After producing eleven issues of its anthology title, Quantum, Birmingham-based Time Bomb Comics has decided to put the release of their direct to newsagents comic on hiatus for a few months. Issue 12 was expected into shops later this month, but that will no longer be the case. However, all existing subscribers will receive a limited-edition variant of Quantum 12 in April.
As we previously reported, the hiatus comes as the publisher faces challenges bringing the title to the British newsstand with change behind the scenes at WHSmith as its high street operation changes hands, sold to Modella Capital, owner of Hobbycraft. Even ahead of the changeover later this year, fans of Quantum had difficulties finding copies of the title.
Now publisher Steve Tanner has expanded on the background to the publisher’s decision.
“Regular readers of Quantum will know that in recent months we’ve had challenges getting the comic into shops when it needed to be, due to circumstances outside our immediate control,” Steve outlines. “For example, the current issue 11 was unfortunately delayed by three weeks due to a printer error that necessitated a full reprint.
“Consistent direct to newsagent sales have also been challenging, with many readers telling us they just can’t get hold of a copy due to factors such as their local WHSmith closing, or nearest independent newsagents just not interested in stocking comics and magazines.
“Delays and lack of availability are frustrating for readers, but they also have a knock-on effect for us,” he continues, “as most of the revenue generated for the sales of the comic fund the advance costs needed to publish it. Basically, if we don’t receive it when we need it, then it creates a problem.
“So, rather than continue to swim against the tide, it seemed the sensible thing would be to get out of the water for a while, which would help put us in a better position to continue publishing Quantum rather than not publish Quantum at all.”
The good news is, Time Bomb Comics are still keen to publish Quantum, the hiatus allowing for time to regroup and rethink its distribution.
“It will also give us some time to bring all the varied distribution methods we have for Quantum in line,” Steve reveals, “and build on some newer ones, such as digital and printed editions of Quantum being available through Kickstarter.
“We appreciate this news will be disappointing for all those that were looking forward to reading Quantum issue 12 this month, but we hope our readers agree that an extended delay rather than cancellation is indeed great news!”
• For those of you who missed out, you can always buy back issues at the Time Bomb Comics web shop, and pick up other Time Bomb Comics titles such as Westernoirand Brawler, too
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: British Comics, British Comics - Current British Publishers, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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