Deppey's Insistence That The Direct Market Causes All Woe

Dirk Deppey...dear Lord, there is no problem that he can't try to pin on the Direct Market.

Regarding Virgin's collapse, more than a few watchers have indicated they don't think the DM is to blame. Tom Spurgeon was one of those watchers...and Deppey quoted the following from Spurgeon's site:

I would be hesitant to put all of the blame for Virgin’s predicament or even a significant amount of blame on the Direct Market of comic book and specialty shops. I would point to a broader reason: they didn’t make comics that a lot of people wanted. Certainly the DM is calcified to an unbelievable degree. Not only is it absolutely conditioned to sell American mainstream superhero comic books, it’s at the point where it’s becoming more and more defined by its ability to sell certain books of that type rather than all of them. You can count the successful crasher to that particular party on one hand.

At the same time, Virgin certainly seemed to offer bookstore-ready books in addition to comics. Since I don’t recall the books setting the world on fire any more than the comic books, and without some inside knowledge of the company that tells me they were banking on serial comics sales to the exclusion of any other revenue stream, it’s hard for me to say that it’s the market rather than the works themselves that were at fault.

Deppey's response?

I would dispute this to the extent that I’ve never actually seen a Virgin TPB in a chain bookstore — and I keep a regular watch on the shelves of my local Borders and Barnes & Noble branches — so while I’m not privy to the company’s marketing tactics, it seems to me that either they never really had a proper mass-market strategy in place, or said strategy was so badly bungled that it effectively left the company at the mercy of the Direct Market by omission.

Doesn't that effectively admit that overall incompetence, not the DM, was what led to the downfall? Or am I misunderstanding things?

The Downfall Of Virgin Comics

Reposting a comment I left regarding Virgin Comics' demise over on Brian Hibbs blog:

I had confidence Virgin was trying to get it right when they paired Ritchie with Diggle and Woo with Ennis. Gameskeeper only caught my eye because of Ritchie...and kept my wallet because of Diggle & Mukesh (sp?).

But I always thought it was a risky situation because they had to be paying names like Ritchie, Woo & Cage pretty well...and not shortchanging Diggle, Ennis or Carey, either. It occurred to me that they might be relying on some sort of multimedia deal that they'd participate in to make a profit.

You'd think that Virgin would have been smart enough to try to get the word out and make sure their stuff got in front of a motivated audience. Thankfully, I'll always have the Ritchie/Diggle/Singh Gameskeeper. I await the day that Jason Statham tries to do an Eastern European accent to get the starring role in the film.

It should, also, be noted that they, also, did plenty of variant covers. John Cassaday contributed a lot of them to the Gamekeeper series. Yet more expenses that wouldn't seem to do them any favors with the bookstore crowd they were talking about.

And for Pete's sake...couldn't they have run a promo in Virgin Stores where any purchase of a Guy Ritchie, Nicholas Cage or John Woo DVD netted you a free comic (two if you bought FACE/OFF, obviously)? ;)

Preview Pages: Blade of the Warrior: Kshatriya #1

Virgin Comics sent over the following preview of their new book, Blade of the Warrior: Kshatriya #1.

“An exiled prince, whose kingdom was stolen by his demonic brother, returns for revenge in this epic sword-and-sorcery tale of bravery, retribution and family war set in a mysterious eastern kingdom. Torn between vengeance and honor, and forced to survive only with his wits and the mystic black blade he wields more fiercely than any man, Kshatriya’s (shut-ree-yuh) path is paved with blood on his journey to becoming the greatest warrior the world has ever known.”






Is it exclusive? Exclusive? We don't need no stinking exclusive.

Virgin Comics Comic Con Internationale Schedule

Straight from the press release:

"Virgin Comics is gearing up for yet another San Diego Comic-Con, and we've got a ton of exciting plans in store, including panels with Stan Lee, Grant Morrison and Deepak Chopra, exclusive goodies at our booth (#2229), and much more! Here's a taste:

PANELS

Stan Lee and Grant Morrison talk Virgin Comics

(Thursday, July 24^th, 10:45-11:45 am in Ballroom 20)

Two of the most important creators in the history of comic books team up to discuss the bold new frontiers being explored in the art of storytelling. Legendary creator Stan Lee (Spider-Man, Hulk, Iron Man, X-Men) shares his insights on the world of comics, and presents never-before-revealed hints of his new superhero universe with Virgin Comics. Joining Stan is prolific creator Grant Morrison, contemporary comics' most active mind, who will discuss his new Virgin Comics animated on-line series MBX, while offering his own insights on comics and engaging with Stan in a once-in-a-lifetime conversation about the long history and boundless future of their beloved medium. Virgin Comics is proud and excited to bring these two unique luminaries together for this unprecedented event.

