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comicsatemybrain

Gemstone update

Lead

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Posts: 4397

Mar 30 09 4:50 PM

Registered Member

Tags : gemstone, disney, ec archives

An item at The Beat regarding Gemstone. The short version is that (1) Gemstone is not going to renew their Disney license; (2) there are all sorts of cancellations from Diamond reflective of this; and (3) EC Archives Tales From The Crypt v4 and EC Archives: Vault Of Horror v2 have been canceled. That last item is not a surprise to readers of this thread.

No indication in the story one way or the other as to whether re-solicitation of the EC books is anticipated. I know that Diamond's cancellation codes give some indication regarding this, and I'm sure that anybody who has access to that info will be able to share it here. Regardless, even if those books are postponed rather than canceled outright, it doesn't take a lot of imagination to figure that it will be a long wait for them to be re-solicited.

Reading now: White Tiger mini-series; X-Statix Omni

Awesome new acquisition: X-Statix Omnibus (still waiting for my copy of Marvel Firsts 1960's to arrive, I'm sure that will qualify)

...with great power comes -- great responsibility!

Last Edited By: comicsatemybrain Mar 30 09 5:09 PM. Edited 1 time.

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themouseholecat

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Posts: 1251

Mar 30 09 5:15 PM

From today's Lying in the Gutters:

"I also understand that Steve Geppi's Gemstone publishing company is to close, just as the final Overstreet Price Guide shipped."

DavidTai

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Posts: 16727

Mar 30 09 5:52 PM

Forum Moderator

I'll guess that if this is true, we'll see Russ Cochran make an announcement soon as to where the EC Archives goes, as it's likely up to him on what to do with it.

--------------
Brother Eye

is watching.
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themouseholecat

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Posts: 1251

Mar 30 09 6:29 PM

It depends what happens to the EC licence, which I'm pretty sure is currently owned by Geppi and/or Gemstone, not by Russ Cochran. If Geppi could no longer publish, would the license revert to the Gains family ?

Fin Fang Foom

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Mar 30 09 6:31 PM

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I'll guess that if this is true, we'll see Russ Cochran make an announcement soon as to where the EC Archives goes, as it's likely up to him on what to do with it.

That's always a possibility, should it come to that, but I wouldn't necessary expect it to happen "soon." Even assuming it doesn't take too long to sort out any licensing issues (it's possible Gemstone had a sub-license through Russ Cochran) this might not be the optimal environment to get into business with another publisher.

And since someone asked -- yes, when all is said and done, the rights remain with the Gaines Estate, and they can decide whom they want to work with.

Another question, of course, is where does the Overstreet Guide end up? (Thank goodness the Wizard publishing empire doesn't seem to be all that strong these days...)

In The Back Of Beyond: My photography blog. Everything seen through the camera of my iPhone.

Last Edited By: Fin Fang Foom Mar 30 09 6:37 PM. Edited 2 times.

jhalbright

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Posts: 10044

Mar 30 09 6:51 PM

Golden Age

Fin Fang Foom wrote:
Another question, of course, is where does the Overstreet Guide end up?

CGC?

(Of course, I think that would be a bad thing, but they seem like the most likely candidate.)

BP25

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Posts: 258

Mar 30 09 6:52 PM

One way of determining Gemstone's pulse should be by watching Amazon etc. Both Amazon.com and Amazon.ca have EC volumes that are out of stock at the moment but availabe elsewhere. If Amazon get more stock in the next few weeks then maybe Gemstone is still filling orders from their warehouse. I also notice that the 3 books we've been told are at the printers don't seem to be on the Beat's list of cancelled books. False hope or a glimmer of daylight? Putting out those books would be one way of generating cash flow, as the editorial work is done, unlike the cancelled books. It also could be the sales of the new Overstreet Price Guide (out this week) will be a determining factor for Gemstone's continued existence.

