Steve Jones - Editor (9/16/2010)
I was told recently that the Raw Materials comics that we have run for a little over a year, will be be discontinued recently. This wasn't my decision, but honestly I can understand the decision and didn't fight it.Phil Factor was the person that brought this idea forward, and has worked with Larry Gonick to bring you a steady stream of comics that have entertained many people, myself included, over the last year or so.
A few weeks ago one of the senior management people at Red Gate asked about the cost for the comics and did not feel that the cost of the comics was in line with the exposure and the reads that they got. This is not to say that Mr. Gonick is charging too much, as I have no idea what a good rate is for a comic. This is more that the cost of the comics, compared with what we see in our web analytics isn't a good return from management's point of view.
This isn't necessarily a final decision, but more an immediate one. If you think that the comics are worth continuing, then I'd urge you to pass the word to friends, get more people to view older comics, and write a letter to Red Gate. You can contact them at info@red-gate.com, and explain why the comics are a great idea.
If there is enough response, I'm sure we can continue this series.
Unfortunately, I understand this, as well. It just sucks that every joy in the world needs to turn a profit in order to be kept. I believe Larry's comics are good enough for syndication, though. You know... Family Circle/Peanuts comic type of weekly syndication.
Me? If I were RedGate, I'd open a new product line of desktop accessories based on Larry's characters. If some dude can sell rocks as pets and a movie can sell a figurine who's head looks like the front grill of an old Chevy, why can't RedGate figure out the potential gold mine here? 😉 Calendars (big and small), mugs, water bottles, mouse pads, PostIts, figurines, those funny little statues with a cute saying on them. windup toys, collectors editions of the yearly toons. The list goes on. You could start a whole culture here. 😉
Wake up boys and girls... heh... remember that one company uses a green lizard to sell their stuff. I believe you're missing a hell of an opportunity here. Start thinking about super-bowl-class advertising here.
--Jeff Moden
Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.