A new project is being launched to create full page comics like the days of yore. The Minnesota based comic groups The International Cartoonist Conspiracy, Big Time Attic, and Altered Esthetics gallery are collaborating to produce an oversized newspaper comics section. The 48 page publication is called “Big Funny” and can be purchased online. Those in Minneapolis can attend their opening reception on August 7th. The inaugural publication features artwork by over 40 artists including Kirk Anderson. For a full list of participating artists, visit their website.
WOW this looks great!
Looks cool. You can order a copy here:
http://www.alteredesthetics.com/events/49_big_funny
I remember hearing about DC doing the same type of thing with Wednesday Comics, and the word I got was that it was terrible quality and a hassle for collectors. Lets hope that these guys improve on that idea!
I appreciate poking fun at themselves in the headlines a bit, but I’m not convinced this will do well.
Good luck though.
I would love to see this as an insert to local papers who subscribe. I would definitely pay more for my newspaper subscription if I received this every Sunday.
Nice!..This is what I’m talking about ! Excellent ! (now if i could just get my strip in there)
http://henryclausner.blogspot.com
I agree with Jeff. Wouldn’t it be interesting if newspapers offered content that people wanted to read? I know it’s a strange subject. Hopefully they put quality comics in their collection. That would kinda help.
Would you really pay an extra 5 dollars for a paper that costs a buck to be supplemented with a comics section?
Well I guess people posting on this site would. But the average Joe NorthAmerica probably isn’t willing to up his paper costs 500% for cartoons.
Regardless of whether or not they’re “people posting on this site,” I’d be real surprised if they can get very many people willing to invest $10.95 (not 5 clams as advertised, unless you live in Minnesota) sight unseen for a 48-page funnies section featuring (mostly) unknown cartoonists. I hope I’m proven wrong.
I bought the first three issues of DC’s Wednesday Comics because I was able to peruse it first – see for yourself if it’s “terrible quality,” Trevor, because the word you got was wrong! – and I immediately noticed that DC is using top-notch, “name” artists and writers.
10.95 pretty much sinks this ship before it even sets sail.
As much as I would love to see an expanded comic section, or an insert such as this, 10.95 is too much. Even 5.00 would deter the average newspaper reader.
I didn’t notice the $5.00 price tag on the pic before I posted my above comment. I would still pay that price, but again, I would be among the very few who would.
I am not savvy in the way of the newspaper business, but it seems there can be an economical way to provide such an insert at an attractive price to newspapers. I still think this is a great idea if executed properly.
I am still of the opinion that if readers had a well rounded insert section to their local papers, that included a large comic section with new talent and beautifully drawn art, I feel readership would improve.
I don’t think selling it will do the trick. What Comickers like me should do is get sponsors that would pay for the printing of the supplement to be distributed inside good ciculation newspapers.
This way the comics get a head start in circulation and the newspapers do not have to pay foir them, since advertising money will do it.
Just my 2 cents.
$5.00 is the stand alone price at this art exhibit. I doubt that is what it would cost to be included in a newspaper if they chose to go that route. I’m sure Parade magazine would have a cover price of 3 or 4 bucks if it was standalone, but it is essentially “free” in a lot of Sunday papers due to economies of scale.
they should put it in the papers for free,,it would be good stimulation for the features and while we’re at it – send copies to our boys over in Iraq
I got mine in the mail yesterday and its HUGE!!!! its like the size of the saturday paper. Definitely not an insert for the newspaper, but a medium all on its own. The cover price makes much more sense now.
Haven’t read any of the comics yet, but I skimmed a couple pages and it looks pretty good.
Anyone know how this project is going? Alan?