KYLE BAKER SIGNS EXCLUSIVE WITH KYLE BAKER PUBLISHING

[MattBrady]

Press Release

Kyle Baker Publishing announced today it has finalized an exclusive agreement with the legendary cartoonist and graphic novel pioneer Kyle Baker, granting the cartoonist an unprecedented degree of creative control and profit participation.

“KBP is an amazing publisher. I’ve had a great working relationship with them for years,” says Baker. “They’ve done an incredible job with NAT TURNER and the CARTOONIST books. When I saw what they had planned for 2006, I was ready to sign on the dotted line.”

As much praise as Baker has for his publisher, a good deal of the credit for the company’s meteoric success rests with Baker, who has created for KBP such terrific characters as NAT TURNER and, well, KYLE BAKER.

“Yes, it’s safe to say that Kyle Baker drawing Kyle Baker is the perfect fit between character and creator,” observes Kyle Baker Publishing president Elizabeth Glass. “Kyle Baker is the character Kyle Baker was born to draw.”

While sources are hesitant to divulge specific dollar amounts, it has been verified that Baker’s new contract grants him one hundred percent of all profits.

“That’s including toys,” notes Glass, gesturing at the prototypes of the Baker Family Play Set, photos of which appear in the current issue of THE BAKERS, which debuted in stores last week. “We really didn’t want to give him toy or DVD participation, but he was adamant. Basically he gets everything. Him and his family. The DVD looks great, by the way. He will make a shitload of money when that thing drops this winter.”

The current friendly atmosphere is a marked difference from a few months ago, when public battles over missed deadlines and out of control budgets nearly resulted in Baker’s being ousted from the two KBP titles he currently draws.

Baker first butted heads with the suits when he impulsively delivered a 48 page manuscript for a 32 page book, NAT TURNER #1. He followed this up by delivering THE BAKERS #1 late, also with an extra 16 pages too much.

Glass shakes her head, remembering those days. “You can’t do stuff like that, come in a month late with an extra 32 pages! You know what that costs? People get fired over ____ like that! Who sells 48 pages for $3? That’s crazy stuff! Anyway, the books are getting great reviews, and we’re doing numbers any indy would give his left nut for. So he was right.

“Also, his schedule has been lightened considerably, with that DC book out of the way. So now he can really focus on NAT TURNER and THE BAKERS. In stores now, so cop ‘em!”

[Mr Wesley]

Cute.

[algertman]

OMGWTFBBQ! I NEVER SAW THAT COMING!

HOW ARE DC AND MARVEL GONNA TOP THAT

[C.Kent]

This is great news for the industry! Now if only Kyle Baker could sign Plastic Man to an exclusive, man that would be cool.

Congratulations Kyle. I'm sure that your working with Kyle Baker will produce the finest Baker/Baker product.

[HeX111]

Well... that just gave me a pretty good laugh...

[adamcasey]

The Bakers looked mighty tempting on the shelf last week. Maybe I'll go back and get it.

[Spider-Bob]

I love Kyle's sense of irony. I have been reading the Plastic Man series to my 3 year-old daughter and I think that DC should consider marketing this book under the Johnny DC banner. I know it doesn’t sell well in the mass market, but given my daughter's response other kids would love it and it deserves to live on.

[BlueThunderArmy]

I don't know. I like Kyle Baker's style, but I'm not sure how well he'll fit with Kyle Baker's existing titles.

[jedifish]

Pretty funny.

Plastic Man is canceled with #20 by the way, Spider-Bob

[roach04]

Awesome - finally an exclusive I care about! This is great news for Baker and Baker.

[Michael C Lorah]

Brilliant. Even Kyle Baker's press releases are more enjoyable than most of the other comics hitting the shelves today.

Anyway, top talent teaming up with a top publisher can only lead to superb work!!

[Glen Cadigan]

I laughed so hard, I broke all my furniture!

[Michael K. Willis]

Best press release ever

I'm sorry to see Plastic Man go but I'm glad to hear that there's more Kyle Baker goodness to come even without that monthly dose of Plas.

[BriGuy]

That's H.G., my friends, and for all of you that aren't in my close circle of friends (which would be all of you), that means it was funny.

[Neuromancer]

I think we need Cup o'Kyle Fridays now, no?

[Amoebas]

Now if only Kyle Baker can get Kyle Baker to finish (or at least tell us) the conclusion to that certain unfinished 'black silhouette' story he and Andy ceased working on years ago.

[Mr Wesley]

Originally posted by Glen Cadigan
I laughed so hard, I broke all my furniture!

That's not Baker. That's Giffen/DeMattis.

[Ectocooler]

Are you serious? Plas is canned?

Wow I am officially buy 0 books from DC now. That was the last one left. Well that's not true there's still Superman/Shazam but that's what like a 4 issue mini, and Villains United has 1 more issue to go.

Thanks DC for saving me lots of money!

[Derrick Fish]

Ahhh. this just made my day. Nobody promotes like Kyle Baker.

[Atomic Midni]

I'm still gonna miss his Plastic Man
But now I'll get some great comics from Kyle Baker Publishing

[apoehler]

Originally posted by Mr Wesley
That's not Baker. That's Giffen/DeMattis.

Nope, that's Giffen/Fleming.

[Kep]

BRILLIANT!!!

[ShadoJakk]

sigh.

I have to ask. Am i the only one to notice?
Ms. Glass states that the dvd will make a "shitload" of money when it comes out.

Yet,later on..

"People get fired over ____ like that!"

Why censor the second part over the first?

Just seemed silly.

And congrats to Mr Baker. I am sorry to hear about DC cancelling his book,but hope he gets more money and respect self publishing.

[matthewstarnes]

Oh, my god. I almost pissed myself.
That's funny.

[Derrick Fish]

Waitamin...

What's that about a DVD?! Enquiring minds want to know...