HEROES FOR HIRE #1 SELLS OUT @ DIAMOND

[MattBrady]

<i>Press Release</i>

<blockquote>The first issue of Heroes for Hire, leaping directly out of Civil War, has sold out at Diamond and a Second Printing Variant is on its way.

In Heroes for Hire #1, writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray along with fan-favorite artist Billy Tucci (Shi) bring to you a new ongoing series filled to the brim with action, adventure, and kung fu.

Palmiotti says, “Heroes for Hire features such an eclectic group of characters that there really is something for everyone in this series, and the book selling out so fast proves it. We are extremely happy about this news and the follow-up news that there will be a second printing only makes me happier because I know people will have another chance to pick it up if they missed it. We want to thank Marvel Comics, the retailers who support us and especially the fans."

Shawn Hill of SilverBulletComicBooks.com says Heroes for Hire #1 “is a nice read…with a strong concept and a diverse and interesting cast.”

A group of heroes including Spider-Man’s former flame Black Cat, the Daughters of the Dragon Colleen Wing and Misty Knight, the Master of Kung Fu Shang Chi, Paladin, and an all-new Tarantula unite to form one of Marvel’s unlikeliest groups ever.

Also, be sure to pick up Heroes for Hire #2, a Civil War tie-in, as comics’ newest team begins their hunt for the country’s most prominent fugitive – Captain America.

HEROES FOR HIRE #1 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (JUL068294)
Written by JUSTIN GRAY & JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Pencils & Cover by BILLY TUCCI
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99
FOC – 9/14, On Sale – 10/4/2006

HEROES FOR HIRE #2 (JUL061966)
Written by JIMMY PALMIOTTI & JUSTIN GRAY
Pencils & Cover by BILLY TUCCI
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99
FOC – 9/7, On Sale – 9/27/2006 </blockquote>

[Rockstars721]

everytime a book sells out there is a variant on the way.....

is anyone getting sick of this?

[Derf]

everytime a book sells out there is a variant on the way.....

is anyone getting sick of this?

Yes!! <aaa>

[MattBrady]

Yes!! <aaa> why?

MattB

[The 'Nam]

Makes sense to me.

In my opinion, variants are worse when they're in the first printing.

[ParisCub]

everytime a book sells out there is a variant on the way.....

is anyone getting sick of this?

Would you rather people couldn't read the book because it's sold out?
I think it's nice to have a variant cover to differentiate a second printing. besides, no one is forcing you to buy the variant if you already have the first issue.

[Nick MB]

My worry with putting variant covers on second prints is that the point of doing a further print run is to get the book into the hands of those who may have missed it first time round. If the comic company slap a variant on it, and as a result it ends up stuck up on the retailer's wall with a price mark-up, the job is not being done.
Obviously, since second print variants can be ordered freely without any strange 50/50 order rules, this shouldn't happen, and is hardly Marvel's direct fault if it does, but still.

[Mr. Dodds]

Don't all Marvel titles sell out?

I thought they were "print to order."

[Inferno]

They have not been print to order, as you put it, for quite some time. It is actually stated in almost every thread about sell outs, because people ask the question every time.

[Prometheus3]

Don't all Marvel titles sell out?

I thought they were "print to order."
Of course not. Where did you hear that? Saying that is like saying all DC titles sell out just because all the One Year Later books sold out in their first printing.

I for one am happy that Heroes for Hire #1 sold out. It is a good omen that the series will be around for a long time.

[Cray_ws]

why?

MattBAre you asking why is this a bad thing or why is Derf sick of sellout then there is a variant on the way? I can tell you I believe variants are bad, and I'm sick of it because it has nothing to do with what makes comics appealing to read.

Its all about publisher's greed, while I don't deny their right to make a buck, I don't appreciate them taking advantage of the retailers and guilable demographic.

Its unfortunate we have too many people in this hobby who have little or no courage to resist what publishers put on the shelves. Clear proof of that is the 90's era when people bought everything, including those foil-enhanced covers thinking they're investing in their child's college education fund.

Today that kinda mentality is few and far between, but there's still existance of "collectors" mentality. I can hear it right now, people are entitled to buy and collect whatever they want. I generally agree with that, but unfortunately in this hobby its fueling the worst that this hobby has to offer. Variants are being ordered as if they are seperate books, that takes away retailers resources to order other books which may deserve more shelf attention.

Cover prices are high and variants are robbing what little money there is to buy other titles.

