AUGUSTYN: METRON PRESS STILL ALIVE

[MattBrady]

Despite the departure of former Creative Director and line founder Mario Ruiz, Metron Press’ line editor Brian Augustyn has sent a letter to Newsarama stating that the graphic novel imprint of the American Bible Society is still alive.

Augustyn’s letter reads:

REPORTS OF METRON'S DEMISE VERY PREMATURE

by Brian Augustyn, Metron Press Line Editor

Some readers of the article on Metron Press which began running on Newsarama on 6-21-04 may come away with the impression that Metron is dead [Newsarama Note: Newsarama originally reported, “according to former Creative Director Mario Ruiz, the line as it was originally envisioned is dead thanks to internal struggles at ABS”]. As someone intrinsically involved with the imprint, I can gladly state that nothing could be further from the truth. While we are certainly at a crossroads of sorts, we remain as fully committed as ever to the original goals of Metron Press: to bring our audience the very best in graphic storytelling. Be assured, Metron Press is alive, well and thriving.

It's true that there are discussions and negotiations underway to determine the
exact make-up of our publishing line, but we are moving forward. We are continuing to learn how the graphic novel form can most effectively carry out the American Bible Society’s goal of making Bible stories, themes and ideals accessible to a new generation. Some of the material previously announced may yet be published under the Metron banner, but the exact disposition of those projects will be announced as soon possible. Beyond that, we're in the process of envisioning a wide range of great new projects to take us into the future.

It is also a fact that Metron is looking anew at expanding our scope to include the Christian book marketplace, but Metron Press will continue to serve both the comics specialty shops and the mainstream trade book stores as well.

As Trevon Gross, Vice President of Domestic Programs for the American Bible Society has said, "We see this move as a broadening of Metron Press' vision, not a contraction. This as an opportunity to reach as wide a range of readers as we can with our product."

As we continue to grow and progress over the next months, we will be announcing our new projects. We can easily guarantee, however, that Metron Press will continue to work with the best and brightest writers and artists in the business to produce affecting and effective graphic novels. Watch for great things from us and believe me, Metron Press is here to stay!

[ruggeder]

Not even if Adam Hughes, Kevin Nowlan, Frank Miller, Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, and Mike Mignola all had books there. IMO

But good luck anyway.

[Heroic Images]

At least to counter that one horrid post (how creepy is that guy?), I want to wish Metron Press well. I met some of theinvolved creators at last year's Wizard World Chicago, and they were friendly gents all.

It's a message worth fighting for! God bless.

Davey

[hondo]

This is great news indeed. I am far from being a Bible thumping fundamentalist, but I do see a timeless greatness to the stories in the Bible and think this is a GREAT way to expand that message to a larger audience.

I guess I was one of the posters that thought that ABS had pulled the plug on Metron Press. I'm so glad they haven't and am relieved to hear from Brian Augustyn.

I am going to find the couple of volumes that they did publish and eagerly look forward to more from them.

The one thing that really did attract me more than anything is the extremely heavy caliber of professionals that they had lined up. I hope this continues.

[GeorgeG]

I think it was pretty clear in the first article that there was a division between Metron Press & Ruiz in what kind of titles were to be published.

[OM]

[Bell Ringing]

"BRING OUT YERR DEAD COMIC BOOK COMPANIES! BRING OUT YERR DEAD!!"

"Here's one!"

"Is it dead?"

"It most certainly is! It's a dead comic book company!"

"...I'm...not...dead..."

"Oh yes you are! Quit whining!"

"Waitaminit now, squire...are you *sure* it's dead?"

"Of course it's dead! Why, I would *never* be so rude as to put a -live- comic book company on your cart!"

"Well, it better be dead, because I'm already catching heat from Central Disposal over that last pickup I did."

"Wot, you mean CrossGen?"

"Exactly, squire. And that Alessi bloke *still* claims his company's not dead!"

"...I'm...not...dead...I...feeeel....happ pyyy..."

"Oh shut up! You're dead!"

"Yeah, wot were you thinking anyway, Gross? Nobody reads comics for lessons on the Holy Bible! That would be *entertainment!* Nobody wants to be entertained by Scriptures written by the Finger of God and all that! Enlightened, yes. Fearful, definitely! But Entertained? Not!"

"Absolutely *not*! Why, if they want to hear and read what the Bible has to say, then they go to a priest or preacher and get bored on Sundays like a normal person would! It's what God would want, and we don't question His will on matters like that!"

"...Butt....I'mm...not...dead...and...I'm ....certainly...NOT...borrinnngg..."

"No, but you're annoying. Uh...could you?"

"Sure"

"...I'm...not...dead...I...feel...hap[WHAM!] [THUD!]"

"There ye'go, squire!"

"Thanks! See you next Tuesday!"

[Deuxmakina]

He he... funny (I guess).

There's a message in The Bible, there are stories to be told, great stories, and there is need to spread those stories. If anyone doesn't want to buy them, ok, it's their choice (free will, remember?), but there is people who want to read them and find a way to connect with them, let it be.

