Hey, Folks!
I do believe I have reached a state of complete serenity within the midst of unprecedented comic industry upheaval! Despite a litany of issues and problems that the industry is dealing with between pandemic-related backlogs and shortages to the tangle of distributors trying to adjust to the New Normal I have, at long last, decided that it is not in my best interests to lose my mind every time something goes pear-shaped. Nope…not gonna do it. I have read far too many comments from retailers and industry leaders crying out to the community that “The Sky is Falling” to be affected by it anymore. I simply don’t have the emotional bandwidth for it and I still see my primary job as creating a welcoming, inclusive, and friendly environment for all of you to enjoy your hobby pursuits. I realized that I am much more interested in talking comics or movies or family life or even…<GASP> Star Wars than I am in discussing how disheartening it is for me to deal with the current industry problems. I figure that all of you good folks are dealing with similar issues at your own jobs…why would you want to come here and have to listen to the same litany of problems, especially when the internet is full of people already going on and on about it? So no more complaining from Yours Truly…I am going to start just being grateful for having my own business in an industry I truly do love and being having my store populated by some of the best customers EVER!
That being said, there are a couple of situations I wanted to let you in on, not to bemoan them, but to keep you informed and assure you that they are being properly dealt with. For instance, I was shorted my entire shipment of Star Wars High Republic Trail of Shadows #1 this week from PRH. I want to assure you that they have been reported and I am currently awaiting a response from PRH on when I can expect to see my replacements shipped. Obviously PRH has had a few issues with the new distribution paradigm and I can only imagine how backed up their office team is dealing with what must be a surfeit of shipping difficulties so I’m patiently awaiting their response. In any case, I do have a complete listing of everyone who ordered a copy of the book on hand and I assure you that I will pull and hold all copies as soon as I receive them.
Another weird happening for the week is the announcement from Image Comics that several of their upcoming titles will be delayed a week or two until their printed catches up with orders. I don’t have the full list in front of me now, but for next week and the week after it looks like the primary titles affected that I actually carry in the store include Gunslinger Spawn and King Spawn. Gunslinger Spawn #1 (due out next week) had some slight allocations for my orders of Cover A and I have been told I will receive the balance for the week of October 27th. King Spawn #3, also due out next week, will have covers A & B available, but covers C & D won’t be received until 10/27 as well. I have included King Spawn #3 A & B covers on this week’s shipping subscription form and I will put the other covers on the form for 10/27 when they arrive. Again, if you special ordered any of these covers your order is still good! There were a couple of other minor schedule changes for other Image books, but those consisted of special ordered items and I will inform you individually of their current statis as I see you.
Speaking if Gunslinger Spawn #1…it is indeed coming out next week! I have plenty of copies coming in and I want to let you know that in order to give the newest Spawn comic the push I think it deserves Monarch Comics will be offering the title for only $2.99…$3 off the $5.99 cover price! We did a similar promotion for King Spawn #1 and it went well, so I decided to try it again with Gunslinger Spawn #1. Make sure you take a good look at it next week when it hits the new release rack!
Also I’m pleased to announce that Monarch Comics will be participating in the second annual Bikes and Boos Halloween event on Sunday, October 31st! Taking place in the parking lot of our Colonial Village Shopping Center from 2pm-5pm, Monarch Comics will have a selection of free comics that kids can chose from while they go about gathering candy from folks lined up in the lot. Come by for some spooky fun for everybody!
Thanks for tuning in again this week, my friends, and have a great weekend!
Eddie