Bunraku hardcover now available

[jabba359]

It looks like the release of the hardcover is finally here. Copies are available in Stan's store for purchase. IDW, though, still hasn't managed to even acknowledge these exist, so who knows if/when they'll have copies available or how those will be distributed.

I've seen quite a few people on Facebook saying they've purchased (and I'm sure many others purchased without posting). So many, in fact, I wonder if Stan got regular numbered copies (like he did of Grasscutter) rather than AP copies? Seems like the number of orders has outpaced what I'd expect he'd traditionally get as an AP supply (though since it's now IDW, we don't really have an established history when it comes to these things).

The picture, however, shows a blank on the numbering space, so perhaps he was sent completely unnumbered ones? I guess we'll find out when they start arriving in our mailboxes.

Edit: turns out the unnumbered photo is of Steve's copy, so it may not reflect the actual stock Stan received

https://stansakai.com/product/premier-u ... able-copy/

[Maka]

I have this memory that these bookplates were not numbered. Peace, maka. My memory could be wrong.

[Gaffey]

I have this memory that these bookplates were not numbered. Peace, maka. My memory could be wrong.

This memory?

[Maka]

Well, those clearly have a space where to write the number down. So my memory is wrong … again. peace, maka

[maichan]

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing if the ones on Stan's site were AP's or numbered. Usually Stan mentions it in the description that they are AP, and like Kyle mentioned, the reported sales on FB seem to be more than what we'd normally expect of the number of AP copies we're used to seeing. When the photo that Gaffey originally appeared, I think we wondered about when they would be numbered, or at least I wondered... I assumed that IDW would number them after Stan had signed them. Maybe IDW forgot to number them and that's what's been holding back their release? IDW trying to figure out how to fix the mistake? But now it's too late? I guess we won't know for certain until people start receiving their books.

[Steve Hubbell]

Just my thoughts but I believe that the tip-in plates are not numbered until after they are inserted in the books and the books are bound. If they are numbered before then, there are chances of a tip-in plate being damaged and messing up the numbering sequence. That would also explain why they were numbered by a Dark Horse staff member instead of by Stan Sakai for previous volumes.

[jabba359]

Just my thoughts but I believe that the tip-in plates are not numbered until after they are inserted in the books and the books are bound. If they are numbered before then, there are chances of a tip-in plate being damaged and messing up the numbering sequence. That would also explain why they were numbered by a Dark Horse staff member instead of by Stan Sakai for previous volumes.

Just to clarify, I think you meant to say they aren't numbered until after being inserted, as they were obviously signed while loose. Numbering would occur after binding for the reasons you mention.

[Gaffey]

Well, those clearly have a space where to write the number down. So my memory is wrong … again. peace, maka

Technically you were correct! You said, "I have this memory that these bookplates were not numbered." They were not numbered...yet. So you can hold off on adding ginkgo biloba to your daily schedule.

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing if the ones on Stan's site were AP's or numbered.

I assumed we were purchasing APs until I woke up this morning and saw that they hadn't sold out yet. I'll take either one as long I get one.

I was hoping that they would have offered the remarque option like they did with the trades.

[Steve Hubbell]

Just my thoughts but I believe that the tip-in plates are not numbered until after they are inserted in the books and the books are bound. If they are numbered before then, there are chances of a tip-in plate being damaged and messing up the numbering sequence. That would also explain why they were numbered by a Dark Horse staff member instead of by Stan Sakai for previous volumes.

Just to clarify, I think you meant to say they aren't numbered until after being inserted, as they were obviously signed while loose. Numbering would occur after binding for the reasons you mention.

Isn't that what I wrote?

[jabba359]

Just my thoughts but I believe that the tip-in plates are not numbered until after they are inserted in the books and the books are bound. If they are numbered before then, there are chances of a tip-in plate being damaged and messing up the numbering sequence. That would also explain why they were numbered by a Dark Horse staff member instead of by Stan Sakai for previous volumes.

Just to clarify, I think you meant to say they aren't numbered until after being inserted, as they were obviously signed while loose. Numbering would occur after binding for the reasons you mention.

Isn't that what I wrote?

Did some sort of moderator magic change it or am I going insane? I'm 99.99% sure it said signed rather than numbered when I quoted/replied. Maybe I need to go get my head examined...

[Gaffey]

[maichan]

Did some sort of moderator magic change it or am I going insane? I'm 99.99% sure it said signed rather than numbered when I quoted/replied. Maybe I need to go get my head examined...

I can confirm, it did read "signed" and you are not going insane.

[jabba359]

Well, as my username once said, "Your mind powers will not work on me, boy."

Also, thanks Maichan for confirming that I'm slightly less crazy than I was starting to think...

[Stan Sakai]

I signed and numbered the Fantagraphics book plates, but those were pasted in after they received the books from the printer. The Dark Horse and IDW book plates are tipped-in, or actually bound, into the book so I did not number those because mistakes in printing may warrant copies being unsaleable.

I just finished signing Saga 9 and it appears it is also unnumbered. It is also much less than the 1500 plates I usually sign for these books, meaning that, unless they send me more plates, it will be a much more limited HC print run. Why? I don't know. Perhaps it is because they expect to sell much less, as a third of the book--the TMNT crossover stories--are still available not only through DH but you can still get Namazu from IDW.

[maichan]

Thank you Stan!

I just finished signing Saga 9 and it appears it is also unnumbered. It is also much less than the 1500 plates I usually sign for these books, meaning that, unless they send me more plates, it will be a much more limited HC print run. Why? I don't know. Perhaps it is because they expect to sell much less, as a third of the book--the TMNT crossover stories--are still available not only through DH but you can still get Namazu from IDW.

I think they underestimate your and Usagi's popularity right now.