Fantagraphics in trouble

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Wed May 28, 2003 23:33 -0700

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.

takematsu · Post by **takematsu** » Thu May 29, 2003 9:29 -0700

<Puts on natty '60's black suit, hat, and uncomfortable plastic mask>

Fire up the Black Beauty, Kato! We're off to the book store!

<pauses just a moment to log off a message board, and find socks>

Leonardo · Post by **Leonardo** » Thu May 29, 2003 10:46 -0700

That sucks, the only fantagraphics things I would buy are the usagi comics, and I have all of those, so I don't think I'll be helpin out this time, sorry, I'm not made of money either...

Wily Pueo · Post by **Wily Pueo** » Thu May 29, 2003 12:23 -0700

Stan, do you think they will be able to survive at least through July and the SDCC? I'll make a point of picking up a few books from them at the con if so.

Dave

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu May 29, 2003 14:05 -0700

Just wanted to note that in addition to carrying the Usagi trades they published, Fantagraphics also sells Dark Horse trades as well. Alex

takematsu · Post by **takematsu** » Thu May 29, 2003 19:53 -0700

To further my silliness of earlier (or make amends, as the case may be), I've forwarded Sakai-sensei's message to the one decent comic store in our city. There's another, but if I know them they'll just hide everything with the word "Fantagraphics" on it in hopes of cashing in after a collapse

Gambatte, Fantagraphics!

Post by **Todd Shogun** » Thu May 29, 2003 21:03 -0700

Perhaps we can send out a mass email to all UYD Members, asking them to purchase the UY graphic novels and other books. Hopefully they won't consider the effort as spam! What do you all think?

Post by **Todd Shogun** » Thu May 29, 2003 21:49 -0700

Okay, had another idea... what if we sent the email out and held a raffle? Possibly for an original UY drawing or something else (or even multiple prizes)? All the UY Members would have to do is forward proof that they made a purchase at FB's website via email. Each item purchase could count as an entry. The more items you purchase the more entries you get. Any thoughts?

takematsu · Post by **takematsu** » Fri May 30, 2003 8:42 -0700

The nature of spam is that it's impersonal and generally for crappy products. Neither objection would obtain in the current circumstance, and if it's clear in the text of the mailing that it's a one-time-only, dire-emergency class of mailing, even prickly people couldn't whine much.

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Fri May 30, 2003 10:59 -0700

Todd Shogun wrote:Okay, had another idea... what if we sent the email out and held a raffle? Possibly for an original UY drawing or something else (or even multiple prizes)? All the UY Members would have to do is forward proof that they made a purchase at FB's website via email. Each item purchase could count as an entry. The more items you purchase the more entries you get. Any thoughts?

I'll definitely donate an original drawing to the raffle, and how about a 2004 UY calendar. I won't be able to keep track of the orders myself, though.

Post by **Todd Shogun** » Fri May 30, 2003 12:29 -0700

Don't worry, I'll take care of all the order tracking and raffle stuff. An original drawing and 2004 Calendar sounds great! Thanks!!!

Alex Chun · Post by **Alex Chun** » Fri May 30, 2003 15:17 -0700

Hey Stan,

My understanding is that at least a couple of artists will be donating art to Fantagraphics' cause. I'm not sure how they are going to be turning the art into money, but I suggested to Gary that Ebay might be the best way to go. Alex

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Sat May 31, 2003 6:18 -0700

Alex Chun wrote:
My understanding is that at least a couple of artists will be donating art to Fantagraphics' cause. I'm not sure how they are going to be turning the art into money, but I suggested to Gary that Ebay might be the best way to go. Alex

That's a good way to go, but the art for this raffle will be given away.

If Gary or Kim contacts me for a piece of art to sell on e-bay, I'll gladly donate a piece for that as well.

Logan Myrddin · Post by **Logan Myrddin** » Sat May 31, 2003 11:52 -0700

um... ((Can't believe I'm actually going to say this...))... if my Limited Edition Kitsune figurine would garner enough money to be worth it... I'd be willing to part with it. It's very important to me that some of the series Fantagraphics sells stay available to the public... ESPECIALLY Usagi. I will hate to part with my LE Kitsune, but I'd hate it far more if it turned out my help could have saved this wonderful company and I didn't give it. So... If you guys think it would garner enough money to really help, I'm willing to do my part. I may never have kids, but if I do, I want to be able to give them their own copies of Usagi. And if Fantagraphics goes down, it's likely that Usagi's first seven gn's won't be around. Anyway, if it will really help... my LE Kitsune will go to the cause...

Alex Chun · Post by **Alex Chun** » Sat May 31, 2003 12:30 -0700

Hey Stan,

I talked to Kim Thompson today, and he should be getting in touch with you. For those who are interested, there's a Chris Ware piece up on Ebay now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 3525065804

Also, I hope you have fun at the BEA today.

Logan, instead of selling your figure, I'm sure Fantagraphics would be just as happy if you bought some books directly from them.

Best, Alex Chun

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