first!

-Peter M. Nilson;)

[Fresco]

Originally posted by PNilson
Oh yeah..... Exactly how many variants are there to your "Art of Franchesco" comic at?

Get your hands out of the jar first!
um dude-- first off... thanks for the plug.. and to answer your question-- ONE!
yup, you read it right, one variant.

If you look at my post, I said I LIKED variants.
I like variants with no strings attached.
Not sure what you were going for by posting the link
I got nothing to hide--
I've done a bunch of other variant covers for other companies too
...and was happy to do it!

http://www.franchesco.com/view/BTkalia.jpg


ie (chaser variants on Astonishing)
the "art of Franchesco!" variant has no strings attached.
You don't have to buy the ART OF PETER M. NILSEN--
or something like that to get it from me.


Not that its any of your business, but Nuffsaidcomics is a RETAILER-- and he can charge as little or as much for those "Art of..." books as he wants to. I don't make a dime off of them... I can't tell him what to do with them, even if I wanted to-- and I don't want to. I will do whatever I can to help any retailer, and when nuffsaid suggested a variant for the "art of..." --I was all for it. I like nuffsaid a hell of a lot, and was happy to make the book avilable through them.

Anyone who got that variant from me at a convention or personal appearance, will confirm they got it for the same exact price as the regular version. They had a choice on the cover they liked-- nothing more, nothing less. I could have charged more ...but I didn't-- not that its any of your business dude.

thanks again for the plug-- the check is in the mail Dawg.

[PNilson]

Y'know, I went back and re-read everything and I think I took your post the wrong way. I'm sorry.

I order from nuffsaid comics on occasion and I recall there being more variants to that comic. (A nude variant?) I went there just now and there is but one lonley variant. Sorry. (apology #2)

You were not being critical of the variants, it was the post trying rationalize and excuse them that you were being critical of.

To get get things back on track....

[PNilson]

I looked at the sketches Talent did and the costume looks amazing! Destro is one of my favorites because he has his own agenda and it's nice to see him get some muscle in his corner.
I'm looking forward to this story and the beautiful variants by Caldwell! :p

[Fresco]

Originally posted by PNilson
...I order from nuffsaid comics on occasion...
no harm done Dawg... its all good!

Thanks for throwing some of your business in nuffsaidcomics' direction. If not for fans like you who take an active interest, this hobby would not be nearly as much fun... and pretty much non-existent.

NO fans equals NO industry-- regardless what creators; publishers; and retalilers do...or don't do, its all about the FANS... and I for one wanna thank you all for making it all possible!



:) and now back to our regularly scheduled programming...

[Cray_ws]

Originally posted by Josh Blaylock
Hello there,

I usually stay out of these discussions, but I felt just once like sharing our side of things at Devil's Due. Yes, variants are a quick bang for a lot of publishers bucks,--------------------------- and that's an understandable, valid concern. Josh,
I think your explaination was standard excuse for a publisher. You pretty much said what Joe Quesada said about the X-men variants. You would've been better off just standing behind the idea of having variants. Your response comes across hypocritical and a sad attempt to gain the posters symthathy fort your editorial dilemna to increase sales.

Talent Caldwell could've done a poster or a centerfold insert, that would be clearly portayed as reward. Other ideas to increase sales; Lower the cover price, if not temporary. How about promoting something like buy 2 issues of GIJoe and get the 3rd one free or half price. There are alot more creative ways to promote these books especially considering GIJoe has toy line, cartoon, and extremely loyal fanbase. Use the toys & cartoon as incentitive. Come up with a deal with Hasbro to tie-in a deal like inserting coupons in the books redeemable for action figures or cartoon DVDs.

My last advice is seek TV advertising support from Hasbro, have them promote the comics along with the toys.

[FIG]

That character design looks different and totally something I wouldn't expect to see in G.I.Joe. and thats why I like it. I'd like to see a full body shot. Cool stuff Talent.

[PNilson]

There are more sketches at: http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazines/wizard/WZ20040428-wraith.cfm