ComicBase/Atomic Avenue Forums - Crisis of Infinite Godzillas

787 Posts

Posted - 02/19/2011 : 12:12:26

OK, here's a dilemma for you:

What are the plans for databasing the 80 different variants of IDW's Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters #1?

USA
491 Posts

Posted - 02/19/2011 : 13:15:22

I was aware of this variant program, but I actually just saw how many there were going to be. That's a ton of tracking.

ComicBase 16 Archive Edition
Windows 7

787 Posts

Posted - 02/19/2011 : 14:47:44

quote:
Originally posted by JasonSnyder

That's a ton of tracking.

No kidding! We could list variations A through Z *and* AA, BB, CC etc. through ZZ and still not have them all listed!

Still, I'm of the opinion that they should be listed individually since they are legit variants whose existence is known.

Edited by - comicsatemybrain on 02/19/2011 14:49:20

Stealth_DBA

USA
2351 Posts

Posted - 02/19/2011 : 15:25:24

First, I would take the people at IDW responsible for creating 80 variant covers behind the woodshed with a switch. At $3.99 each (assuming they are all the same price, that would require someone to spend $319.20 (without taxes) to get them all. While I am not a big fan of variant covers, I can understand the seller trying to sell a few more issues by offering an additional variant or two. But with 80, who could / would possible try to get them all?

As for entering them into CB, that really isn't a problem. You could use V01 - V80 or A01-A80. Or, if you wanted to stick to just letters, then following the pattern A-Z, AA-AZ, BA-BZ, etc, you would have to have more than 676 variants to running out (26 * 26).

CB Archive Edition V16 Windows 7 64 bit

USA
491 Posts

Posted - 02/20/2011 : 12:36:38

At first, I would have said that you could simply create one variant cover as the "retailer incentive," but considering that there is unique art on each of them, each cover is definitely its own variant.

ComicBase 16 Archive Edition
Windows 7

GlennSimpson

USA
741 Posts

Posted - 02/20/2011 : 16:06:55

Yeah, I was very impressed when my retailer announced that they had a special variant, until I found out there were 80 of them. Not quite so special.

sholmes202

USA
27 Posts

Posted - 02/21/2011 : 11:57:09

Given the relative popularity of Godzilla comics in the past one might wonder if IDW sells 80 copies ....period. :)

If the apocalypse comes, beep me.

Edited by - sholmes202 on 02/21/2011 11:57:44

USA
1444 Posts

Posted - 02/23/2011 : 11:01:03

My brain just blew up. 80 variants?

We'll need to talk about this one over here and get back to you all on the final decision.

Mark Castaneda
ComicBase/Atomic Avenue Team

USA
1444 Posts

Posted - 02/23/2011 : 14:50:42

This is an interesting problem. Our Variations only go from A-Z. To create new variations would mean 60+ new variation types would be created and everyone would have to sit in front of their computer to accept these new variations into their database during a content update. That's way too much to ask you guys to do and would drive you crazy.

Bottomline, there's no easy way to do this but we decided to set up Variation D(which looks to be the store variant right now) as the store variant. We will be using the printing # as well as the notes field to describe it's not a reprint but the variant for store on the cover.

Mark Castaneda
ComicBase/Atomic Avenue Team

GlennSimpson

USA
741 Posts

Posted - 02/24/2011 : 07:46:21

Mark - not that it really matters, but I'm not sure what you mean by our having to sit at our computer and accept each variant. When I do updates, I just download and it installs, without any input from me. The number of variants being added really doesn't affect my update experience. Am I having a different experience than most? Maybe I'm misunderstanding. Just curious.

USA
1444 Posts

Posted - 02/24/2011 : 09:27:47

each time a new variant is created on our end it will be included with the next content update. During the download of that update you will get a prompt saying a new variant has been created and you have to hit OK to accept it. Getting that message 60+ times would be really annoying to folks if we actually decided to create those variants.

Mark Castaneda
ComicBase/Atomic Avenue Team

GlennSimpson

USA
741 Posts

Posted - 02/24/2011 : 11:12:41

Is this a new feature you're adding?

Bobb

USA
1067 Posts

Posted - 02/24/2011 : 11:21:13

I am not sure this should be called a feature so much as new form of torture!

Please do not implement this unless you add a check box to just accept the variants without permission.

Bobb

ComicBase Archive Blu-Ray Edition 16, Windows 7/64 Professional

Bobb’s Books is now open.
Comic Books, Science Fiction/Fantasy/Mystery Novels,
Statues, Action Figures, and More!

bobb@bobbsbooks.com
http://www.bobbsbooks.com

Stealth_DBA

USA
2351 Posts

Posted - 02/24/2011 : 11:35:52

The 'Click to accept a new variant' thing is not a new feature. There just are not many new variants added since HC went to alpha characters (A, B, C, etc.). I recall one new variant but it was a year or so ago. And, as it turned out, it was a 'bad' variant that was change a week or two later.

CB Archive Edition V16 Windows 7 64 bit

USA
491 Posts

Posted - 02/25/2011 : 08:39:00

While I understand the "new variant" problem, these may very well have different UPCs and be honest-to-God different variants (outside of the unique cover art on each), so for tracking purposes, you may lose some accuracy. Also, what image is going to be used for this?

I don't know. It seems like a small (and isolated) inconvenience to download new variants, but that's just me.

ComicBase 16 Archive Edition
Windows 7

USA
1444 Posts

Posted - 02/25/2011 : 10:37:20

quote:
Originally posted by GlennSimpson

Is this a new feature you're adding?

We aren't adding a new feature for this Godzilla variant explosion. I was trying to outline the problem IF we did go that way. There may be a bit of confusion on my part (sorry).

The plan is we're gonna assign a variant to be the store variant (ex: Variant D) then using the printing numbers and notes to describe out its a variant for the store on the cover.

