UPDATED: Read Dirk Deppey’s investigation and overview of Platinum’s practices (as well as Platinum colorist Jason Embury’s kindred blog of ire).
The comments found in response to my original posting of the Cowboys & Aliens debacle reflect a number of the positions already coming forth on the topic, from shared opposition to Platinum’s (continued) behavior to support of their tactic. One note that I’ll add, in dialogue with these comments, is yeah, I was harsh.
It’s obvious to see that I was outraged, disgusted, and angered by the whole thing; therefore, I unleashed that outrage, disgust, and anger…here on my blog. While this is something of a public arena — it is on the Internet, after all — it’s still my own personal comics blog, meant to be nothing more than my own ramblings, newsworthy notes, amusing links, and shameless self-promotion. It is not the tone that was taken by Rich Johnson, Johana Draper Carlson, Ronée G. Bourgeois, Blog@Newsarama’s Graeme McMillan, TalkAboutComics.com, or Chris Butcher… and I’m relieved! Mine was not a journalistic voice, not an objective observer’s, and not a cool, lawyerly indictment and recount of the facts. Mine was a diatribe, mine was a screed, and even as I readily admit to that, I don’t feel compelled to apologize for it, really. It’s a blog, people, not a double-blind, peer-reviewed journal.
As recommended by Mr. Butcher, I did write EW a letter, and it went a little something like this:
Dear XXX XXXXXXX,
…In the most recent issue of Entertainment Weekly, the Books section was kind enough to give a listing of the top-selling comic books and graphic novels for mid-December. Please understand that I applaud this listing and would like to see it continue into the future. The issue at hand, however, is that I believe Entertainment Weekly was tricked into awarding Platinum Comics Studios the #1 graphic novel slot with Cowboys & Aliens.
Entertainment Weekly used NYC’s Midtown Comics as its source for the listing, which is entirely understandable; Midtown is a huge store and one of the industry leaders. However, during this particular week at Midtown, no issues of Cowboys & Aliens were sold. Rather, they were given away free as a promotion. In fact, this was the case at many stores throughout the country; Platinum arranged a deal with retailers that the shops could sell them for as much (or as little) as they liked. Platinum would then refund the cost of the order with an extra percentage on top. In short, Platinum paid retailers to give away (or sell, if the retailer so chose) C&A.
This would normally be an insane business model if it were not for the fact that Platinum is not at all concerned about the comic book market – Having optioned C&A to Sony, Platinum is trying to build a case that C&A is a huge seller and reader favorite. Unfortunately, it looks like they will be using this Entertainment Weekly listing to the same end, essentially having bought your #1 listing whether you knew it or not.
Sadly, as a comic book creator and critic, this is not the first dirty trick committed by Platinum, but it is the largest. Worse, many fans are speaking out online about how upset they are that EW was “taken” by Platinum and are thus (inadvertently) perpetuating the false inflation of the book’s status. Platinum has been notorious for not publishing comics, merely using their comic book division to swallow up ideas and unleash upon Hollywood. While that may dishearten fans, it’s a legitimate business practice; lying about being the top-selling graphic novel over many other more deserving, sincere works is not…
When intended for rational, serious action, my writing can be a bit more calm. Perhaps this is the tone I should have taken at The Engine, since that thread for discussion has since been shut down, unfortunately. But, thankfully, The Beat reports that better minds than mine are already engaged in looking into Platinum more closely (see Update above!), determining what is truly newsworthy and what is just aggravating. For my part, that’s all I wanted: For the discussion to be initiated. And it has. And I’m pleased.
Whether or not I did it peaceably or calmly, I think the answer is clear: I was a fucking enraged little bastard flipping his shit!
And I like it that way.
You like it that way, but just so you know, to many outsiders you seem like an incredibly jealous crybaby.
Did you ever think you might be burning bridges you never even knew you had?
…Jealous of what, Dan? Misreported sales? An undeserved accolade?
As for burning bridges, I hope not. I was speaking out about something I thought was wrong. If that burns bridges, it’s unfortunate, but maybe they were destined to be burned…