Wahoo Morris

This Week's Wahoo Morris

2007-12-05T05:19:00.001-08:00

A Halloween Post

2007-10-31T05:38:00.001-07:00

Baltimore Comic Con and The Harvey Awards!

2007-09-06T05:39:00.000-07:00

I made a last minute decision to attend the Baltimore Comic Con. What tipped the balance for me was the desire to attend the Harvey Awards, as I'm up for an award for my work on The Chelation Kid.

I'll be flying to Baltimore early Saturday morning and should be at the con by noon and will be there all day Sunday as well. I will be hanging out at the Insight Studios booth, so if you are attending the show, stop by and say hello. I'll have some original art on hand, and will be doing the odd commission sketch.

Free Comic Book Day Wrap Up.

2007-08-22T17:41:00.000-07:00

It’s been a few months since Free Comic Book Day, and I thought it was time to do a wrap up.

Going in, my goal for participating was to raise awareness about Wahoo Morris, with the hope that two or three hundred stores who hadn’t tried the book out might get a chance to see it and then bring in a copy of the trade paperback.

Around 10,500 copies of the FCBD book went out to 695 stores to be distributed on Free Comic Book Day. Of those 695 stores, only 29 had previously ordered the Wahoo Morris trade paperback.

Post FCBD I got an order from Diamond for 32 copies.

I don’t have the data for how many of those books went to stores that hadn’t previously ordered, but the results were a little disappointing to say the least. I probably gained no more than a handful of new stores.

I have no way of knowing if the free books were distributed to people who were looking for a freebie and would never be back, or who don’t know you have to special order a book like Wahoo Morris, or if the majority of those stores just aren’t interested in bothering to order a book like Wahoo Morris on the off chance that any of the takers of the FCBD book will be back for more. Maybe offering a FCBD book isn’t enough to overpower Previews overload, and I still got overlooked at the back of Previews. Or maybe the Free comic just didn’t appeal to anyone.

I know the latter isn’t the case as I have made multiple sales at conventions to people who read the FCBD book and loved it.

So, the conclusion is that, according to the goals I set for the promotion, Free Comic Book Day was a resounding flop for me. I might see some long term benefits, as it probably did raise my profile somewhat, even if my book is only available in 29 comic stores worldwide.

Will I do it again? Never say never, but probably not. I think I would rather spend my money targeting my audience directly by giving out free tastes at conventions, and supplying interested retailers with freebies directly instead of the blanket shot that was FCBD.

I still think Free Comic Book Day is a good promotion for the industry as a whole, but for an individual indie publisher trying to get into more stores - not so much.

Now, I'm not too discouraged, mind you. I'm making good progress on Wahoo Morris Book 2, and I feel more informed about what does and doesn't work in marketing an indie graphic novel series.

It's time to start planning the next marketing attack.

Toronto Comic Arts Festival!

2007-08-02T07:04:00.000-07:00

I have been invited to, and will be attending TCAF: The TORONTO COMIC ARTS FESTIVAL. The details are below (and have been cut and paste from the TCAF website which is linked in the convention links on the right). I hope to see you all there!

"The Toronto Comic Arts Festival exists to promote the breadth and diversity of comics, and what is considered comics, as legitimate medium of literary and artistic worth. We seek to promote the creators of these works in their broad and diverse voices, for the betterment of the medium of comics and to reach as wide an audience as possible for them."

The third Toronto Comic Arts Festival will occur on Saturday August 18th and Sunday August 19th, 2007. It will be held in the Old Victoria College building and the Burwash Quad on the University of Toronto Campus.

The address of the Festival is:

Old Victoria College
93 Charles St. West
Toronto, ON, Canada
M5S 2C7

Show Hours:
Saturday, August 18th: 10am-7pm
Sunday, August 19th: 10am-6pm

New Wahoo Morris

2007-08-01T07:01:00.000-07:00

After many long months of radio silence, new updates of Wahoo Morris (the web comic) began today.

I’ve spent the last few months pencilling ahead, completing close to 40 pages of Wahoo Morris Book 2. I have begun inking them and should have 5 done by the end of this week, with another 3 or 4 per week through the summer. As I’m sticking to a once a week update schedule, it looks like I might actually be able to keep up with regular updates through the remainder of the year.

Now that some visible progress is being made I'll have a bit more to talk about, so I should be posting a bit more regularly to this blog.

And for a note to those who might be following this blog but aren't aware of my other site, I copy and paste most of these posts, as well as write about stuff not related to Wahoo Morris, at the blog on my personal site www.craigtaillefer.com.

Toronto Comic Con

2007-06-08T09:13:00.000-07:00

I'll be appearing at the Toronto Comic Con Saturday June 9 and Sunday June 10 at table number AA32.

Stop on by and say hi.

Free Comic Book Day Signing.

2007-05-03T07:38:00.000-07:00

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY is right around the corner, and on the day I will be setting up shop at THE COMIC BOOK SHOPPE 2 (228 Bank Street Ottawa, Ontario) from 11-5.

I will be signing copies of the WAHOO MORRIS FREE COMIC BOOK Edition 2007 to anyone who shows up. There will be plenty of copies to go around, so do drop on by, say hi, get a free copy, and get it signed.

I will be joined by 3 other local comics creators; Tom Fowler (Mad Magazine, Caper, Green Arrow), Jack Briglio (Growing Up Enchanted), and Kevin Mason (Sleeping Dragons).

So drop by THE COMIC BOOK SHOPPE 2 on Saturday May 5th to see what the Ottawa comics community has to offer.

Free Comic Book Day: 12000 copies!