DavidTai

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Posts: 16727

Mar 30 09 7:11 PM

Forum Moderator

Lemme rephrase that, FFF- I think that Cochran, given that he's carried the license all this time, first publishing it by himself, and then working with Gemstone on the others, is most likely going to be the one announcing what happens with the EC Archives and the rights. The Gaines estate has had a working relationship with Russ Cochran for over 30 years, so I have to imagine that -he- is the most likely person to announce what's going to happen with these rights.

--------------
Brother Eye

is watching.
--------------

DegenerateMatter

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Posts: 1810

Mar 30 09 7:15 PM

CGC would be the WORST place for Overstreet. Any credibility that Overstreet has would be destroyed by being aligned with CGC, who has an interest in jacking up valuations.

comicsatemybrain

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Posts: 4397

Mar 30 09 7:19 PM

Registered Member

DegenerateMatter wrote:
CGC would be the WORST place for Overstreet. Any credibility that Overstreet has would be destroyed by being aligned with CGC, who has an interest in jacking up valuations.

And how is that attitude different from Overstreet's advisory board now?

Reading now: White Tiger mini-series; X-Statix Omni

Awesome new acquisition: X-Statix Omnibus (still waiting for my copy of Marvel Firsts 1960's to arrive, I'm sure that will qualify)

...with great power comes -- great responsibility!

mra1

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Posts: 936

Mar 30 09 7:23 PM

Bronze Age

I was not aware that Tales From The Crypt v4 and Vault Of Horror v2 had even been solicited. Are they in tomorrows Previews? I am 99% certain that they have not been solicited through Previews.
I preorder all my books and I currently have 4 EC Archives ordered and they are Frontline Combat 1,Haunt of Fear 1, Two Fisted Tales 3, and Weird Science 4. They are allready paid for so I'm kinda ready for them to go ahead and cancel them if they are going to so I can get a refund. Of course I would rather have them actually published.

HULK SMASH PUNY MESSAGE BOARD!!!!

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Fin Fang Foom

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Posts: 9489

Mar 30 09 7:28 PM

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One way of determining Gemstone's pulse should be by watching Amazon etc. Both Amazon.com and Amazon.ca have EC volumes that are out of stock at the moment but availabe elsewhere. If Amazon get more stock in the next few weeks then maybe Gemstone is still filling orders from their warehouse.

I wouldn't read too much into something like that. It could very well be that Diamond is distributing what stock remains (I'm assuming Diamond represents Gemstone in the mass market, anyway), or it could just have no bearing whatsoever on future publishing operations, potential or otherwise.

In The Back Of Beyond: My photography blog. Everything seen through the camera of my iPhone.

Raro

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Posts: 2998

Mar 31 09 2:39 AM

Registered Member

From "Lying in the Gutters" at comicbookresources.com : "I also understand that Steve Geppi's Gemstone publishing company is to close, just as the final Overstreet Price Guide shipped.

Overstreet is part of the language of Western comics and considered the central authority, not only on pricing comics but indexing their history, over forty years of publication.

I can't see the title not continuing in some form. Likewise, the Disney and EC titles that Gemstone publishes, will no doubt find alternative homes."

James Friel

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Posts: 10400

Mar 31 09 3:04 AM

CGC?!?

Damn, I'd rather see Fantagraphics take it on--and that would be entirely ridiculous.

It's a prominent enough publication that I think Overstreet could get a "regular" large book publisher to take it on--maybe even Random House, which has been distributing it to the book trade anyway.

Ah, the meek. Playing the long game.
Sneaky bastards.

--Denise Mina, Field of Blood

Last Edited By: James Friel Mar 31 09 3:07 AM. Edited 1 times.

neuron23

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Posts: 645

Mar 31 09 8:05 AM

Registered Member

Updated overnight on LITG:

UPDATE: Jeff Vaughn, Executive Editor/Associate Publisher at Gemstone posted.

"There's one major problem with this story: Gemstone isn't closing. We've had some changes, and like a lot of companies some of these changes have been painful.

"I can't comment on the other material in the article at this point, but I am certain that both the EC line and the Disney line will continue in one form or another.

"We actually hope to have some very positive news about the Guide soon, and we'll be glad to share it at that time."

