http://www.fantagraphics.com/ has a much more detailed account of FB's situation. FB has supported Stan Sakai's UY comics for approx. 18 years now, almost as long as UY has been around (next year will be UY's 20th Anniversary). Kim Thompson, a true believer in Usagi and many other top notch "funny animal" comics, helped make UY the success that it is today. It's a safe bet to say that without Kim and FB, UY may have gone the way many of the other B&W Boom comics went...Stan Sakai wrote:Fantagraphics Books, who publishes the first seven Usagi trade collections as well as other fine books, is in financial trouble according to an e-mail sent out by publisher Gary Groth. Their book store distributor had gone bankrupt last year owing them about $70,000. (This is ironic since Fantagraphics have been doing very well in such stores.) They were forced to take out two loans to keep them going, but the loans are coming due. FB also overprinted books in 2002, but their creditors will want cash, not inventory. Fantagraphics is owned wholly by Gary and Kim. One option for them is to sell part of the company, which might cut into the creative freedom they've been enjoying.
"They're asking for fans, pros, anyone to buy books and merchandising from them. This plea had worked for Top Shelf, and kept them out of bankruptcy from the same situation with the distributor. Fantagraphics has been publishing for about 27 years and has a lot of great books--from the complete Prince Valiant to Love and Rockets to, of course, Usagi.
Check out their website.
If you are missing any UY issues or books, visit FB's website today!
http://www.fantagraphics.com/cart/
Type in "usagi" and check out their selection... They have many of the Vol 1 UY comics in stock (4,5,7,10,15,29-38), all of the UY trades, including Dark Horse's books. Lots of extras, like UY Color Special 2 and 3, Book 1 and 5 hardcovers, Space Usagi, and UY Vol 2 #1 (from Mirage). Best of all, everything is offered at or below cover price!
If you purchase anything from FB's site (not just UY comics) we'll enter you to win some cool UY collectibles. All you would need to do is forward your email confirmation from Fantagraphics. Each item purchased counts as one entry, so the more items you purchase, the more chances you have to win!
Stan Sakai has graciously offered to donate a piece of original Usagi Yojimbo artwork and a 2004 UY Calendar from Tide-Mark Press. We'll also have some additional prizes as well, including the official UYD t-shirt and a signed copy of UY #1 (1st print) from Fantagraphics! The raffle will take place at the end of June or early July, so act today! We'll be sending out a deadline near the end of the time frame. Forward your Order Confirmations via email to savefanta@usagiyojimbo.com to be entered!
Prize distributions:
We'll be employing the ever-popular "choice method" for distributing the UY prizes for the raffle.
1st Place - Choice of all prizes available (UY Art by default)
2nd Place - Choice of remaining prizes (2004 UY Calendar by default)
3rd Place - Choice of remaining prizes (UYD t-shirt by default)
4th Place - Choice of remaining prizes (Signed UY #1 by default)
5th - 10th Place get UY trading cards and other cool items!
That's 10 chances to win! So head on over to http://www.fantagraphics.com/cart/ and type in "Usagi" for the search criteria... then complete your UY collection today! Don't forget to tell them that the UY Dojo sent you... and also browse other great titles while you're there (Love & Rockets, Omaha the Cat Dancer, and various issues of The Comics Journal)... you can't go wrong!!! Don't forget to send your Order Confirmations via email to savefanta@usagiyojimbo.com!
Send your email confirmations to: savefanta@usagiyojimbo.com
Please act today, as FB only has about a month or so to recover!
Arigato!
The UYD Shogunate
