Especially that early in. It's different when you're 3 volumes in to Southern Bastards. 2 issues in to a series? That's a much easier drop.
i disagree, the boom is not "over" per say. We cannot forget that many Image works are becoming TV series and movies!
If they ever do. Image people have been getting "option" money from studios for a long time.
Well I have nothing but sympathy for the difficulty the creators may have in their lives, isn't that something they kind of have to factor in to a certain extent. I mean a sixty issue series is a monumental undertaking and team effort, and more often than not stuff is gonna happen, thats just life. Its one reason why I wish more of them would try to tell a truly awesome story in 8-12 issues rather than sixty plus. Cause if it gets too big they'll never get it done.
Yeah think you're right here. I'm also in the "ehh I'll wait a year if it means quality" boat, but that's only possible because people like us frequent a message board. Those who do care about delays are often left in the dark, which doesn't foster goodwill for the comic in question or the Image brand overall.
I like how Monstress handles it, very clearly stating "we'll be back in August" both in the back of issues as well as in solicits. Ditto Saga, it's a predictable pattern. The wait is still there, but they remove most uncertainty by providing the answer upfront. I realise the economics of running an indie title make this difficult to guarantee though...
This is a dumb idea but maybe Image could put a list on their website with the status of all titles or something? Like "Monstress: returns in August 2016, Nonplayer: returns in December 2150" etc.
My hope is that the Image Comics publishing schedule is going to improve with this next set of books that were announced at the recent Image Expo. I'm looking at books like Black Monday Murders, Seven to Eternity, Vs., Moonshine, etc.
Seven to Eternity is probably a safe book to jump onto for those who are tired of delays. Remender has been fairly consistent in his release schedule with Black Science, Deadly Class, Low, and Tokyo Ghost. He and his creative teams really should be commended for that (whether you like those particular titles or not).
Remender and co. just keeps pumping out their books on a pretty solid basis. Should it be impressive when that's the general expectation? Probably not... but considering how many creative teams go through delays and how many books Remender is writing for Image, it is pretty impressive.
On the longer running Image series I get it was just easier, more enjoyable, and cost effective to switch to trades. I'd rather read it in chunks at this point. I had my shop stop my pulls of East of West, Black Science, Casanova, Birthright, and Drifter and just let them know to add the new trades for me when they come in. Certain books that have just started I will usually pick up until the first trade comes out. Then go trade exclusive from that point on.
I think restorative nostalgia is the number one issue with comic book fans.
A fine distinction between two types of Nostalgia:
Reflective Nostalgia allows us to savor our memories but accepts that they are in the past
Restorative Nostalgia pushes back against the here and now, keeping us stuck trying to relive our glory days.