What can we do???

[udoneko]

So, more and more so, I hear about people not able to find this, went to shops and already sold out that, my store won't order this in for me! etc etc.

And as I have mentioned before, SF sales is settling at about 27K nowadays, and Darkstalkers is barely making 15K. I myself TRUELY believe that there are more Capcom fans out there who would buy our books. We have put in all our sweat and blood to make sure that these books have a high quality and its worth the read. And we wanna see what you guys can come out with regarding maximizing the readership of SF & DS.

So, fire up your brians, my friends -

[TAS]

Put all your comics online, and charge a monthly fee. People can read all the comics they want for lets say $5 to $10 a month.

Comic stores arent as near and far as they used to be, and not everybody that would be intrested in getting your (or anyone else's) comics dont want to have to go to comic shops (for whatever reason) and they probaly dont want a subscription either, but if you get your stuff completely on the internet it will open a much wider audience to you. Then your going to have to advertise in the right places, magazines, web sites, etc, etc.

[Apathy-Inc]

Get the comic to video game stores. Work out a deal with GameStop or EB. Try to get Eternal Challenge book into the shops as well. It's really hard with Capcom not producing a new game to help you market.
I had originally heard that CFE was supposed to come with a Summer Special if you pre-ordered (the Ryu/Sagat cover). I thought having those at least displayed at the checkout counter would be a great way to promote it.

Participate in Free Comic Book Day. Re-release the Summer Special with cheaper paper stock. Something, just make it more accessable. People come out in mobs for that day. Kids especially.

Get Wizard to do a story or something. Put some of that wasted space in their magazine to good use. I saw a tiny article about 2005 and Udon, but that was buried among 122 other things coming out this year.

I'm going to the comic store tomorrow, maybe we can brainstorm some ideas.

Edit:
Maybe doing a Spring Special? That'll help remind people about Rival Schools and definately get you jump started for the con season. Wizard World LA to Phili would be a great place to have them.

[ShinRyuHoshi]

Get the comic to video game stores. Work out a deal with GameStop or EB. Try to get Eternal Challenge book into the shops as well.

That is really the best way to get the comics into gamer's hands since that is where they tend to hang out most and what SF relates to, being a video game. I don't know how the Nuby SF controllers are selling but finding them in locations like GameStop and Blockbuster video really help to market the product to the right consumers. Comic book stores are declining in numbers and it tends to be a chore (at least for me) to pick up an issue. Online comicbook stores are readily available but the person first has to know the comic exists, then search for it at various websites to get the best prices, plus pay an additional cost for shipping and handling. I'm positive that if a deal can be made with game retailers to market the SF comics at select stores, sales of the comics will increase dramatically. It follows the basic theory of the 4 P's of Marketing (Marketing Mix = Product, Price, Place, Promotion). Without the proper word of mouth, many gamers may not even know or have forgotten that the SF comic series actually exists. As simple as "Out of sight, Out of mind". Just my 2 cents Erik.

-SRH-

[Time_Stop]

Not much of an idea: Is the TPB on bookstores already? The audience on a Barnes & Noble is always much bigger than comic stores...

Anything else would be obvious - ads on game magazines, sample pages of the new issues in gaming sites, etc.

Put all your comics online, and charge a monthly fee. People can read all the comics they want for lets say $5 to $10 a month.

No way. One person would pay for it, the rest would wait for the guy to post it online in a forum or image forum. He would save it or print screen the whole thing. The sales of the regular comic would get smaller, and they would lose even more money.

The game store thing is like the Blockbuster thing - a very good idea, but what doesn´t sell goes to the trash (can´t be re-sold), plus there´s the whole shipping expenses that you don´t have with comic stores...

[kyred]

hi udoneko. i sent you a private message. i might have an idea as to how to further promote your comics in our local market. :)

[arcticninja]

maybe selling the comic book in video game stores like Electronic Boutique?

[nortlee]

I still don't believe that the comics are well advertised outside of the US, I mentioned it before but it got ignored (Probably a dumb idea so fair enough) but what about asking Capcom to put some comic promotional inserts in their games? You know like you usually get advertisements for arcade sticks, future games, etc in the games when you buy them (Not always).

