When it comes to comic books there are more publishers than ever. Today, there’s a new publisher entering the field known as Bad Idea. Self-dubbed as an “experimental new comic book publisher” the first titles will be arriving in May 2020. They’ve also thrown around the word “unruly” to describe themselves though they’ve cryptically pointed out we’ll find out why soon. The new publisher has been formed by five people all previously involved in Valiant Entertainment’s return to form.
The new publisher will be producing a limited number of series–only one or two single issues per month–in a prestige format for $3.99 per issue. Separating them from the pack is their delivery method without a single issue being available digitally, will have no variant covers, and will never be collected in any format be it trade paperback, hardcover, or bookshelf formats. That means if you want to read their series you must go to a comic book shop and read it issue by issue. It’s an interesting idea since the method of reading comics via “trade-waiting” has become so in fashion these days.
The first series from Bad Idea is titled Eniac by Matt Kindt and Doug Braithwaite and they’ve revealed new projects will be announced featuring creators Marguerite Bennett, Mae Catt, Joshua Dysart, Tomas Giorello, Eric Heisserer, Jody Houser, Lewis LaRosa, Jeff Lemire, Peter Milligan, Adam Pollina, Robert Venditti, Zeb Wells, and more.
But wait there is more! This new publisher is delivering single issues in prestige format, but also in a prestigious way with only 20 hand-picked comic shops carrying the titles. These comics also come with a “one per customer” policy and comic shops will be getting extra promotional commitments to help sell the books. It’s a verifiable win-win for comic shops thanks to this driving interest and making the books harder to find.
For all the details read the full press release below!
February 6, 2020 (LOS ANGELES, CA) – From here on out, you’re going to hear an awful lot about BAD IDEA – an experimental new comic book publisher debuting in select comic shops in May 2020.But, wait, we’ll get to the “select” part in a second.
BAD IDEA’s mantra is “don’t do anything unless it’s special.” That could apply to the way we appear at conventions, it could be the way we get books into stores, but, more often than not, you’ll see it first and foremost in our comics. With that in mind – and in spite of ourselves – BAD IDEA is going to produce an intentionally limited number of series at any given time: no more than one to two single issues per month. Single-issue, monthly comics are the fuel that keeps BAD IDEA’s engine running – and, over the past year, we’ve been making a ton of them in secret with some of the industry’s best and most respected creators.
It’s been a blast so far…and we’re just getting started.
An advance look at Lewis LaRosa’s cover art to MEGALITH #1 – coming soon from BAD IDEA
Each BAD IDEA comic will feature A-level comics storytelling from some of the medium’s leading talents in a pristinely designed, prestige-format package. Some – usually our first issues or totally mind-blowing one-shots – will be oversized with page counts far in excess of the standard 22 pages. A few others might even come stealthily loaded up with hidden features and other surprise bonuses so secret we might never even mention them in public. But, no matter what, each BAD IDEA comic will have a standard $3.99 cover price. And our goal is to make sure that each time a new one shows up in your local comic shop, it’s kind of a big deal.
Here’s why: BAD IDEA’s titles will feature no variants, will not be offered digitally, and will not be collected into trade paperbacks, hardcovers, or other bookshelf formats.
You will have to go to a comic shop to buy them, each and every month.
We’re not going to tell you everything about all of our new comic series up front because, well, we don’t want to spoil the fun all at once. But we can say this…
BAD IDEA’s first release will be ENIAC – a new series from New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (Mind MGMT, Folklords) and acclaimed artist Doug Braithwaite (Justice) beginning May 2020 – and we’ll be releasing complete details about it in the next few days. In short order, you’ll also be hearing about upcoming projects from creators including writer Mae Catt (Young Justice), Eisner Award nominee Joshua Dysart (Unknown Soldier, Harbinger), acclaimed artist Tomas Giorello (X-O Manowar), Harvey Award nominee Lewis LaRosa (Bloodshot Reborn), acclaimed artist Adam Pollina (X-Force), New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (Justice League), and more.
What’s more, BAD IDEA is already hard at work on new releases from multiple GLAAD Media Award nominee Marguerite Bennett (Batwoman), Academy Award nominee Eric Heisserer (Bird Box, Arrival), Eisner Award nominee Jody Houser (Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy), multiple Eisner Award winner Jeff Lemire (Black Hammer, Gideon Falls), comics icon Peter Milligan (X-Statix), Emmy Award-winning writer Zeb Wells (Amazing Spider-Man), and more.
But here’s the rub: BAD IDEA’s new releases won’t be available everywhere. To get things going, BAD IDEA will be self-distributing its titles to a carefully selected roster of just 20 participating comic book retailers with more admitted on a rolling basis for a total of roughly 50 within the first year.
Each BAD IDEA store will qualify to participate based on a unique system of criteria that includes enhanced signage, promotional displays, and rules for stocking and selling BAD IDEA releases, including a strictly enforced “limit one per customer” policy on all BAD IDEA comics. Retailers who wish to apply directly can email BAD IDEA’s customer service team at hello@badideacorp.com.
Here are the people who should be held responsible for this: BAD IDEA will be led by Co-CEO & Co-Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani, Co-CEO & Co-Chief Creative Officer Warren Simons, Publisher Hunter Gorinson, Director of Marketing Joshua Johns, and Sales Consultant Atom Freeman – reuniting the team that successfully resurrected Valiant Entertainment and re-forged the independent publishing house into the leading, award-winning industry force behind the upcoming BLOODSHOT feature film starring Vin Diesel from Sony Pictures.
We’ll be posting even more crazy stuff online soon at BadIdeaCorp.com. Sign up for updates and whatnot here.
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