ROBERT KIRKMAN'S FIVE REASONS TO PRE-ORDER INVINCIBLE

[MattBrady]

Never let it be said that creators don’t find a groove and stick with it. Last time, Robert Kirkman stopped by to offer five reasons why you should pre-order his new Marvel Team-Up series, illustrated by Scot Kolins.

This time, it’s a little closer to home, and Robert stopped by again with five more reasons for another of his titles…

And now, over to Robert…

Five reasons to Pre-Order Invincible.

1. Invincible is a new superhero. With trade paperbacks readily available it's easy to get in on the ground floor of an all new superhero universe.

I often hear people complaining about reading the same old stale adventures of the same old stale superhero that’s been around for 60 years. While I don't personally think those characters are completely stale, hence my work at Marvel, I do agree that the industry needs new blood, and here it is. Invincible is your chance to be there for the start of it all and watch a rich tapestry of superhero goodness grow and mature and evolve as time goes on. And it's all new... for the most part.

2. It's a Creator-Owned comic, with stability.

I think we all like creator-owned comics, though historically they sell less than corporate owned comics. There are many factors that contribute to that, such as character recognizability, and things like advertising budget. One of the things I think is a major factor is perceived stability. We've all done it, we see an add for a cool book we think we'll like but we don't buy it because we're unsure if it will ever make it past issue 4, and it may take the book a year to get to issue 4. We think to ourselves, if it's good, and it lasts, I'll pick up the trade. Who wants to support a late book anyway? Then, or course, the book dies, just like we thought it would. It's just a fact of the business, some books just don't last. Invincible is not one of those books.

Issue #16 was just released, our third TPB will be out in a matter of weeks. I'm making far-reaching plans on what to do in issue #50. We're here to stay, this book isn't going anywhere. Don't feel like we're going to leave you hanging, it's safe to support and enjoy this book. We're not teetering on the brink of cancellation. This is a healthy book and our sales are only getting higher every month... so please, give us a shot. On top of that, we ship issues on as near a monthly schedule as most Marvel or DC books. True, we may miss a week here or there, but there's always a new issue coming out in a matter of weeks. This is a stable, regular shipping book.

3. Creators who care.

Sure, all creators care, but not as much as us, it's just not possible. Ryan Ottley, Bill Crabtree, and myself make this book almost completely out of our own blood, sweat, and tears (though it's covered in vast amounts of paper and ink to mask the smell). I've often thought it shows in the work when a creator is really in love with a project, so I hope you can tell how much goes into each and every issue of Invincible. Ryan Ottley makes sweet love to each and every page. Bill sings them to sleep with his fine melodies of color and I do something equally ridiculous to them as well. Hell, even the new letterer Rus Wooton has been know to take the pages into the bathroom with him. I personally oversee this book every step of the way to assure that the level of quality remains consistent. This book is like a small, square, flat child to us.

4. There are no rules.

This is a book where characters can grow and change over time, there is no status quo we have to return to after every story line. This is a book where ,b>anything goes. At any given point in any issue of Invincible, anything can happen. There's no limit to who can live or die or two what twist or turn the story can take. When you pick up an issue of Invincible you have no idea what to expect, and I think that's a good thing. We're not doing this book to make stock holders happy. We do this book to make you happy.

5. Pre-Order the book and you're guaranteed to get it!

Don't just run into your store and expect it to be there. How many times have you gone to the store to pick up your favorite book and found that it has sold out and that you now have to drive across town to the other store or get it online and wait to read it? Never, if you're a responsible pre-ordering comic reader. You got a pull list at your local store? You're pre-ordering. Your job is done. You arrive every week (on whichever day is convenient) and you get your stack of books and it's exactly what you want. Your retailer thanks you. The only way to guarantee your books will be there is to be kind and courteous enough to inform your retailer ahead of time that you would like a copy to be held for you. Comics retailing ain’t easy. The way this industry is set up with a no return policy means that retailers have to order all their books ahead of time and then they’re stuck with them. These brave souls have to GUESS how many they can sell using market research and plain old intuition. Make their jobs easier... let them know ahead of time, what books you want. Then you get your books and retailers have a little less guess work to do. It’s a win/win situation! Pre-Ordering is your friend. It's the responsible thing to do. So seriously, even if it's not Invincible (and come on, throw a guy a bone here) start pre-ordering your comics.