I also like the idea of putting the comics in computer game stores where more of the fans are going to be. Who knows? It might even evolve our games stores more by holding more merchandise.

[TAS]

No way. One person would pay for it, the rest would wait for the guy to post it online in a forum or image forum. He would save it or print screen the whole thing. The sales of the regular comic would get smaller, and they would lose even more money.

Not true, since Marvel does something similar to what I described, and nobody EVER does what you're talking about with the comics Marvel has available.

[Hauzer]

Not true, since Marvel does something similar to what I described, and nobody EVER does what you're talking about with the comics Marvel has available.

For fear of being fined or sued.

[Sano]

I don't know about all that. One of my friends downloaded the entire Origin Wolverine Comic Book Arc for free. Even if he won't pay money for the service, and he's not stupid enough to share it with the world, there are ways to steal this stuff.

[Hauzer]

I used to read comics, but like all great things the creators find some kind of way to screw everything up. It's like there looking to see how close they can get to being bankrupt. My "local" comic shop is about 15 miles away. Everytime I'm in the area, I go in looking for the latest issue of SF, only to hear that there sold out. I the manager one time why or how does the comic sell out so fast? His response: Small companies such as yourself (meaning Udon, *his words) don't produce/ ship that many comics to begin with. There not MASS produced, in so many words. Which makes perfect sense seeing as how I don't even hear about the comic from friends etc. who also read comics and are avid SF fans. One didn't even know a comic existed, and he's practically an expert on any and all things SF.

To me I think you charge TOO MUCH for SO LITTLE, your comics have two stories, a main one and a back story one. Put together the whole thing doesn't even reach 30 pages, minus all the ads.
The main story is about half as long as any regular comic story. The back story is even shorter. Plus you charge about $3.00 for an issue that short. SF#11 being a perfect example. Granted Marvel, DC, etc. have charged 3 or more dollars, but your at least getting what you paid for. The art is GREAT as well as the stories, BUT the price is a little steep for only 12 to 15 pages of MAIN story dialogue. If the main story was as long any other comic PLUS the added 6 to 8 page backstory, THEN a charge of $2.95 to $3.00's makes sense.

Comics aren't what they used to be, like arcades people will go to them (ala, buy comics), but they're not going to really give a crap weither they go or not, when there's nothing new OR what's suppose to be new cost to much. It's like paying 50 cents to play X-Men vs. Street Fighter, a good game. But why bother when MVC2 cost the same and offers you ALOT more. When I bought my first issue of SF (which was #11 due to the comics being sold out all the time or never there at all.) I felt ripped off. I enjoyed the comic very much, but not the price.

Someone also stated that you should sell your comics in game stores. I concure, but take that idea one step further, you should sell your comics WHEREVER they sell gaming magazines, ie. the grocery store, regular bookstores such as BORDER'S and Waldenbooks and game stores such as FuncoLand, Babba... Well the GameStop merger chain, and EB. You could even try the electronic/ gameing section of some stores like Toys'R'us, Wal-Mart, and Target. Basically WHEREVER they sell a GamePro magazine etc. you should try to sell your comic. Like me not everyone lives down the street from a comic book store, which means for those who would like to read or own your comic they can't because they etither don't know of it's existance or have no means of obtaining it in the first place. Just a thought. Still I would lower the price about 50 cents and increase the length of one of the stories every other issue and there might be a sale increase. Oh and MASS produce, don't be stingy with the orders, so folks who are always told: "They're sold out", don't just say the hell with it and find something else to read, the more you produce the better your odds of increasing your income.

[Hauzer]

I don't know about all that. One of my friends downloaded the entire Origin Wolverine Comic Book Arc for free. Even if he won't pay money for the service, and he's not stupid enough to share it with the world, there are ways to steal this stuff.

