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Tim Leong on Comics Foundry Being Rejected by Diamond (mass mailing)
posted May 15, 2007
 

Tim Leong from Comic Foundry Magazine here. I write to you today with the disappointing and shocking news that Diamond Comics has declined to carry the launch issue of Comic Foundry Magazine in their Previews catalog.

Now, this was pretty disturbing news to me, seeing that I wanted to create something fresh, something original -- something that's never been seen in comics magazines before. I want to show the lifestyle and culture of comics, while giving content and coverage the readers actually deserve. And with all the titles on the shelves right now there isn't room for one with new ideas? Nope, says Diamond.

"A B&W title at the price you're using just won't work well in the current market we believe," says Tim Huckelbery, Purchasing Brand Manager, Comics/Magazines at Diamond Comics Distributors. For the record, our asking cover price is $6.25. So an 80-page black and white magazine for $6.25 wouldn't sell? If that's what they think, than sure. Okay. But...I guess the summer issue of Draw!, a black and white 80-page book for $6.95 would? Or an issue of Write Now! that's also $6.95 and 80 pages? That's 70 cents more than us, by the by. Hmm...

I called Diamond to inquire further, and again Tim Huckelbery was happy to take my call: "When I was looking though it and reading a magazine of that type, which is about comics, which has lots of images of comics characters, that is looking to be timely and topical, I was expecting color. That, just for me, is how my brain is wired."

So...to do a magazine that's timely and topical and feature lifestyle content, it must be in color? So says Diamond. Beyond ridiculous, says I.

Being declined by Diamond is no new thing -- it's a business and I most certainly understand that. Others in the past who've expressed their rejections online have been very understanding and were not creating a call-to-arms. Well, I'm just not that patient. If you want to see Comic Foundry in stores, I'm asking you to write Diamond to tell them just that. And if you have a blog, a messageboard or any other means to reach out to the masses — ask them to do the same. Right now we have a rare opportunity to tell the Diamond conglomerate how we feel and what we think. Just like there are checks and balances within Diamond to see what will pass and what won't -- we, as a comics community have the same opportunity. This is our balance.

This is the time to speak your mind. We have a chance to not only be heard, but to make a difference.

If you support Comic Foundry and want to see a new approach to comic magazines, please write in to tell Diamond. Send emails to: Diamond's Tim Huckelbery at [email protected]

Your support is appreciated,

Tim

And just like in an election, if you don't vote, you can't complain.