Invincible #16 is in stores today - 9/29/04 and ships every month from Image comics. Time's a wastin' pre-order TODAY!

Click on the thumbnails for a preview of issue #16

[morty5]

Those preview pages look amazing.

[funjoe]

This is a great series. I picked up the first 2 trades a few weeks ago, loved them, loaned them to a friend, who also loved them and subsequently bought them, and now we're waiting anxiously for the 3rd trade.
Anyone who likes anything Marvel and/or DC puts out owes it to themselves to give this series a shot.

[whippis]

Great Book, read it. Read Noble Causes as well. Image is the home of really good superhero (and many good other) titles. Sorry if you don't read anything without "X" in its name- you're really missing out.

[RyanMcLelland]

Simply put this series is incredible. It's everything you would ever want in a comic book series...humor, action, great characters, superheroes, hot chicks.

If you read it, then you already know. If you don't read it, do yourself a favor and pick it up. Now....

[ceganjr]

Went into my store a few weeks ago lookin to pick up some trades. I didn't really know what i wanted so i asked the store owner to make a few suggestions. He picked up the first 2 Invinsible trades and handed them to me. And i'm glad he did. Its a very fresh, very fun look at superheros. Do yourself a favor and pick this up if you're into anything DC or Marvel puts out there, you won't be disappointed, guarenteed.
-Chuck

[DianaKingston]

I tried Invincible for about twelve or thirteen issues... didn't really work for me. The characters were a bit generic and unengaging IMO. Still, I'm glad it has its fanbase and I hope it maintains the level of success it deserves.

[VinnyPic]

Five Reaons to buy Invincible


Good. 5 reasons to buy WALKING DEAD (if you dont...):


1....ZOMBIES
2. WILL
3. EAT
4. YOUR
5. BRAINS

[batlsby]

Read this book. I started it and gave up after 4 issues because my store was inconsistant in it's ordering, but I [icked it up again at about issue 10 and have been kicking myself for dropping it in the first place. No one is going to say that this book isn't good. THey might not like it personally, but they will admit it is at least a decent read. Even people who read mostly X-titles (me) will like this book, so TRY IT!

[madb0mber]

Not exactly on topic, but since there's a big, long paragraph about it...

The fact that we're expected to preorder the things we want or not get them is indicitive of everything that's wrong with comics as a business. Retailers, distributors, and publishers try to put all the marketing and inventory control on the consumer and make us feel like it's our fault when we can't get the product we want. Is there any other industry on Earth that follows that same business model?

You know what I do when I go to the shop and the comics I want aren't there? I spend my money on video games (or some other form of entertainment), just like every other dork who can't get the comics he wants. That money is lost to the comic industry at large because there isn't anyone working hard to get my dollar. And my next dollar, for that matter.

Let me state that I enjoyed the first four issues of Invincible, and I hope to pick up the series of trades soon (Wizard World Dallas, hopefully). This isn't directed at its creators or anyone specifically, but since it was brought up and I was in the mood to comment on it... you know

[COREMARK]

I bought the first 2 trades of Invincible as well, very good read. It's not only a good superhero book, but it is a very funny book as well.

[Xaraan]

Well, I can't say enough good things about this book. Just check out my reviews of the last few issues in the Reviews section here at Newsarama. It has been one of my favorite books and I get well over a hundred monthly titles. Anyone who likes Superhero comics should check this out and even if you like other genres of comics, I still think it would be worth picking up; you may still love it.

[Evil Gilligan]

I haven't checked this out yet for some reason but may have to since I loooove "The Walking Dead".

[thingone]

Originally posted by madb0mber
... because there isn't anyone working hard to get my dollar. And my next dollar, for that matter.

Kirkman's working hard to try to win your dollar with his "Five Reasons" pitches!

[madb0mber]

Originally posted by thingone
Kirkman's working hard to try to win your dollar with his "Five Reasons" pitches!