True, that's understandable, but if you steal something and then decide to be stupid and show it off to the public, like in a forum, then you run the those risk I was speaking of. It's like me buying a comic, scanning it, and then selling it to my friends. Harmless, that's for anyone to decide. But if some Marvel exect. happened to get wind of my little action, then I run those risk. See what I'm saying.

[Time_Stop]

Reality check, people!

Marvel and DC can afford selling their single comics outside comic book stores. The other companies... not so much.

Comics sold on comic books stores are shipped and handled by Diamond. Most comic companies check how many copies of an issue were ordered, then they print that number (or a little more) and let Diamond handle it. So, if your store owner says there are not enough copies, he´s LYING. They print what was ordered, not the other way around.

Now Marvel sells on newstands and other places too, where things work differently. They print whatever number of copies they feel like it, then ship to the stands. Afterwards, the copies that weren´t sold are destroyed.

Small companies can´t handle that! They don´t have the money and their titles don´t sell enough to cover it.

I didn´t know that before, but udoneko mentioned their TPBs on Blockbuster worked the same way. They tried that once because it was a TPB, and a special deal with Blockbuster, with the guide and the joysticks at the same time. I doubt they would want to do that for every issue.

Not true, since Marvel does something similar to what I described, and nobody EVER does what you're talking about with the comics Marvel has available.

And you live in the Fantasy Island with Santa Claus too? Open your eyes, man. People steal comics everywhere! You go to a chat and people will be discussing send comics via MSN to each other. You go to a forum and someone will be offering a new issue on "the hub". A site offers a full issue for free and people will be like "hey, i´ll save it and just buy the next issue, then". There are whole groups just for stolen comics, man. Any chance they get they will steal it. Doesn´t matter how, be it print-screening it, saving it, scanning... It´s there.

The thing is, Marvel can afford it, because they sell TEN TIMES more than most companies (with the exception of DC). A few thousand people stealing their comics are small peanuts for them (still a crime, though - if they see it they´ll come after you for sure, and with good reason). Now, for Udon, who´s selling what... 17000 copies of Darkstalkers... it would be a big deal.

Use your brain, please.

[The V]

The thing is, Marvel can afford it, because they sell TEN TIMES more than most companies (with the exception of DC). A few thousand people stealing their comics are small peanuts for them (still a crime, though). Now, for Udon, who´s selling what... 17000 copies of Darkstalkers... it would be a big deal.


He's absolutely right about this.

Udoneko:
I read the interview with Ken Siu-Chong in Play magazine yesterday. It spanned several pages and had sample artwork and had small cover exposure. (BTW, did an Udon artist draw the 3 KOF characters for the background pic of the KOF 02, 03 review?)

I think this type of exposure is best for the book and should be continued. Play magazine is dedicated to video games but also has a section for anime and collectibles. Perhaps other magazines about anime and collecting, like Newtype, which you had past association with would be willing to print something for the book, interviews, creative process, tour of your HQ, etc. This will help spread word on the book and the company behind it.

The trouble is that video game, anime and collectible magazines have a great deal of cross-readership and thus you may be only advertising to the same people, so new comers may be few. The biggest challenge is to widen the audience, but this is difficult. A strategy is to try to go beyond comic, anime, and game audience, but still sticking to art.

For example, your artwork is superb and I'm certain the talent you have goes beyond comic art to art in general. I'm sure people interested learning art would be willing to use your products as learning aids. I'm uncertain how line art is taught but it seems logical that reference books materials are used. Perhaps Udon could make such an aid and try to spread word of the Udon company and its style into the art community, which should be more varied than an anime and video game audience. This may be one way to expand the audience.

Just my two cents.

[Sagatryu]

http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/panel/107282551770972.htm

[Rico!]

Are there going to be any subscription services anytime in the future? If so, you can have capcom put a subscription card in each of their games so people can subscribe if they feel like it.

Blah, doesn't sound too good but whatever...I want a subscription so i don't have to drive all the way to my comic store after school

[mohammeda1i]

Hey Erik,

One thing I've learnt about business is the importance of reaching the target audience. In this case, fanboys, (retro) gamers and arcade goers.

