Slow and Steady
I was going through a listing of the Transfuzion titles and I saw that we had reached 33 titles. I was quite surprised as that puts the release schedule as about 1 a month and it certainly didn't seem like we were that ambitious, but apparently so.
I know what we have coming up and it looks like the schedule will remain at roughly the same output. I'm sure it could be increased dramatically but I have to continually remind myself that while Transfuzion can expand its output, it doesn't necessarily mean that there is an expanded audience base.
I think I have a pretty good handle on the realities of the marketplace. In the direct market (which means Diamond for the most part), there is only so much appeal as there are more and more books coming out yet the number of stores, and more importantly, fans, is limited. For the most part, if someone buys one book, they have to forego buying another. It is definitely not a finite market.
Sure, we have sales via Amazon and other sources (including digital) but those are longer term avenues with investment costs so extending into those areas requires capital that won't be replenished for awhile. Although the cost isn't high per book, it can still add up and accelerating release schedules so we can invest quicker doesn't really make much sense.
So, the plan with Transfuzion is to keep plugging along...a modest but consistent output. I never intended to try and grow Transfuzion into a large publishing house, one that was dependent on market share rather than profits.
There will be a change in the Talking Transfuzion columns...sort of. Since it started, this column has started with notes from me, then a creator spotlight and short interview and then a title spotlight---usually on an upcoming title. I figured it was a good way to cover all the bases. It will pretty much stay the same except there won't be as many creator spotlights and the title spotlights will also cover books that have been released previously that you may have missed. I don't want to turn it into a sheer promotion or preview section so I'll keep updates and my thoughts on some things in the column.
Hopefully, I can be more consistent in getting the column out on a regular basis.
TITLE SPOTLIGHT
A look at one of the books from Transfuzion.
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SALVAGED: THE COMPLETE UNIT PRIME COLLECTION Salvaged is 150 page trade paperback in black and white. $16.99 ISBN: 978-0982654-9-03 . For more information: http://www.transfuzion.biz/TITLES/SALVAGED.htm |
CREATOR SPOTLIGHT
A brief look at one of the creators from Transfuzion.
Chris Dreier started his comic career in the early 90's as an inker first working with Now Comics on The New Adventures of Speed Racer. Since then he's inked on Untouchables from Caliber Comics, Lady Death: Re-Imagined from Chaos Comics and Angel: A Long Night's Journey from Dark Horse Comics (just to name a few). He currently works with Avatar Press as an inker; his credits are Wolfskin Annual, Aetheric Mechanics and Ignition City.
He began his writing career with his creator owned graphic novels Unit Primes and Unit Primes volume two which are now collected into a single volume called Salvaged.
Q&A x5
1. What do you consider your first major project and your thoughts on it?
I would have to say my first paying job inking The New Adventures of Speed Racer for Now Comics. It was based on a new cartoon that I had watched a few times. Best part was Now Comics had their books not just in comic shops but bookstores and even grocery stores. I remember being on a vacation and we walked into a bookstore in a mall and on the wire rack was a Speed Racer I inked. Felt great! Of course working on Angel was pretty surreal too, hmm...
2. Of all the projects you've worked on, what was your favorite?
As an inker I would have to say the yet unpublished Wolfskin miniseries coming out this year. As a writer my first book Unit Primes. I enjoy the dark things in life and I'm very proud of the way we captured that feeling in both volumes.
3. If you could return to any of your previous projects, which would it be?
I'm not much for going back and doing a series over. I like to look forward to next the project.
4. If you could do any project, what would it be?
Hmmm? The inker in me says anything penciled by Ron Lim or Paul Pelletier. As a writer I would love the chance to work on anything cosmic from Marvel; Silver Surfer, Galactus, Fantastic Four, Nova that sort of thing.
5. Who has worked in comics for awhile and should be much better known?
Oh man, that's hard to say. There are so many great people working in comics....
Information
www.unitprimes.com has info about the books and a link to a preview of each.
What's Next?
Like I mentioned above I'm inking a Wolfskin book for Avatar Press but I have an all-ages book coming out late this year that I created and wrote. It's witty and fast paced and should be a lot of fun!
Gary Reed is the publisher of Transfuzion Publishing and was the former publisher of Caliber Comics. As a writer, he has written a number of graphic novels and comics including Saint Germaine, Deadworld, Baker Street, Renfield, Raven Chronicles, A Murder of Scarecrows, and others. Outside of Talking Transfuzion, he has his regular blog covering a wide variety of topics at reedgary.blogspot.com and his website www.garyreed.net
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