Getting ready for comics BOOM
They’ve got “Planet of the Apes,” “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” and a wide variety of eclectic titles in their lineup.
And now, BOOM! Studios executives say they are even better positioned to get those comics in front of readers.
At the recent ComicsPRO retailer conference in Portland, Oregon, publisher BOOM! Studios announced a change that had only happened once before in 22 years.
The publisher has been named a premier publisher by Diamond Comics Distributor, the largest distributor of comics in North America, and will move to the front of that company’s Previews catalog, along with fellow publisher Dynamite Entertainment.
Filip Sablik is president of publishing and marketing at BOOM! Studios. He spoke to
The Oklahoman about what’s coming for BOOM! Studios.
“We know from looking at market penetration reports that roughly half of Diamond’s retail base doesn’t order from the back of the catalog,” Sablik said. “Being in the front of the catalog is a powerful endorsement to retailers (and their customers) that these are the comic publishers every retailer should be considering and stocking in some fashion.”
Comic shops can receive additional discounts on the entire BOOM! line for April solicited product, primarily shipping in June.
“This kind of change to the premier lineup has only happened once before in 22 years, so it’s a momentous occasion for us, and we want to taking every opportunity to set our retail partners up for success,” Sablik said.
Sablik said great product is necessary for a promotion like this to succeed, and he highlighted a handful, including:
• “Planet of the Apes Visionaries: Rod Serling,” an original graphic novel adapting Rod Serling’s unproduced screenplay for the original film that hits stores in August
• “By Night,” a new 12 issue series from Giant Days creator John Allison.
• “Garfield: Homecoming,” a limited series where the Fat Cat runs away from home and each issue is depicted by a different artist in their signature style.
• “Sanpaku,” the debut graphic novel from Kate Gavino (Last Night’s Reading), also in August.
• The return of “Regular Show” to comics.
“There’s a new launch item from each of our four imprints so I’m confident we have something for any comic reader,” Sablik said.
More ahead
Meanwhile, the publisher isn’t resting on its laurels until the summer. “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” will begin its first comic crossover event from the publisher on Wednesday.
“We are launching Power Rangers: Shattered Grid, the first comic book event in the 25-year history of the global franchise, at the end of March,” Sablik said. “This is a massive multi-series event that is easily the biggest thing we’ve done with the property.”
The crossover will alternate between issues of “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” and “Go Go Power Rangers” and include three special oneshots. The crossover will kick off with “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” #25, which will ship in a black polybag to deter spoilers.
In the comic, Lord Drakkon — a twisted alternate-reality version of Tommy Oliver (the Mighty Morphin Green Ranger) — and his army cross dimensions, threatening the existence of all the Power Rangers. For the first time in comics, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers will join forces with many of the additional Power Rangers teams to face the threat.
Next week, more from BOOM! Studios Filip Sablik, including the publisher’s plans for RoboCop.