<>< Jn 3:16

[GuitarSmashley]

After having my psot removed I just want to say I have found something useful for the bible here in my hotel room. Its keeping my cell phone pressed down against the charger. So last time I closed with a TOOL lyric this time I'll close with something abit more intelecyual to you big bunch of pussy censors
"Religion is the opiate of the masses"

Karl Marx

[boz]

Well I hope that things do work out for Metron Press. I think that they will do best if they don't focus on being successful but rather focus on the content and messages they send out with their books. They are treading on risky ground within the Christian market. As long as they make sure the Lord is honored first by the content in their books the rest will be worked out.

Boz

[Trebuchet]

It's pretty clear now that Mario Ruiz had creative differences with ABS and/or its constituency and they pulled the plug on him . Looks like a "either he goes or I go" thing and Ruiz merely aired the dirty laundry before anyone could blink. It'll be interesting to see what sorts of creative changes will occur (if any) now that he's gone. It makes me wonder, though, if the split wasn't about something more personal. Hmmmm...oh well, I guess we'll never really know.

I think I'm going to hold my judgement on whether or not this is good news until I read an issue first. If it's anything like the preview copy I picked up at last year's Comicon I'll be happy.

[Trebuchet]

BTW guitaryoni: Karl Marx was wrong about a great many things.

It's always SO nice to have someone come into a forum just to bash a religion. On your weekends do you troll Pokemon forums looking to make 10 year-olds cry? Do you find amusement spray-painting swastikas on synagogues in your spare time? I mean, WTF??

[OM]

Originally posted by Trebuchet
BTW guitaryoni: Karl Marx was wrong about a great many things.

...Actually, his theory about religion is the basis for my theory about a certain form of music:

"Karl Marx said 'religion is the opiate of the masses'. I say that Country *and* Western music is the coal tar heroin of the stupid *and* the inbred."

Gotta love the man, even if he was obviously a nutcase...

[GuitarSmashley]

Originally posted by Trebuchet
BTW guitaryoni: Karl Marx was wrong about a great many things.

Do you find amusement spray-painting swastikas on synagogues in your spare time? I mean, WTF??

Actually I'm jewish I just find a religion based on missionary work and telliung people they will go to hell for not believing in their faith I purely posted because I enjoy having a sense of humor. And come on whats funnier than a guy with long hair who has a lot of crazy ideas his name is jimmy and he's sleeping with my mom

[Trebuchet]

Originally posted by OM
...Actually, his theory about religion is the basis for my theory about a certain form of music:

"Karl Marx said 'religion is the opiate of the masses'. I say that Country *and* Western music is the coal tar heroin of the stupid *and* the inbred."

Gotta love the man, even if he was obviously a nutcase...

I have to admit you got me there. "stupid and inbred"<----------- lol

[Planit]

Originally posted by Trebuchet
Hmmmm...oh well, I guess we'll never really know.

Oh, you'll know... Just give it time....

[Kolimar]

Originally posted by guitaryoni
Actually I'm jewish I just find a religion based on missionary work and telliung people they will go to hell for not believing in their faith I purely posted because I enjoy having a sense of humor. And come on whats funnier than a guy with long hair who has a lot of crazy ideas his name is jimmy and he's sleeping with my mom

What's troubling your soul, son?

This place is meant to give peace of mind. Use it.

Best o'luck for Metron Press.

[Jason A. Quest]

Originally posted by guitaryoni
After having my psot removed I just want to say I have found something useful for the bible here in my hotel room. Its keeping my cell phone pressed down against the charger. So last time I closed with a TOOL lyric this time I'll close with something abit more intelecyual to you big bunch of pussy censors

Originally posted by Trebuchet
On your weekends do you troll Pokemon forums looking to make 10 year-olds cry?

I would've guessed he was one of the victims in that scenario.

Guitaryoni, in one breath you gloat that someone else is having trouble getting their work published, and in the next you pout that someone else didn't let you use their message board to post insulting messages. Please grow up, and stop acting like a whiny pubescent hypocrite.

I already know the stories Metron's adapting and the messages they're hoping to convey pretty well, probably better than most self-described Christians (which I'm not), so my main interest in them is my academic curiosity in how they handle it. I don't particularly care whether they "reach" anyone, already in their choir or not. But I'm glad to see they're staying in the game, because the closest I come to being religious is my devotion to freedom of belief and expression. Books like this (and Allred's LDS book, and even hokey stuff like the old Spire comics or freaky shit like Chick tracts) deserve a shot at an audience and a spot on the shelves of every bookstore. After all, the questions addressed by religious writings (whatever position they take) are arguably the most profound things humanity undertakes.

[Buzz Dixon]

Jack Chick ROCKS! Say what you like, he is a genuine cultural icon!

[hondo]

He is disturbingly entertaining in much the same way that interstate wreckage is.