‘Flash Gordon’ #1 Pulped and Reprinted
Brendan Deenan, Senior v-p, Objective Entertainment, announced this morning that the delay behind Flash Gordon #1 had to do with a bad printer. In fact, the 13,000 print run has been pulped a new printer secured. As a result, the first issue, due out August 20, will now hit comic shops on September 24. The second issue will come out on schedule, one week later.
Ardden Entertainment’s adaptation of Alex Raymond’s classic comic strip hero was previewed amidst much fanfare this spring with a zero issue. Deenan wrote the comic with artist Paul Green working under the guidance of Ardden editor-in-chief J.M. DeMatteis.
Their contemporary take on the character does not resemble the abortive Sci-Fi Channel series from 2007 or previous comic strip incarnations.
According to a release from Ardden, “Copies of the first ‘faulty’ issue have arrived at a location in the USA and Ardden is requesting that if any retailer or comic fan is offered these faulty copies for sale from anyone saying that they represent Ardden Entertainment LLC, they should contact the NY based company immediately. There is a reward for anyone who reports the sale of these copies. These faulty printings have the credits on page 3 whereas the new printings carry the creator credits on page 1.”
"Ardden is requesting that if any retailer or comic fan is offered these faulty copies for sale from anyone saying that they represent Ardden Entertainment LLC, they should contact the NY based company immediately. ”Yes, and if the post Office misprints a stamp, they're not supposed to be sold either.I'll lay odds that more money will be made off of these copies than the entire print run of the fixed version. And I'm cynical enough to think that it won't all be made solely by third-parties.
Couldn't agree with you more, Vinnie. Imagine the eBay sales…
Was this something the printer did wrong or were the files supplied to them that way?Honestly, the printer should be getting finished files.And did if the printer 'did something wrong', why is the publisher giving them that task?This whole thing sounds like an excuse.
Hi Guys.Fair comments… but here's the basic facts.1) The files that were used were the same as the files used for the SDCC preview – which looked stunning. It was from that SDCC book that 4000 extra copies have been re-ordered. 400 Dpi PDFs. High enough res to print the book at poster size.2) The printer admitted fault and offered to reprint all 13000 copies. Would you trust them to do a good job again and to get them to DCD in the time needed? 28 days from print (again) to delivery to DCD's door. So we went for a better option. Print in North America with a trusted printer – to be delivered in 5 days!3) The book was finished in June 2008, so why would we want to delay the printing? and excuse for what? To make money? Issue 2 is also done and in the bag. 26,000 copies is huge numbers for anyone in publishing, we'd be silly not to get that book out on time. Issue 2, however, is very much on time. TBD end Sept.4) We had several phone calls from several large US chains thanking us for pulling the book. Apparently orders for Flash via these stores have been massive. They're behind us 100% and our relationship which such stores is apparent in the promotions they've done for us at the NYC con and SDCC. We can only give them the best. And the best, for us, will only do.What worries us is that the "to be pulped" copies are in the USA. It's up to the printer to dispose of those. If we take them then we are liable for pulping, costing us another $500. We're keeping a very watchful eye open for copies being sold on Ebay.What we are proud of is that our very first book has outsold many Image, Dark Horse, Marvel and DC books and if you do get the chance to see it in your LCS then please take a look at Paul's awesome artwork. That alone is worth the price tag. Oh, and there is Flash Gordon as well!!CheersRich Ardden Ent LLC