General discussion about Usagi Yojimbo, the comics, the stories, the characters, collectibles, TV appearances, Stan Sakai, Space Usagi, Nilson & Hermy, and all other related topics.
IDW is giving these independent shops and creators the opportunities to make these variants, is that correct? It also allows them to extend the print run of each issue? Seems like a win for Team Sakai and IDW selling more product and expanding reach. While I'm also not going to try and collect all variants of this issue, does it hurt sales?
I guess if we go back to the 90's variant covers craze, comic fans might see it as just a money grab versus an opportunity for fans to get a special collectable of the favorite comic. Curious, do you think variant covers are a good thing or a bad thing? It seems from my brief following of FB UY! group some people are not liking this trend. I don't mind it but the completist in me is learning to let go (which is a very good thing, I think).
I personally don't care for them. Maybe I would be more interested if it were always Stan's art? I tracked down that dinosaur cover variant years ago, so maybe that's part of it. I'm just not liking what most of these artists are doing, at all. Just doesn't look good. Perhaps these artists are popular, and if that's the case I get it, but most of these pieces look like real amateur efforts. But if it's boosting sales, I'm all for it. Anything to keep Stan in business.
It wouldn’t be as bad if the variants were a little closer to the price of the mainline issues with covers by Stan. I mean, in a society of manufactured collectibles, not much is really ‘rare’ at the end of the day. Personally, I can’t really justify spending $40+ for every variant from whoseits. It’s certain there are economics far above this that equate into all these shops sponsoring other artists to do all these additional covers but to me, the covers by Stan are always going to take precedent.
I know I ‘don’t have to buy it if I don’t like it’ but I imagine it certainly adds up and makes a dilemma for completists. I do agree though, if this keeps Stan in publishing, these two cents are moot.
And really, there is a long running tradition of celebrating number 1 issues with multiple covers.....it’s just the weird #8’s and #10 type variants that seem like an awkward relapse of the early to mid 1990’s.
IDW has my number -- "collecting" is a disease, and being a "completist" is probably the most serious symptom. To quote another franchise, "gotta catch 'em all." The only way I can justify the cost of this insane variant hunt is that it also supports comic shops and comic book artists (of various levels of skill and interest). I'm not sure that their sales support (financially) Stan Sakai even indirectly!
And, I'm fully aware that buying comic books as an "investment" is another form of insanity, on a number of levels. But the thrill of the chase is there, the pleasure of the acquisition. This is how I choose to spend my entertainment budget, acknowledging that IDW is leading me by the nose . . . if you are quick, and keep a sharp eye out, and get lots of help with keeping up from the Dojo, and even from Stan-sensei himself, you can manage it without spending hundreds of dollars for a single comic. I'm actually enjoying the hunt.
Shadowfax wrote:I'm not sure that their sales support (financially) Stan Sakai even indirectly!
I would assume it would count as another book sold for Stan in regards to how he and IDW split the profits. That said, it may be that these retailer exclusives are all paid by the retailer up front and you are just filling their coffers but even if that is the case you making retailer variants a profitable enterprise will encourage other retailers to do pay IDW/Stan to do it with future issues.
Is there a list of the all the wanders road covers. I read a posting that there were 7 covers (regular plus 6 variants) but I was unaware of that many variants.
david20009 wrote:Is there a list of the all the wanders road covers. I read a posting that there were 7 covers (regular plus 6 variants) but I was unaware of that many variants.
If you saw my comment on Facebook I was mistaken, I thought there were two Slab City variants but in fact there is only one. It has a virgin cover on one the front and then a blank back. Which drops the count back to 6 covers (regular plus 5 variants).
david20009 wrote:Is there a list of the all the wanders road covers. I read a posting that there were 7 covers (regular plus 6 variants) but I was unaware of that many variants.
If you saw my comment on Facebook I was mistaken, I thought there were two Slab City variants but in fact there is only one. It has a virgin cover on one the front and then a blank back. Which drops the count back to 6 covers (regular plus 5 variants).
That they do. Thanks for reminding me. I didn't realize that Jolzar/Yellow sun was doing 2 different variant covers. The second one was what I was missing in my head.
I also pass on all these variants.
The only Usagi variants I buy are the covers with Stan’s art or Julie’s art.
I made that decision on IDW 1 variants because it was such an expensive undertaking.
I’m a completist but I figured since it is Stan’s creation and he has done everything up to this point why not keep it that way at least in my personal collection.
I think it is good for exposure but I’d like to see some big name creators from my childhood do a cover. Then I could consider getting something else. I’d buy a Skottie Young cover for sure or even a cover of Jei from the Matt Wagner art in the Sakai Project.
The variant cover we really need is a black and white cover featuring Stan’s art and not a guest artist. IDW loves variants and at least this would have some meaning. I think #15 would have been a good option after Tom retired with issue #14
It would honor the greatest B&W comic ever on the cover and then have color interiors. Something unique and I doubt it has been done before
Trevis Woods wrote:The variant cover we really need is a black and white cover featuring Stan’s art and not a guest artist. IDW loves variants and at least this would have some meaning. I think #15 would have been a good option after Tom retired with issue #14
It would honor the greatest B&W comic ever on the cover and then have color interiors. Something unique and I doubt it has been done before
Trevis, I love your idea as a tribute to Tom. Peace, maka