Shops I agree with the EB idea. Send a few to the main stores. If they sell well, I imagine they will reorder more copies. If nothing else, mention the comics in a poster about the control sticks. This will help publisise the comic to gamers in shops.

Arcades You could do a similar thing (esp. with the control stick poster). I think most arcades would love a big poster of SF

Websites Last area is the rest of the gamers. Links at sites is an easy one. In fact, create a few banners and I will put a link from my site to yours (and so will other SRKers). Every little helps :pleased:
Oh, and bigger sites are better targets. Places like ign.com, gamesradar.com etc etc.

Access A lot of people interested in Street Fighter (and willing to buy the comics) don't visit/know where comic book shops are - In fact they are too lazy even if they did know. Collect subscriptions online (via Direct Debit), and have local comic book shops send out copies. You don't even need that many to agree. One in every country could do it. Difficult I know, but it's an idea (and one that would increase a LOT of sales IMO). Alternatively, send them out yourself :xeye:

I hope that helps, and good luck. We'll do what we can this end :tup:

Mohammed Ali

[kyred]

This just in.. in my first week of scoping out the local markets for the viability of selling SF and DS comics myself, I came across a store that did pre-orders for comics. The conversation went something like this:

ME: Hi! What do I need to pre-order comic book issues?
CLERK: Oh you just need to give a 50% deposit, your name, and the specific issues. After that, Pay the remaining 50% upon claim and you'll be set.

ME: Okay. I'd like to pre-order Darkstalkers #3A and #3B please, and the #1 foil cover. Set me up with Street Fighter #13 as well. Just one of each.
CLERK: Oh ummm.. sorry we can't pre-order the SF and DS comics. (Note that for some reason, the DS and SF comics in their store are out of stock even before release, so they SHOULD be doing pre-orders after all!)

ME: I see. Could I speak with your boss, please? I'd like to talk to him about supplying your store with Udon Comics products. Apparently you stores here run out of copies so quickly that stock doesn't even last 5 hours in your store.
CLERK: (Laughing at me) Geez sir, you don't have to do that. We get copies but it's just NOT POSSIBLE to order for everyone. There just aren't that many copies available to be ordered. We just happen to run out of stock of the amount that we can possibly order.

Now you people see how things actually work. More and more I work on making the final clarifications with the post office and customs, etc. The severe limiting of Udon sales has got to end now, even if people like me have to sell it ourselves.

I can only think of the consequences of underselling. If Udon can't sell a decent amount of comics, and given that their books are of much higher quality than most other series out there, I don't want to jump to conclusions but let's just say I hope they'd still be able to continue their comics.

[LBD_Nytetrayn]

Here's an idea. Get Capcom to support their damned licenses for a change.

They have a website (http://www.capcom.com), they have a store (http://www.capcom.com/merchandise.xpml) on their website. And they never seem to promote much more than the games or the strategy guides for their games on their store.

Action figures is empty, books just has an old RE novel, music and videos are empty as well... it's pretty bad. Even their Mega Man site says "Enter to buy games, action figures, comic books, strategy guides, clothes, and more" yet hasn't provided much more than, again, games and guides.

They don't even really mention the big stuff coming, like the debut of any of your comics(or releases of DVDs, toys, anything with their characters. Ryu could be named President of the Universe, and their site wouldn't mention it), Udon's involvement with Capcom Fighting Evolution is pretty much non-existant... it's pathetic. They should be pitching this stuff more than anyone.

Heck, they even have their own forums (http://bbs.capcom.com/), a good place to promote stuff, I'm sure.

Instead of a crappy Capcom t-shirt with a purchase, maybe a SF comic book with an SF game? Stuff like that?

More ads on gaming forums and gaming websites might be good, too. Maybe pay small fees for people on different forums to spread "word of mouth" when new issues come out.

The odd ad in a game magazine would probably help, too. Maybe work on some sort of deal with different ones. Like, "subscibe to <insert magazine here> and get a Street Fighter graphic novel for <x amount of dollars/free> for a time. Get them hooked so they seek it out.