I meant on the retail and distribution side of things. Sorry. I should have clarified.

[samnoir]

Originally posted by madb0mber
I meant on the retail and distribution side of things. Sorry. I should have clarified.

My personal favourite of all the Kirkman Image books was Cloudfall. He's kickstarted the Alien Conspiracy movie on paper in the same way The Walking Dead is a love letter to Zombies.

I hope we will be able to see more books of that title. I loved the art on that title.

___________________________

VERY RARE DAVE MCKEAN SILVER INK POSTER for sale on eBay!

SON OF ORIGINS Vintage Marvel 70's Trade for sale on eBay.

[CaptainTemerity]

Originally posted by madb0mber
Not exactly on topic, but since there's a big, long paragraph about it...

The fact that we're expected to preorder the things we want or not get them is indicitive of everything that's wrong with comics as a business. Retailers, distributors, and publishers try to put all the marketing and inventory control on the consumer and make us feel like it's our fault when we can't get the product we want. Is there any other industry on Earth that follows that same business model?

Actually, I work retail. In fact, I work for the largest electronics retailer.

Day in, day out, I see the disappointment on people's faces when they come in and can't find a certain item they're looking for. Be it because it sold out, or that it's something we don't normally stock. Whatever the case, disappointment.

That said, having the opportunity to order the stuff you want ahead of time, to ensure you'll get it... that's not too shabby. Sure, it's nice to not have to make that initial judgement. To be able to thumb through an issue on the shelf before you decide. That way, it's all on your shop-owner. They're the only ones with something to lose (since the distributors and publishers have worked it out of being their problem any more, by killing returnability or re-orderability).

But, yeah, if I want a book, and I know it's coming out, I'm pretty sure it's nice to know that I -can- order it. That I don't have to miss out.

As for video games and DVDs... the ones people think will sell out... they have pre-orders for those too. And it's handled with a lot less care than what your comic shop owner is doing, because your dollar is a lot less important to the big guys than to the little ones.

I know you weren't picking on your shop or anything. Just wanted to offer a different perspective.

[wiggsdannyboy]

I'm not sure is Robert is reading this thread, but I'm worried that he is getting disinformation from Image (as they're known to do). I run one of the nations largest comic shops, and we've had MULTIPLE backorders for the V1 trade that haven't been filled in MONTHS! There is a HUGE interest on the title, definatly, but I've only been able to get Volume 2 for the last eight weeks at least, which makes it, well, difficult, to say the least, to promote the book. I worry because it seems from the interview that he thinks that the trades have been available the whole time. Robert, they haven't. And this time, I mean it.

[MichaelCoughlin]

Hell, even the new letterer Rus Wooton has been know to take the pages into the bathroom with him. I personally oversee this book every step of the way to assure that the level of quality remains consistent.

Uh, does this mean that Rob is personally watching a dude while he's in the bathroom?

I've been with this book from the beginning, pushed it on everyone I know, had a freaking letter published in the last issue! But if this is the case, then I dunno. That sounds kind of weird.

[Yor!]

I LOVE the book. But I read the trades because I want to keep them preserved for the future.

Though if the book is in trouble, I will buy the monthly issue's. Is that the case here (because of Kirkman's "five reasons")?

[thingone]

Originally posted by Yor!
Though if the book is in trouble, I will buy the monthly issue's. Is that the case here (because of Kirkman's "five reasons")?

Answer contained in reason 2:

Originally posted Robert Kirkman via MattBrady
We're not teetering on the brink of cancellation. This is a healthy book and our sales are only getting higher every month.

[Yor!]

Originally posted by thingone
Answer contained in reason 2:

*slaps himself* READ Yor! READ!

[gvalley]

I always get Brit when it comes out, and it's good. The first 'Invincible' TPB is on my 'to buy' list, and I'll definitely get to it sooner rather than later.

I've took notice of the series quite some time ago, but for whatever reason haven't acted on it yet.

[Jack Burton]

This has become one of my favorite books. Month in and out a great read. I reccommend to anyone who is a superhero fan.

[GOSD]

Great book, I love it!