Grant Morrison and Deepak Chopra discuss Science, Soul and Superheroes

(Sunday, July 27^th, 2:45-3:45 pm in Ballroom 20)

The tradition continues! As Virgin Comics prepares to launch the new animated on-line series MBX, series writer Grant Morrison once again teams with best-selling author and Virgin Comics co-founder Deepak Chopra to talk…superheroes! Come watch and join the ongoing conversation investigating the id, ego, superego, and spirituality of the superhero—we're talking social theory with sound effects, four colors fused with existentialism. Two of the greatest minds of comics and culture talking…comics and culture—this is not to be missed!

uClick: Mobile Comics, featuring Virgin Comics' Larry Lieberman

(Thursday, July 24^th, 4:30-5:30 pm in Room 30AB)

GoComics, the leader in on-line and mobile comics and manga, looks at a market truly coming into its own. Panelists will discuss the evolution of comic strips and comic books in the digital age and examine new publishing platforms that make mobile viewing part of a complete comics experience. They'll introduce new content from their partners: Stan Lee, Tokyopop, Virgin Comics, IDW, Devil's Due, Papercutz, TMNT and more. Learn about what the future of mobile comics promises for fans and creators alike.

EXCLUSIVES

Make sure you check out Virgin Comics' SDCC '08 specials for sale exclusively at our booth:

SDCC Variants: Dan Dare #7 double-sized finale featuring Dave Gibbons wrap-around cover: ink variant (limited to 500) and pencil sketch variant (limited to 250).

SDCC Exclusive: Grant Morrison's MBX Sketchbook (limited to 1,000) (SCHWAPP!!!: this is the one I'd try to get my hands on). Get an inside look at Grant Morrison's highly anticipated on-line animated series MBX, featuring insights from Grant, images from the upcoming animated series, breathtaking art explorations from Mukesh Singh (Jenna Jameson's Shadow Hunter, Guy Ritchie's Gamekeeper, Devi/Witchblade), script excerpts and more.

Lenticulars: We had a very limited number of Shadow Hunter, Gamekeeper and Dan Dare lenticulars at New York Comic-Con, and they sold out almost immediately. We'll have a small quantity in our booth, but we can't promise how long they'll last.

iPod Skins: Your iPod will not be complete until it's adorned with a Dan Dare or Shadow Hunter skin!

Autographed Items:

· Dan Dare #1 Bryan Talbot ink cover, limited to 500 copies and autographed by Garth Ennis! This came out in late 2007 when Dan Dare debuted, and these are some of the last few copies in existence. Act now, because once these are gone they're gone FOREVER.

· Dan Dare lithographs of Bryan Talbot's #1 cover art, signed by Garth Ennis.

· Jenna Jameson's Shadow Hunter lithograph of Greg Horn #1 cover art, signed by Jenna.

PORTFOLIO REVIEWS

Meet our Editors Charlie Beckerman and Sana Amanat for a one-on-one portfolio review session. And who knows… if we're really blown away by your work, you might just walk away with a gig. We're ready to hire the best artist we meet with to do an upcoming cover, so bring your A-game. Come prepared with a sketch of your favorite Virgin character and get a leg up on the competition. These sessions will be held at our booth on Friday and Saturday. Details to follow.

SIGNINGS

Here's your chance to meet two legends of publishing – Grant Morrison and Deepak Chopra – who will be signing on Sunday from 1:30-2:15 at tables AA1-AA2 (Sails Pavilion). Please note: Grant Morrison's MBX Sketchbook serves as the ticket for Grant's signing. Deepak will be signing any of his Virgin titles (Buddha #1 will be available for sale at the Virgin booth).

CONTESTS

Have you always aspired for comic book immortality? We'll here is your big break!! To celebrate this fall's debut of the highly anticipated new sci-fi/action series Nowhere Man from the creative team of Hugh Jackman, Marc Guggenheim and Paul Gulacy, we're giving all of you a chance to be a real Nowhere Man and get drawn into an issue!! Be sure to stop by our booth to enter this once-in-a-lifetime contest.

So that's what we're officially announcing, but you should keep your eyes and ears open, because we just might have a few more surprises up our sleeves.

See you in San Diego!"

See? He's Still Working!

Guggenheim works with Hugh Jackman on the new Virgin Comics project, Nowhere Man.

So there's evidence that I didn't ruin his career. ;)

Oh yeah...and I'm pretty sure Jackman is participating in something like this with an eye towards getting his idea into TV or film, not because he has some burning love for comics. Maybe a respect for comics, since they helped launch his career into the stratosphere, but not a burning love/need to create comics.