Bottom line is Marvel & DC do not need crowding the shelves with variants. If they want to make more money they should concentrate on putting books out on time. Ultimates made Marvel alot money, but sadly it could've made twice as much as it has for them. All because of lateness. Just because people are still buying it late doesn't mean its not losing money. A book selling consistantly 20 copies for 12 months makes more than a book selling 30 copies for 6 months. Granted there are other factors involve such as cost of labor and resources.

Comics need readers, not poor man's art collectors.

[The 'Nam]

Of course not. Where did you hear that? Saying that islike saying all DC titles sell out just because all the One Year Later books sold out in their first printing.

I for one am happy that Heroes for Hire #1 sold out. It is a good omen that the series will be around for a long time.

Hmm, I doubt that. Reviews for the book have been mixed, and if it wasn't a a Civil War tie-in, it certainly wouldn't have done so well (obviously). Still, I don't see it lasting too long after the first 3 issues.

Especially when they already need a new artist on the fourth (!) issue.

[ME5]

Hello.

To Cray_ws: I wholeheartedly agree with your hatred of variant covers. They annoy the heck out of me. However, there is a huge difference between a comic that comes out with multiple covers for the same printing and REPRINTS of sold out issues coming out with a different cover since the reprints are only coming out due to retailer and (hopefully) fan demand.

When Mighty Avengers #1 comes out with its multiple variant covers, I will be annoyed. However, if Mighty Avengers came out with one cover, sold out, and retailers and fans wanted more of that issue, I would have no problem at all with Marvel doing a second printing with a different cover. The purpose of a reprint is to get it into the hands of people who missed it the first time. If people who have the first print ALSO want to spend money on the variant reprint, that is fine. Retailers, good ones, KNOW who wants a copy to read, and will ensure they get the reprint into those customers' hands. Then, the extras can be sold to the "gotta have every variant cover" crowd.

So, I agree with what you are saying about multiple covers for the same printing of a new comic. Unfortunately, I disagree with your statement when it is aimed at variant covers on second and subsequent printings because reprints are used to keep, or make, a book available to people who missed it the first time.

Be Well...:)

[Cray_ws]

Me5,

I think you underestimate publishers like Marvel when it comes to selling out and releasing a variant under the guise of it being a "second printing". A book like Heroes for Hire which has an artist with a history of lateness and sparse productivity, it wouldn't look good to release first print variants. The Backlash would be too much and ultimately risk the long term sale of the series. So they feel they can get away with releasing them under the guise of second printings. Seriously How many other books get second print variants that aren't number 1 issues or newly released series? Its 100% marketing, not genuine kindness to provide eveyone with an issue.

Mighty Avengers will sell on the "Avengers" name alone and Marvel can afford to release several first print variants without much public backlash.

[Jimmy Palmiotti]

although you have to be a nut to think that marvel isnt in the business of making money, this second printing is to get the book into more hands and it can be ordered by your retailer right now. just ask him to get you one ...cover price.

personally, all I care about it people who couldnt get the book have another chance. a different cover or not.

Really, why would someone who doesnt buy varients be upset by them...this is a second printing at cover price, not a 1 in 5 chase book.

ask your retailer to order it today...and get it. thats a cool concept.


cray: the book was not late. all I care about again, is that people have a chance to get a copy. perfect world, they would have overprinted.

nam: reviews are mixed, but the demand for more is there. word of mouth sells books, reviews only make a tiny bit of difference. think of all the movies you love and i bet a few had mixed reviews when they hit. :)

[Cray_ws]

Really, why would someone who doesnt buy varients be upset by them...this is a second printing at cover price, not a 1 in 5 chase book. Because you and I both know, it isn't just a simple case of a "sellout". The variants are printed and ready to go before press release of sellout is announced. This isn't forethought and planning, this is marketing and milking a new release for all its worth.

cray: the book was not late. all I care about again, is that people have a chance to get a copy. perfect world, they would have overprinted.I never said the book (Heroes for Hire) was late, but I wouldn't be surprised if it does miss a shipping date, of course no fault of you & and your writing partner Justin Gray.

I really don't have problems with second printings, more the merrier, but these days I'm little more skeptical of whether they are genuine reprints or excuses to crowd the shelves with variants.

On completely offtopic subject, when are we going to see more Wildstorm work from you & Justin? I absolutely loved 21 Down: The Conduit.

[Kolimar]

Good news. :)

[sephiroth617]

Is it a new cover or just a sketch cover?

That's all I want to know.

