February 2, 2009:

THE BLUEWATER COOLER: Publisher Darren G. Davis rants and raves about the comic industry: ISSUE 7

I get mixed views when I talk to people about the comic book industry to whom is the key to picking up new books. Some retailers say it is the fans and the fans say it is retailers recommending books. I think it is a combination of both. I will drive far to go to a retailer that I like a lot. I love the retailer who will read the books before I get into the store and recommend something for me. I have found many of titles that I would not usually pick up because my retailer told me about them.

With the new year, Bluewater Productions is changing its publishing practices and reaching out to better help comic book retailers, the economy and the environment. Bluewater's new found effort is designed to drive new readers into comic book stores.

Not only is Bluewater promoting the comics, but the comic book locator as well. Our efforts have led to a recent flurry of national television,newspaper and magazine coverage from CNN, TIME Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, OK! Magazine, Fox News and USA Today. All were drawn by Bluewater's "Female Force: Michelle Obama" & "William Shatter Presents" series. The "Female Force:Michelle Obama" comic has received more pre-orders from any comic produced by Bluewater.

We have spoken to a lot of retailers and we share the same view about bringing in new readers to the stores. With the new STAR TREK movie coming out in May we are counting on that fans will enjoy the "William Shatner Presents" title. Shatner's support on this title is not only going to be going a national press tour, but editing and co-writing all the series. Bluewater's FREE COMIC BOOK DAY book is a 32-page comic featuring the properties William Shatner created which features a 12-page prologue to the "Tek War series."

Bluewater is also in the process of working with Lionsgate Films to develop series based on cult classics such as Warlock and Leprechaun. We have also developed a series with the Vincent Price estate as well as with filmmakers Roger Corman and Ray Harryhausen.

Starting in February Bluewater is doing their part for the environment by changing our printing to be 100% green. Bluewater will be one of the 1st comic publishers to do this. We are also helping out the US economy to bring our printing back to the US.

Some Bluewater February titles, will include a bonus book to the ordered title. The comic will now be a 48-page flip book at the $3.99 cover price. Though Diamond Comics raised their benchmark a couple weeks ago, Bluewater is staying at the same price point as well as looking for ways to cut down prices to make sure the reader gets most out of their money. Most of our titles are featuring more than the traditional 22-page stories. Our "Plan 9 From Outer Space...Strike Again" series has 28-pages of sequential art.

I am not just a person who publishes comics, but one that purchases comics every Wednesday at my local store.

Until next time….

Darren