Seems the art of subscribing to comic books has become a lost one, as well. Something to be considered by all, I think, given the shrinking number of comic shops, as noted in this thread.

The online idea may have merit, too. Doesn't Marvel do freebies? Then again, you guys do previews, so that's a plus... but maybe the complete first issue would be good, as well?

The promotion(of which the comic seems to be but a footnote of on Capcom's website) of the comic with the Nubytech controllers is good, but... I'm not sure the product was entirely right, so to speak. Frankly, it's a hard product to push, because the PS2 controllers are already pretty good.

Now, had Capcom made a GameCube version of the game, not only would there be a more practical need for that kind of controller, and the comic that comes with it, but it'd reach the hands of OTHER gamers as well, as I'm sure anyone with a Game Boy Player can attest, the regular Cube controller is good, but for something like SF or GBA games, digital is the way to go. And the classic set-up is a great plus, too.

But... that's out of your hands. Terrible shame, that. Even if I didn't get SFAC for Cube(were it to exist, mind), I'd STILL probably pick up the controller for Mega Man Zero 3(through the Player), which the Cube buttons jinx me on every time.

So, those are my ideas. I say start with the source of all things Street Fighter, Capcom.

Also, I agree with the Free Comic Book Day idea. Maybe something with ADV's SF releases could be done as well... or with the action figures. Cross promotion helps, too.

LBD "Nytetrayn"

[ShadowBrat]

So long as we're spitballing, here's my 2 cents...

Why not appeal to the videogame nature of the series, to draw in more gamers to the comic.
-Reprint an issue but re-color the characters in their player 2 colors (Red Chun-Li, Blue Blanka, White Haired Morrigan, etc...)
-Perhaps as an in-joke digitally add in health meters during a fight scene that lowers acordingly to when that character takes a hit.
-in that same vein write in stuff like "First strike" "Feirce Combo" or "Round One: Fight!" during a fight (of course, One would have to make clear that this would be only for that special issue and dosent happen in the regular series)


Why not re-print an issue of Just Back up stories to draw new readers in.

Produce a new Story but evry page is drawn by a differnt big name artist.

Have a section where the guest artist can talk about why they are fans of the game,

Rather than have a darkened version of the cover on the Back, Why not have the House or Guest Artist do a special Sketch of a character, either doing something cool or in casual clothing etc...

Promote to Anime Fans, lots of Anime Magazines out there, perhaps ad space at the back of GN's. or do a cross-promotion with VIZ who owns the rights to the DarkStalkers Anime.

Why not take advantage of the Fact that there's a SF Vs X-men Game, and Marvel VS Capcom game and do some sort of cross over with Marvel.

There are a lot of Video Game Review Shows out there today, perhaps have one of them plug the Book?

More in-store promotion posters?

Have Capcom send you over Some pre-production designs, or hard to find art wich you can showcase in the book.

[BlodiaVulcan5]

my local comic shop does not carry the series, unfortunately, so i have not read a single of them as i would have a year ago. i feel ashamed. =|

[truth0ne SGC]

The only way I'd see your series getting a wider audience is if Capcom put a little more push behind the franchise.

Tehy could release a jam-type version of "Street Fighter" for Xbox Live, featuring ALL characters, redone in a new style, and a coherent storyline.

Along with that, produce a quality "Street Fighter" OAV series that parallels the game exactly.

Tie that in with your comics and other merchandise and they can enjoy one last go-round with the franchise.

That'd cost millions, though, and I'm sure no one wants to take that risk up at Capcom.

***

I DO think that they should look to the "Mugen" phenomenon and actually sell a similar program. Every now and then on www.capcom.co.jp, offer a new character download or upgrade... additional stages, music... $1.99 per character, $0.99 per upgrade... Use the iTunes model...

Offer online head-to-head play, rankings, tournaments...etc... PRIZES!

It could be done... Holla at ya boys at Capcom, Erik.

