I had more success at this year's New York Comic Con than last year, but the sales for Crozonia were still not as good compared to Chicago and Toronto. I'm not sure if it's because this show is a more corporate tradeshow like San Diego Comic Con, than the "flea market" sales bonanza that Chicago and Toronto are.
I sold about 80 Crozonia #1 and 80 Crozonia #2. A far lower total than Chicago or Toronto. Just like those shows, there were alot of people who came up to buy Issue 2 after buying the first issue last year! This is the real indicator that people enjoy my work! I would like to thank those people who bought the first issue and stuck around for issue 2. Thanks so much for the support. It makes a little indy artist like me feel big!
I also exhibited the Art of ReBoot, a Beach Studios co-production with Arcana and DMF. Altogether, we sold 82 copies of the artbook. That's a decent number considering the price point of $24. I was also able to sell around 20 ReBoot posters.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Upcoming Conventions
The New York Comic Con is shaping up to be a HUGE event! Stan Lee and Steven King are guests of honour! I will be there at Artist Alley 147 selling Crozonia Issue 1 & 2, as well as premiering The Art of ReBoot! See you in New York!
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
The Art of ReBoot
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Monday, November 13, 2006
Beach Studios on the rise! Latest News:
Beach Studios is quickly emerging as one of the top comic book creative studios in Toronto. Since the Fan Expo in September, we have worked on:
- More great packaging work for Mattel.
- Packaging work for a new client, Canadian toy company Spin Masters!
- Arcana, Canada's largest comic book publisher teamed up with Beach Studios and DMF Comics to work on an ongoing illustration project for Nerd Corps Entertainment.
- Crozonia Issue 3 is on schedule for release in mid 2007.
- Beach Studios is also entering into the CG creative services, doing Facial CG work for a Hollywood feature film coming out in 2007.
- Beach Studios also acquired the license from Mainframe Entertainment to this ReBoot Poster! On sale soon!
- More great packaging work for Mattel.
- Packaging work for a new client, Canadian toy company Spin Masters!
- Arcana, Canada's largest comic book publisher teamed up with Beach Studios and DMF Comics to work on an ongoing illustration project for Nerd Corps Entertainment.
- Crozonia Issue 3 is on schedule for release in mid 2007.
- Beach Studios is also entering into the CG creative services, doing Facial CG work for a Hollywood feature film coming out in 2007.
- Beach Studios also acquired the license from Mainframe Entertainment to this ReBoot Poster! On sale soon!
Friday, October 27, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
The Word on the Street Toronto Recap
I exhibited at The Word on the Street festival yesterday, and overall the sales were great! Thanks to everyone who bought an issue of Crozonia! Just like Fan Expo, there were many people who came just looking for Issue 2! Thanks for waiting.
Festivals such as these are great for measuring how the general public buys my products. The sketchbooks and posters didn't sell too well, but the issues were flying off the table! Most people who bought Crozonia for the first time, bought both issues for the $5 deal.
I also admire the public for braving the rain during the afternoon. The rain didn't seem to stop the sales. We just moved our table back to give our buyers some shelter! I had great fun!
Sales Report:
Total books - 152
Issue 1 - 72
Issue 2 - 79
Sketchbooks - 1
Posters - 3
Festivals such as these are great for measuring how the general public buys my products. The sketchbooks and posters didn't sell too well, but the issues were flying off the table! Most people who bought Crozonia for the first time, bought both issues for the $5 deal.
I also admire the public for braving the rain during the afternoon. The rain didn't seem to stop the sales. We just moved our table back to give our buyers some shelter! I had great fun!
Sales Report:
Total books - 152
Issue 1 - 72
Issue 2 - 79
Sketchbooks - 1
Posters - 3
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Fan Expo Photos
Here are some photos from the Fan Expo!
The snazzy new entrance to the show.
This is my table in the artist alley. It's modest, but effective. I will be getting another banner and a more elaborate display for next year's convention season. That's fellow artist Julio del Hierro, working hard.
Kijin, my expert inking assistant.
I do the sketches, Julio takes my calls.
Some fans gripe about the Expo. But this guy's head is on a stick!
One of the many free sketches I did.
Bobby Chiu, one of the heavy hitters in the artist alley.
The Crozonia Crew, from left: Jim Su : West Coast Skillz, Julio Del Hierro : Viva La Razza, Ben Su: Make fun of my haircut, but I just scored a sketch from Jim Lee! Mofo!
The snazzy new entrance to the show.
This is my table in the artist alley. It's modest, but effective. I will be getting another banner and a more elaborate display for next year's convention season. That's fellow artist Julio del Hierro, working hard.
Kijin, my expert inking assistant.
I do the sketches, Julio takes my calls.
Some fans gripe about the Expo. But this guy's head is on a stick!