President of Gemstone Steve Geppi posted the following response:

"In the past few days, there have been a number of rumors circulating about Gemstone Publishing. As has been the case with many businesses across a wide array of industries, there has been a reduction in staff at Gemstone, and this included the departure of many valued employees. This, however, is not the end of Gemstone Publishing,

"Our flagship title, The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, remains a vital tool for comic book collectors throughout North America and around the world and it continues to be a highly profitable item for the retailers who carry it. I look forward to making announcements regarding new developments for the Guide's 40th anniversary next year.

"At this time, no final decision has been made regarding The EC Archives or our comic books featuring Disney's standard characters, but it seems certain that both lines will continue in some form, We all anticipate resolving the issues facing us and moving forward, and I will be happy to announce the specifics once things have been finalized."

I think the word is... developing.

---------
http://www.jason-hoelscher.com

comicsatemybrain

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Posts: 4397

Mar 31 09 8:20 AM

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I think the word is actually "spinning."

Although it remains to be determined whether Gemstone is spinning and gaining valuable time by doing so... or whether they are spinning 'round and 'round as they head down the drain.

Reading now: White Tiger mini-series; X-Statix Omni

Awesome new acquisition: X-Statix Omnibus (still waiting for my copy of Marvel Firsts 1960's to arrive, I'm sure that will qualify)

...with great power comes -- great responsibility!

Fin Fang Foom

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Posts: 9489

Mar 31 09 8:36 AM

Registered Member

I think the word is actually "spinning."

I doubt it. I imagine Rich Johnston's "sources" (and I use the term loosely) jumped to conclusions, or he's just pulling unsourced items off of various sources and repackaging them as "news," which he does from time to time. Either way, I think a representative from the company is more likely to be able to speak with authority. They're a small publishing company, they've already cut back to a skeleton staff, the've been up front about projects that have been cancelled -- there's really no need to maintain some sort of charade.

And in any event, whatever happens to the properties the company had licensed isn't likely to happen soon -- this stuff takes time.

In The Back Of Beyond: My photography blog. Everything seen through the camera of my iPhone.

HighlandRay

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Posts: 7088

Mar 31 09 8:55 AM

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I would like to wish them well in these difficult times and hope that the company will survive and move on to give us these beautiful EC Archives in the future.

comicsatemybrain

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Posts: 4397

Mar 31 09 8:59 AM

Registered Member

Fin Fang Foom wrote:
I doubt it. I imagine Rich Johnston's "sources" (and I use the term loosely) jumped to conclusions, or he's just pulling unsourced items off of various sources and repackaging them as "news," which he does from time to time. Either way, I think a representative from the company is more likely to be able to speak with authority. They're a small publishing company, they've already cut back to a skeleton staff, the've been up front about projects that have been cancelled -- there's really no need to maintain some sort of charade.

It isn't just unsourced "news" from Johnston. Regarding the Disney license there is a sourced item as well.

Reading now: White Tiger mini-series; X-Statix Omni

Awesome new acquisition: X-Statix Omnibus (still waiting for my copy of Marvel Firsts 1960's to arrive, I'm sure that will qualify)

...with great power comes -- great responsibility!

kevin75

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Posts: 3423

Mar 31 09 9:09 AM

while i would hate for gemstone to stop publishing my favorite line of books, i understand that the economy isn't good right now. i can wait patiently (i think) for more books. they have done such a great job with them that i hope they are able to keep them going, even if we had to wait awhile.

"There are just some things you can't compromise on. Some things you can. A new suit...yeah. Dream house...maybe. But the girl...you can't compromise on the girl."

Fin Fang Foom

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Posts: 9489

Mar 31 09 10:06 AM

Registered Member

It isn't just unsourced "news" from Johnston. Regarding the Disney license there is a sourced item as well.

Yes, I am aware of that -- but it's a very large leap from Gemstone opting not to renew the Disney license to the company shutting its' doors completely.

In The Back Of Beyond: My photography blog. Everything seen through the camera of my iPhone.

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