[burrfoot]

Because you and I both know, it isn't just a simple case of a "sellout". The variants are printed and ready to go before press release of sellout is announced. This isn't forethought and planning, this is marketing and milking a new release for all its worth.


Really? Why won't they be on sale until October then? I would think if they were all set to milk this new release they would strike while the iron is hot and not wait a month.

[ME5]

Hello.

To Cray_ws: Can you offer any kind of proof that Marvel deliberately planned to make a second printing without knowing how the first printing would sell? It sounds a bit far fetched, but you could be right. I just don't see it because how is Marvel going to know how many of the fist print run is going to sell?

Thanks for the polite reply.

Be Well...:)

[Blind Assassin]

everytime a book sells out there is a variant on the way.....

is anyone getting sick of this?

no, because no one is putting a gun to my head to buy every variant.

I mean, do you get mad every time there is a new Christmas special on to replace an old Christmas special that they no longer air?

See how silly that sounds?

[Blind Assassin]

My worry with putting variant covers on second prints is that the point of doing a further print run is to get the book into the hands of those who may have missed it first time round. If the comic company slap a variant on it, and as a result it ends up stuck up on the retailer's wall with a price mark-up, the job is not being done.
Obviously, since second print variants can be ordered freely without any strange 50/50 order rules, this shouldn't happen, and is hardly Marvel's direct fault if it does, but still.


Well, rest assured the retailers at Comicopia wouldn't mark up a 2nd print copy and put it on the wall.

So, if you are really worried that the book isn't going to get into the hands of those who want it, you have nothing to worry about from the retailers at our store. :cool:

[Jimmy Palmiotti]

Because you and I both know, it isn't just a simple case of a "sellout". The variants are printed and ready to go before press release of sellout is announced. This isn't forethought and planning, this is marketing and milking a new release for all its worth.

I never said the book (Heroes for Hire) was late, but I wouldn't be surprised if it does miss a shipping date, of course no fault of you & and your writing partner Justin Gray.

I really don't have problems with second printings, more the merrier, but these days I'm little more skeptical of whether they are genuine reprints or excuses to crowd the shelves with variants.

On completely offtopic subject, when are we going to see more Wildstorm work from you & Justin? I absolutely loved 21 Down: The Conduit.


trust me, they didnt know this was going to sell out...they had to scramble to get this done, thats why the press release didnt even come till a week later.

on 21 down...they still have the first trade in circulation and we offered them a chance to continue the book or at least print what we had done, but they passed. maybe we will get the property back one day...until then, check out the friday the 13th series we did for them coming dec.

thanks for all the replies.

JIMMY

[ME5]

Hello.

To Jimmy Palmiotti:

Thank you for coming online to tell us the TRUTH about this sell out. It is all fine to have people speculate about Marvel's conspiratorial attempts to control market numbers, but it is better to have people on the inside tell us the truth like you have done a few times on Newsarama, of late.

Good Luck,

Be Well...:)

[Ironhorse]

Ahh, I love this kind of press releases about sell-outs, especially when they come from Marvel, you know why?, because it's so entertaining and funny read all the conspiracy theories about how the market is gonna crumble and Joe Q at Marvel laughing like the Joker while he is ordering more variant covers. If you think about it, is funny. :D Peace.

[ANGELDOGGIE]

I think that a second printing works , especially for those that missed the first time around.

[ANGELDOGGIE]

Of course not. Where did you hear that? Saying that is like saying all DC titles sell out just because all the One Year Later books sold out in their first printing.

I for one am happy that Heroes for Hire #1 sold out. It is a good omen that the series will be around for a long time.
I agree that this is a good omen!! The book is an excellent read, and the art is top notch! And let me say that the cover makes you want it!!! (the book,man,the book!!!)

[EmeraldGuy32]

congrats Jimmy and Justin.

[BlackCatGuy]

Really, why would someone who doesnt buy varients be upset by them...this is a second printing at cover price, not a 1 in 5 chase book. :)


Y'know.................that hit the nail square on the head! Thank you!

C'mon people, the book sold out, because it's THATgood! Those who missed out , now get a second chance, at cover price no less, to read this great book!
And those that refuse to buy it because it's a "variant", or a Civil War tie-in, you are missing out on a truly wonderful book! This is what comic books could................and SHOULD be!:D :cool:

[BlackCatGuy]

And let me say that the cover makes you want it!!! (the book,man,the book!!!)

Speak for yourself ANGELDOGGIE, speak for yourself!:D I "want it", too but 'im talkin' about a specific character!!:cool: