BotP Comic Set to End With Issue #12

Message from BotP comic writer, Munier Sharrieff, taken from the Yahoo! BotP Mailing List, February, 28, 2003:

From: BRASSDEMUR@AOL.COM
To: BOTP@YAHOOGROUPS.COM
Sent: Friday, February 28, 2003 5:23 AM
Subject: [BotP] APOLOGIES FOR ISSUE #7

Hey folks---

A couple of coloring/art errors where made in this issue. One was the obvious everyone one seems to have caught which is that Mark's uniform was colored as Jason's in the scene when the Phoenix's canopy bubble is shattered.

Another is a close-up of Tomak sweating. This is not happening! The big guy everyone loves to hate is in control of this situation, he KNOWS exactly what's going on by the simple fact that he has set up a conversation with his major players and lets everyone talk amongst themselves and while this goes on--he reads everyones mind. He knows that he'll get out unscathed before the ship is destroyed--hence he's cool as the proverbial cuccumber.

If any of you out there may think that this change in Tomak is out of the blue--look back to issue #6 when Tomak is alerted to the situation at Hammer Bay, he steps out of character and apologizes to President Kane.

I've been slammed for things in the past; such as the infamous "cat scene" in issue #2. "Why would a lab be aboard a warship?!" Well now you see that the Iron Terrapin was more than a simple warship--it was more a Trojan Horse, a vessel that was a carrier for a biological weapon. A lab on board to conduct tests on the readiness of such a weapon makes perfect sense. Oh and for the record--I LOVE CATS, I have an eight year old Persian by the name of Yoda who I carry around like a newborn so much that my wife and kids get jealous.

ABOUT THE DROP IN SALES:

I've noticed---you guys have noticed, that sales have plunged greatly since issue #1. In the biz that is expected, but what's scary as hell is that the book has dropped out of the TOP FIFTY. I've recently had a phone meeting with the big wigs at Top Cow, Matt Hawkins and the new editor-in-chief Jim McLauchlin along with Alex. I have always asked is there something on my end that can be done to boost sales, change of direction, more emphasis on sex and violence--uh QUIT? In all seriousness I would step down if getting a new writer would save the book. I don't do this for the money--I've got a career that pays very well---hell Top Cow gets on me for dragging my ass about invoicing for the work I've done. What hurts me is that I believe the book has gotten MUCH better but the sales don't reflect it.

And a new well known super star writer doesn't guarantee great sales, Mark Millar one of my favorites couldn't help the re-launch of Rob Liefelds "Youngblood"--I couldn't even find the book because orders were so low. The same goes for Chris Claremonts run on "GEN 13", he's teamed with a great artist Ale' Garza and the book is barely in the top 100.

The over all problem we believe is that compared to the other '80's books (and I hate that we're lumped in that catagory because BOTP isn't an 8O's cartoon) this show was not seen by as many folks as say Transformers, Thundercats, G.I. Joe or He-Man. Those books have a current cartoon and toyline to fall back on. Except for T-Cats of course. I'd bet that the hardcore BOTP fan is 30 years of age or older.

So for now I'm still at the reins--however the book will end at issue 12. Now hold yer horses! It will be come back in November with a six part story arc. A VERY COOL AND INTENSE six part story arc simply titled G-FORCE.

In this story I will cover the shadowy origin of G-Force and introduce a villian that makes Zoltar seem like Benny Hill. If the sales spike--then the book will live on--if not well I can't say.

The guys at Top Cow are gonna watch closely to the sales numbers for April, with so much BOTP stuff coming out--including three books from yours truely, they hope sales will rise.

Anyway sorry for straining your eyes--and MUCH THANKS for all the Devil Star info! It was a HUGE help.

peace

Munier

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