One of the many free sketches I did.
Bobby Chiu, one of the heavy hitters in the artist alley.
The Crozonia Crew, from left: Jim Su : West Coast Skillz, Julio Del Hierro : Viva La Razza, Ben Su: Make fun of my haircut, but I just scored a sketch from Jim Lee! Mofo!
Monday, September 04, 2006
Fan Expo Canada Recap
Fan Expo Canada was this past weekend (Sept 1-3), and it was truly an incredible show! I sold 278 books in total! 112 first issues, 149 Second issues, and 17 Sketchbooks. I also sold 34 Posters. On the downside, just like Chicago, new readership was down because I sold 195 first issues last year. This means there is a cieling for the marketthat is willing to an indy book. This means I need to go to uncharted territory next season such as Motor City Comic-con (Detroit) in May, and Comic-Con International (San Diego) in July. I got to chat with some big name industry guys, and bump into guys I hadn't seen in years, and learned from Brian Michael Bendis that an Omega Flight series is launching next year!
Photos coming soon!
Photos coming soon!
Monday, August 28, 2006
Demented Poster: I'm lovin' it.
Here is the first demented love child of the DMF/Beach Studios alliance:
Get it while it's hot! Available first at Fan Expo Canada, Sept 1-3.
Get it while it's hot! Available first at Fan Expo Canada, Sept 1-3.
Fist Full of Comics
Here is an audio (mp3) intervies I did with www.fistfullofcomics.com during Wizard World Chicago. Enjoy!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
DMF Comics
DMF Comics is a local Toronto comic book publisher that puts out a small but diverse array of comic books. They also offer creative services, so DMF colourist Peter Kostka has been helping colour both Issue #1 and #2 of Crozonia. He also helps colour my Mattel freelance work. There has been great synergy between DMF and myself. We help each other find printers, share post-production knowledge, and have gone together on convention trips such as Chicago and New York.During Chicago, we discussed taking advantage of these synergies and creating a formal alliance between DMF Comics, Inc. and Beach Studios.
Here are some things we have planned for this formal alliance.
- Our artwork and creative properties will be appearing more often in each other's products. For instance, Mechanika #1, an artbook by Jimbing will feature a pinup of Crozonia's Princess Acaste. I will be unveiling a poster of their flagship title Demented: Scorpion Child.
- DMFComics.com will be a portal to beach-studios.com and crozonia.com
- The Crozonia online store will eventually migrate to a new and improved DMF online store. More products such as posters will be available for sale due to their shipping capabilities.
- Unified appearance at major comic book conventions such as Fan Expo Canada. Look for a major DMF/Beach Studios set up in the Artist Alley and Corporate Area!
So what happens to future issues of Crozonia? Nothing changes really. Crozonia will still be printed under the Beach Studios banner unless I find a larger publisher to carry Crozonia for global distribution.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Wizard World Chicago Photos
A big THANK YOU to everyone who purchased a book from me this past weekend!
The trip to Chicago was a success from a creative and financial standpoint. Unlike New York, I actually turned a profit after travel expenses and table costs were figured in. But New York is where I made alot of business contacts. Chicago is more flea market than trade show. My highlight of the show was meeting lots of IFL fighters, talking to Thomas Jane (The Punisher) about printing costs, and meeting some Marvel and DC editors. I also met Sean O Reilly from Arcana Studios, the largest Canadian Comic Book Publisher.
Here is my table in the Artist Alley. It's a bit Flea Market, but that's my strategy to sell. Other tables are nice and neat, with one display book on the table. But I've found when you spread books out on a table, it's more inviting for people to browse around.
I did free sketches all weekend long. But you had to buy a book!
Acaste headshot.
f="http://www.beach-studios.com/resource/Chicago2006/WizardWorld.jpg">
Wizard World Entrance.
Best costume at the show!
MMA: The next big thing.
2nd best costumes!
Carlos Newton, coach of the Toronto Dragons. Represent!
The Bas.
My former employer, Mainframe Entertainment from Vancouver was there.
Arcana from Vancouver.
My current employer, Mattel.
Linsner booth.
Local Chicago company, Devils Due.
Van City, West Coast SKILLZ!
Renaissance suites for only $99/night! You can't go wrong with that!
This is what the locals eat. They don't live very long...
Tim Hortons in Michigan. This means the Motherland is close by.
The trip to Chicago was a success from a creative and financial standpoint. Unlike New York, I actually turned a profit after travel expenses and table costs were figured in. But New York is where I made alot of business contacts. Chicago is more flea market than trade show. My highlight of the show was meeting lots of IFL fighters, talking to Thomas Jane (The Punisher) about printing costs, and meeting some Marvel and DC editors. I also met Sean O Reilly from Arcana Studios, the largest Canadian Comic Book Publisher.