Bottomline, no new feature or new variant types are being created.

Mark Castaneda
ComicBase/Atomic Avenue Team

Edited by - JasonSnyder on 02/25/2011 16:58:20

Stealth_DBA

USA
2351 Posts

Posted - 02/25/2011 : 10:49:11

If I followed that, they would show up as 80 Issues listed as:

1/A
1/B
1/C
1/D-1
1/D-2
...
1/D-76
1/D-77

CB Archive Edition V16 Windows 7 64 bit

USA
1444 Posts

Posted - 02/25/2011 : 16:38:30

correct

We really hope this isn't a new trend.

Mark Castaneda
ComicBase/Atomic Avenue Team

USA
491 Posts

Posted - 02/25/2011 : 16:59:31

quote:
Originally posted by mcastaneda

quote:
Originally posted by GlennSimpson

Is this a new feature you're adding?

We aren't adding a new feature for this Godzilla variant explosion. I was trying to outline the problem IF we did go that way. There may be a bit of confusion on my part (sorry).

The plan is we're gonna assign a variant to be the store variant (ex: Variant D) then using the printing numbers and notes to describe out its a variant for the store on the cover.

Bottomline, no new feature or new variant types are being created.

Oops, I misunderstood your original post and thought you were only doing one variant as a "store variant," but I see you're including printings and descriptions for each store. Never mind. It's been a long day.

ComicBase 16 Archive Edition
Windows 7

787 Posts

Posted - 02/26/2011 : 20:20:37

According to Bleeding Cool, IDW will have a second printing for this issue. Retailers are being given another chance to have a store-specific variant printed as part of this second printing.

I suppose the best way to handle any new store-specific variants (should there be any) in the same way, but indicate them as second prints in the Notes field?

USA
491 Posts

Posted - 02/27/2011 : 10:15:07

quote:
Originally posted by comicsatemybrain

According to Bleeding Cool, IDW will have a second printing for this issue. Retailers are being given another chance to have a store-specific variant printed as part of this second printing.

I suppose the best way to handle any new store-specific variants (should there be any) in the same way, but indicate them as second prints in the Notes field?

Oh God, just imagine another 80 covers for the 2nd printings.

ComicBase 16 Archive Edition
Windows 7

WebHobbit

USA
777 Posts

Posted - 02/27/2011 : 11:34:29

IDW SUCKS

I am soooooooooo glad they are losing the rights to the Whedon BTVS stuff.

Larry Robertson
ComicBase 16 (Build 49)
Archive Edition
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1

http://lrpctechblog.com

Bobb

USA
1067 Posts

Posted - 02/27/2011 : 12:05:00

Little off topic, but I have this thought.

Scary thing about this whole Store variant thing is 80 stores ordered enough copies of the book to have their own version.

I wonder how many will end up eating the order, or give the normal cover books on Free Comic Book Day?

Seems in a down-turned economy where the number of copies each title sells this is a HUGE gamble.

I've seen 4 stores in my area close due to slow sales, and mismanagement in the ordering department.

Just saying....

Bobb

WebHobbit

USA
777 Posts

Posted - 02/27/2011 : 12:08:01

Yes -seems like a very unwise move.

Larry Robertson
ComicBase 16 (Build 49)
Archive Edition
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1

http://lrpctechblog.com

787 Posts

Posted - 02/27/2011 : 13:10:52

I'd bet that most of the stores that took IDW up on their store-specific variant program are looking at this as an advertising/publicity expense. I seriously doubt that these stores are expecting to sell all 500 of their store-specific variants. I recognized a number of the retailers as large volume retailers and/or longtime retailers, meaning that at least a decent chunk of the participating retailers have some serious business sense associated with them.

This is not the first time that IDW has done a large stack of variants. They had a store-specific variant program of some type for Mystery Society #1. I don't know what the details were, but they definitely had a bunch of stores that took the deal. The Godzilla program is probably even more attractive since the retailer's storefront is incorporated into the cover artwork instead of just pasting the store logo on the cover.

Blame IDW all you want, but remember that it takes two to tango. IDW's variant program was not compulsory, the participating stores voluntarily opted in.

xmcd

Canada
484 Posts

Posted - 02/27/2011 : 21:04:57

Fantastic. I will be able to order the Atomic Avenue cover that was unavailable in the first go around.

Bobb

USA
1067 Posts

Posted - 02/28/2011 : 12:47:18

comicsatemybrain,

I do blame both sides for this type of debacle.

Many of my friends, and I thought the days of the big variant covers were dead.

I guess we were wrong.

Personally the Co-Op plans DC, and other publishers offer for advertising is a better use of dollars. After all if you order these type of variants to advertise your store where do you use them? Does your local library allow you to donate them since they are really advertising? Would a English program at your local school do the same?

I was in a Reebok store yesterday, and they had a number of T-Shirts, Jackets, Shorts, and other clothing with thier name inprinted on them. I alway wonder why i should pay for something that lets them advertise thier product on my body like a mobile billboard. I think of these variants using the same principal. Why buy a book to advertise a Comic Book Store.

Seems to me much like many of the "Free Comic Book Day" titles just appeal to those who already read comics.
These Variants may only be of interest to those who already are frequent customers.

Bobb

USA
1444 Posts

Posted - 02/28/2011 : 13:44:47

quote:
Originally posted by comicsatemybrain

According to Bleeding Cool, IDW will have a second printing for this issue. Retailers are being given another chance to have a store-specific variant printed as part of this second printing.

I suppose the best way to handle any new store-specific variants (should there be any) in the same way, but indicate them as second prints in the Notes field?

Agreed. I get Migraine Headaches when I think of variants these days.

Mark Castaneda
ComicBase/Atomic Avenue Team