I Want My Comics NOW, But Doesn’t Everybody?
January 8th, 2007Over on their website, ComicsPro has posted an open letter about diamond’s allocations in light of recent weather and vehicle issues (Reported on in Comics Radar 009) calling, essentially, for diamond to hold all issues of these high demand issues so that they can be released to all stores at the same time.
On one had, I’m tempted to call this nancy-boy whining as they’re not letting stores that have these issues take advantage and sell them. an open market makes for a strong market and there is no reason diamond or the comic shops should have to spend the additional money it costs to store these products until a time when it’s convenient for the not as savvy businesses to put the product out. And really there are still differences. Maybe they should hold all comics until 5 o’clock on the business day so all possible deliveries have been made so I don’t go to store A which gets a morning delivery versus store B which gets an evening delivery. And it certainly isn’t fair that I have to wait an extra day to read my comics because of some silly government holiday when diamond UK gets them wednesday (or vice versa) so maybe anytime there is a holiday in any country we should hold back a day, and until 5 o’clock, so no stores get that advantage of having books a couple days earlier than any other. But that’s just me being mean spirited.
I can also see the other side. Retailers that know how to play the game, work with resellers, and order from far away warehouses would essentially have a one week monopoly on that “rare” Civil War 6 and price gouge the issue up to $5or more and most likely everyone would get angry at Marvel. I already saw it on the Newsarama forums. “Why is Marvel allocating Civil War? Don’t they understand the demand this book has.” and all Marvel can do is stand back and say it wasn’t us while no one listens. Marvel takes the flak because a majority of buyers are ignorant of what Diamond even is. Of course, not you, savvy reader, but the majority of the reading populace. So, diamond once again has an opportunity to sit back, screw with the readers and the fans with virtually no repercussions, while fans anger grows and DC and Marvel wash their hands. Leaving retailers to take the fall out.
Definitely a hard spot for everyone involved, except Diamond. Diamon gets to laugh all the way to the bank. But will Comics Pro allocation request work? Would that solve all the issues, not likely. but it would stop retailers from gouging on these limited issues. And that’s always good for the reader.
February 24th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Just thought you’d enjoy learning that you’ll know the name of my attorney and his firm in due order based on your libelous attempt to critique a matter that clearly won’t be settled between parties any other way but in civil court.
Under the logic grasped by many … One person lies and several others swear to that lie. Then, the lie is embellished further and with the help of “professionals” in the comic book entertainment industry this lie then somehow becomes fact.
But does it?
There are aspects of this matter, even as stretched out and mishapen as it is, that all the crappy comics journalists in the world, have no idea about. So to the discerned reader: Go ahead, read what has been said by others WITHOUT the basis of fact of the matter and make your personal decisions. But understand that until ALL the facts are out in the public arena — NOBODY has spoken fact about this matter involving myself, my company … which is STILL viable and operating (another lie reported re: TightLip Entertainment being shut down) … and those talents formerly under work-for-hire contract, and STILL obligated by formal and legalized non-disclosure agreements.
Thank you.
Rick Olney
TightLip Entertainment
February 24th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
Just to let you know as someone who actually went to law school, reporting on an issue that is relevant to a community be it online, in a newspaper, or on television is protected so long as you are acting in good faith on information received. Since you are using other sites that have documentation of all of these facts you are clearly within this realm and have nothing to fear from any lawsuit whether real or imaginary. As a matter of fact should you be served for putting this on your site you can counter-sue for loss of wages and attorney’s fees should you have to attend any preliminary hearing.
Chris
Calliope’s Realm Comics
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
February 24th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
I wouldn’t sweat anything threatened by Rick Olney. He’s a toothless pit bull in that regard. Lotta bark and absolutely no bite. Heck, I’ve been waiting to hear from his mysterious legal team for well near 9 months or so, and still nothing. His threats of legal ramifications are only superceded by his promise’s to pay. Ton’s of talk… no action.
By the way, nowhere does his (or anyone elses’ in their right mind) NDA say “if I don’t pay you for work performed… you can’t go out and say so. You are not allowed to spread the truth that I am a lying cad about paying for materials produced.” So… there ya go!
February 24th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Great article Jim, right on the button!!!
Oh Rick, you and your “lawyer” are gonna be so busy. What lies are you talking about, yours?
February 24th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Great article, but you left out one bit: For those who wish to cut through the literally thousands of pages of chatter, nonsense, and invective to get to the heart of the story, click on over to Unscrewed! which is the site we’ve created to try to raise (1) awareness of Rick’s scumbaggery and (2) financial assistance for those victimized by him. We have archives of almost every post Olney made in that monster thread, so you can see for yourself what a barking loon (and liar) he is.
We’re gearing up for a pretty incredible auction of comic-related items to raise money for the people Rick stiffed. Check it out!
MacQ.
September 20th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
So…almost 19 months later. Did you ever hear from Rick’s attorney?
Been sued yet?
And has that viable and operating publishing powerhouse Tightlight actually published anything since then?