[wizdom0379931]

what if UDON does a ten part anime on the comic,on whats out so far in the storyline to see how people react to the story on TV. Saturday morining cartoons is not a bad idea more kids tune in on saturday then any other days of the week. And it would help the comic. Cartoon network has a pretty good thing going with the anime shows they have and kids WB wouldn't be a bad idea as well. It wouldn't hurt to try something different to help the comic be come bigger then what it is.

[Fantoboy]

I work at an EB, the comics would get all beat up sitting in a rack. If we got the TPB or perhaps 2-3 comics bundled in a sealed pack, they would be more presentable in a retail store like this. I dunno how well it would sell though. I think everyone who I've sold the NUBY controllers to knew about the comics.

How about instead of selling the comic at gamestores, advertising in one of their monthly flyers or paying to have a "bagstuffer". A bagstuffer is a sheet or pamphlet the employees put in every bag or leave on the counter. OR.. EBgames has a monthly video they let run continuously called EBTV. Advertise on that. I can get you in touch with EB marketing if you need Udoneko.
Next month would be a great time to advertise. CFE and SF Anniversary are right around the corner on XB. Fighting game fans WILL be in the stores. In the past, some games such as EA NHL and UFC Pride sent free copies to all the stores as prizes for in-store tournaments. Perhaps if Udon sent out a comic package to the stores to give out for prizes for Street Fighter tournaments.

I think maybe including a mini comic with the SOTA toys would help. Plus SOTA has to send out more of the figures at a time. Everywhere in my mall (Gamestop, Hot topic) sells out of those figures in a second.

Advertise in ToyFare magazine. Many of the Street Fighter toy collectors read this tabloid.

here's an idea for the readers: If you really like the comic, buy all the covers. You are collecting something worthwhile, and supporting a great comic. I buy both covers and the foil every month (and all the Darkstalkers), but I'm sure there's alot of you out there buying just one issue. I'd buy 2 of each cover if I knew it would ensure the comic will continue, but buying every cover for now is the least I can do to support the scene! They obviously need help, do your part!

[King9999]

It's probably been said already, but you should advertise in all major gaming magazines, as well as game websites, like GameSpot.

Also, you could try starting up a subscription service, just like how it's done with Archie comics. It's pretty difficult finding a copy of SF in my area (for some reason, my local comic book store orders advance copies for certain people and not for the general public). Availability is definitely a concern, but I guess that would improve once the comic gets more exposure.

As for the price of the comic, the cost is what it is because of the limited print run. It's all basic economics: if the supply is short, price goes up to cover the cost of production.

[TiamatRoar]

Udon should print and sell extra issues of the comic on e-bay if the retarded comic book stores won't order enough. *getting pissed at his stores for never having the comic*

[Glitcher]

-Perhaps as an in-joke digitally add in health meters during a fight scene that lowers acordingly to when that character takes a hit.
-in that same vein write in stuff like "First strike" "Feirce Combo" or "Round One: Fight!" during a fight (of course, One would have to make clear that this would be only for that special issue and dosent happen in the regular series)

That sounds a little too extreme for readers to take the comic seriously. The story element will be lost.

Anyway, I'm very pleased to have read such extensive and clever ideas. Indeed, I think Udon need to promote themselves more by getting into video game stores and getting backup from Capcom whose series they've bolstered through the comics. Capcom owes them that much. Even a team-up with Marvel doesn't sound so crazy. It would help sales and give Udon a chance to do a Marvel VS. Capcom comic. (Yay, Ruby Heart! ^_^ )

I also think Udon need to take a chance to supply more issues and let store owners know that they're moving into mass production. Currently, Udon believes that their glorious comics are underselling. So what do you do in that situation? Produce less to make supply meet demand, or produce more with some promotion to try and increase demand? Let's say they produce less. Next month, demand will inevitably be less due to less issues being produced, so Udon continues to decrease their supply further. This continues on and on and on until finally it hits Udon that they're not selling enough issues to keep the company alive, and suddenly they find themselves in the same spot that Dreamwave is in.

I think I've made my point and all the loyal fans have provided enough suggestions to help Udon in their plight. Now it's up to them to make the decision to take action.