[...] is causing some dispute. Comic readers may remember Platinum Studios as a company better at getting hype than publishing comics and with a history of shady dealings. I [...]

[...] they were acquired by generally shady Platinum. Even if you don’t mind the ethics, Platinum lost over $5 million last year, mainly [...]

A

Johanna’s summed up much of Platinum’s appeal, especially to newbie writers–the company takes every pitch seriously, no matter what their position in the industry might be. Executive Editor Lee Nordling has spent an awful lot of time over the last several years working with creators to develop their craft–even creators who hadn’t sold a project to the company, but who they saw potential in. I was pitching stuff to Lee for two years before I got my first assignment, and his insight and criticism made me a better writer.

In addition to that, I know several creators, including those who’ve had books published by Image and numerous other small-press companies, whose first actual paycheque for comic creation came from Platinum. That cheque generally wasn’t a whole lot, but when pursuing your passion has only cost you money, getting a little can go a long way. I can honestly say I wouldn’t have gotten PARTING WAYS or DONE TO DEATH produced if it wasn’t for my involvement with Platinum, even though the company ultimately has nothing to do with either of those books (and, considering the subject matter, would likely be horrified to be mentioned in the same sentence as them).

It doesn’t get mentioned often, but there is a reversion clause for properties sold to Platinum; after a set period of time, the company will either return the property to the creator or pay an extension fee that’s substantially higher than what they paid for the original development period. The length of the initial period is, I understand, greater than is frequently the case for Hollywood options (I honestly haven’t had enough dealings with Hollywood to know for sure, but I have no reason to doubt it.)

I’m no pollyanna, nor am I toeing the company line, here. Obviously, I’d like nothing better than for the online content to generate interest in a printed product that will make the creators involved some (or loads of) money–but that idea is, to the best of my (admittedly limited) knowledge, relatively untested, and, being an aspiring curmudgeon and a lifelong luddite, I have my doubts about whether it will work.

The “no advertising revenue for online comic material” is a matter of concern for some creators. I haven’t had a chance to have my lawyer re-examine my contracts with Platinum closely enough to determine whether the company’s got the right to do that. In my experience, they’ve been entirely scrupulous when it comes to honouring their contracts, so I’ve little reason to doubt that they do. If they do, I’m at peace with that–anyone who’s attempted to enter comics post-HOWARD THE DUCK has no excuse not to know what they might potentially be signing away, and if I (and my lawyer) did miss something that’ll cost me money, I can’t in good conscience blame Platinum for that.

Finally, and I know nobody’s brought it up here, as of yet, but it seems to be a common notion that’s floating around, Platinum is not abandoning print comics in favour of webcomics. They are trying to generate interest in print comics by releasing the stories on the web first. COWBOYS & ALIENS should be going online…today, I think. I’m told that yesterday it appeared on Page 175 of the latest Previews as a full-colour, 100+ page graphic novel for $4.99 (order code OCT06 1908) (in the interest of full disclosure, I should mention I have a co-writing credit on C&A).

I understand perfectly why people are inclined to take a dim view of the company in general and the hyperbole in the article mentioned in particular–if I were on the other side of the fence, I’d probably be lobbing a few snide remarks myself. I guess we’ll see whether the negativity that seems to be coming from the online community has an effect on how the work is received.

Andrew Foley

PS: The PENNY ARCADE strip: Ow. It’s hilarious, but…Ow.