Here is my table in the Artist Alley. It's a bit Flea Market, but that's my strategy to sell. Other tables are nice and neat, with one display book on the table. But I've found when you spread books out on a table, it's more inviting for people to browse around.
I did free sketches all weekend long. But you had to buy a book!
Acaste headshot.
f="http://www.beach-studios.com/resource/Chicago2006/WizardWorld.jpg">
Wizard World Entrance.
Best costume at the show!
MMA: The next big thing.
2nd best costumes!
Carlos Newton, coach of the Toronto Dragons. Represent!
The Bas.
My former employer, Mainframe Entertainment from Vancouver was there.
Arcana from Vancouver.
My current employer, Mattel.
Linsner booth.
Local Chicago company, Devils Due.
Van City, West Coast SKILLZ!
Renaissance suites for only $99/night! You can't go wrong with that!
This is what the locals eat. They don't live very long...
Tim Hortons in Michigan. This means the Motherland is close by.
The Watcher Signing
The Watcher Comics is a nice little store on Queen St.in the Beaches. The challenge posed at the signing was getting people to come down.I think I caught lightning in a bottle and from a creative standpoint, it was a success. Dave, the owner of the store, was very impressed with how many people came down. New faces that have never stepped foot in a comic book store. From a sales perspective, I could have sold more. It was a family event so I was doing free sketches and wasn't trying to hustle sales. I'm saving that for the conventions!
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Year 2 Sales Report
Keep track of my Year 2 sales progress here:
Unconfirmed:
Toronto Comicon
San Diego Comic-Con International
Philadelphia Wizard World
| Event | Issue 1 | Poster | ||
| CORE Sneak Peak! July 24, 2006 | 7 | |||
| The Watcher Comics Issue 2 Premiere July 29 2006 | 28 | |||
| Chicago Wizard World August 3-6 2006 | 109 | |||
| Fan Expo Canada September 1-3 2006 | 112 | |||
| Toronto Word on the Street September 24 2006 | - | |||
| New York Comic-Con February 23-25 2007 | - | |||
| Year 2 Internet Sales | 1 |
Unconfirmed:
Toronto Comicon
San Diego Comic-Con International
Philadelphia Wizard World
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Crozonia Issue 2 is available now!
Just got the books from the printers, and once again, they did a stellar job. Crozonia Issue 2 is now available in the online store through PayPal! You do NOT need a PayPal account to purchase books online. Just a credit card will do.
Crozonia Online Store
Crozonia Online Store
Friday, July 21, 2006
Sketch Card Update
The Sketch cards from Vista Print turned out great! The printing was great, and should make a nice giveaway, or a collectors piece if I sketch on the back of it. As always, here is the price breakdown:
Oversized Postcards (8.5" x5.5")
Quantity 1000 for 99.00 US
Image Upload fee 9.98
Shipping 13.03
Canadian Taxes 20.65 CAN
Total $141.45 US
I'm sure there may be better quotes available, but this price is pretty good.
Get your free sketch card at The Watcher Comics Premiere!
Oversized Postcards (8.5" x5.5")
Quantity 1000 for 99.00 US
Image Upload fee 9.98
Shipping 13.03
Canadian Taxes 20.65 CAN
Total $141.45 US
I'm sure there may be better quotes available, but this price is pretty good.
Get your free sketch card at The Watcher Comics Premiere!
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Crozonia Issue 2 Premieres at The Watcher Comics, July 29
The second issue of Crozonia will make it's premiere at The Watcher Comics,
during the Toronto Beaches Jazz Festival on Saturday July 29!
Jim Su, local Beach artist of Crozonia, will be doing free sketches, giving away free postcards, and autographing copies of his latest book. The Beaches Jazz Festival is one of Toronto's largest events, as over half a million visitors gather on Queen Street to enjoy great music, great food, and now great comics!
It's going to be a great event! and great for the kids!
Saturday July 29, 3-5pm, 7-9pm
The Watcher Comics, 2219 Queen St East
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Ashcan Artbook
I am currently producing an ashcan Artbook that will have lots of goodies. Here's the cover. 32 pages, B&W + Colour Cover. $5
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Sketch Card
I am printing oversized postcards that are 8.375" x 5.333. The back will be white with the logo and website address (www.crozonia.com). I will be marketing them as Crozonia Sketch Cards. From now on, I will only sketch exclusive on the back of these cards. They will be sold for $5 each. A pretty cool collectible!
The print run on these cards is 1000 for $110 + Shipping. If there are better deals out there, let me know! These cards will be sold for only $1 each at conventions. For special events such as Word On The Street and the Issue 2 Premiere at The Watcher Comics on July 29, they will be given away for free! More details on the Premiere soon.
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