2007-03-21T16:26:00.000-07:00

I received the proofs for the Wahoo Morris Free Comic Book today. Everything looks good, so I gave the go ahead to the printer to print the final comics.

I also set the final print run at 12000 copies. I know for a FCBD book that is on the low side, but it is the largest single print run I have ever done of any book, so I'm a little mind-boggled by the number.

In a few weeks those comics will be handed out free to Free Comic Book Day patrons in several countires. Here's hoping a good percentage of those readers come back for more of the story! A 5 percent return will make me more than happy with the results of the promotion.

Look for the book at participating comic shops on May 5th!

WAHOO MORRIS FREE COMIC BOOK DAY EDITION 07

2007-03-14T11:51:00.000-07:00

Free Comic Book Day this year is saturday May 5th, and WAHOO MORRIS is one of the participating comics.

WAHOO MORRIS FCBD edition ‘07 is a 32 page re-print of the original Wahoo Morris #1, and is the perfect teaser introduction to the WAHOO MORRIS tradepaperback series. There is also a 2 page Butternut Squash short and a selection of advertising from small indie publishers.

If you want to give WAHOO MORRIS a try, and would like a copy of the Free WAHOO MORRIS FCBD edtion, please let your favorite retailer know you want a copy before the end of this week.

It can be easily ordered with the order code FEB07 0048.

Advertising

2006-11-28T12:13:00.000-08:00

I was asked to conrtibute an ad to the Athena Voltaire series from Ape Entertainment. This is what I came up with...

WAHOO MORRIS book one NOW ON SALE!

2006-10-11T08:10:00.000-07:00

The first WAHOO MORRIS Trade paperback goes on sale today at finer comic stores. If you can't find one at your local shop, you can have them order you one with the Diamond Order code AUG063612. Or you can try to get a regular bookstore to order it with it's ISBN #: ISBN 0-9735161-1-9 - though I don't have a bookstore distributor yet, so I'm not sure how succsesful that will be.

OR, you can order on from me directly on-line. I have them available for purchase with a credit card at TOO HIP GOTTA GO GRAPHICS for $9.99 and free shipping until December 24.

Boxes! So many Boxes!

2006-10-05T17:02:00.000-07:00

I was inundated with boxes today! So many boxes!

At 70 books per box, the sipment came to a wopping 42 boxes... which are now occupying my living room. I'm going to have to figure out somewhere to store these things if people don't start buying them. And in six months I'm gonna get more boxes to fill up my house. And six months after that... Oi!

In the good news, the books look good. I got them just in time to ship down to SPX where they will be on sale next weekend among other goodies.

Books are back from the printer!

2006-10-04T08:40:00.000-07:00

I got my advance copies of WAHOO MORRIS Book 1 from the printer today, and I must say they look as good as I'd hoped they would. I was a little worried that the lettering would be a little too small, but it all looks good.

In a few days I should be getting the bulk of the books (about 25-35 boxes) from the printer. I'll be using comic boxes as furniture for awhile!

As soon as the book hits store shelves, I'll be putting it up for sale on the Too Hip Gotta Go Graphics website store.

Watch this space...

Proofs are in!

2006-09-13T12:40:00.000-07:00

I got the proofs back from the printer for WAHOO MORRIS Book One today and they are lookin' good, if I do say so myself!

I was a little worried as I used a different layout program this time around, but my fears were unfounded, and it looks like I'll have a nice looking book in my hands in a few weeks time.

The final cover!

2006-08-31T16:23:00.000-07:00

Here's the finished front and back cover, for better or for worse.

Off to the printer!

2006-08-31T16:15:00.000-07:00

Wahoo Morris book one is winging it's way via FedEx to the printer as we speak. I spent the morning doing some tweaks and double and triple checking the files before burning a disc and packaging up the proofs for the printer.

Currently I'm flip flopping between the excitement of seeing the book in my sweaty little hands and the panic of realizing how much money I just spent. Let's hope the orders come in at a half decent amount so the excitement can stomp on the panic over my mounting debt.

Five weeks 'til the book hits the streets!

Now I'm all excited again...

NEW SWAG: T-SHIRTS

2006-08-22T14:41:00.000-07:00

The post title says it all!

I have opened up a shop at Zazzle.com and my first offerings are two WAHOO MORRIS T-shirt designs. I can't tell you what the final quality will be like, but I've ordered a pair for my own use so I should know soon.

You can peruse the designs in the Zazzle box at the bottom of the right navigation bar.

WahooMorris_01 For Dark T's
by
toohipgottago

Get this custom t-shirt at Zazzle

Book One cover mock-up

2006-06-08T08:22:00.000-07:00

I did a quick colour mock up of the cover to the first WAHOO MORRIS trade paperback. I'll probably make a lot of changes between now and October, but I need an image for the Diamond Previews solicitation due next week... this will do for now....

Book One Cover Art

2006-06-05T16:43:00.000-07:00

Here is the line art for the cover to book one, fresh off the drawing table. I'm going to be cropping it pretty tight and moving the background figures during the colouring stage. I'll post the results as soon as they are done....

And.... a spot illustration for the back cover...

WAHOO MORRIS... the return.

2006-05-18T08:33:00.000-07:00

Bringing a twice cancelled comic series back into print is an up-hill battle, let me tell you.

I knew perfectly well that both retailers and readers would be hesitant to believe any marketing hype I might give, and frankly I can't blame them. We've all seen too many comic series from the big 2 publishers on down just stop unfinished half way through a story with no resolution. Why would WAHOO MORRIS be any different?

So, when I returned to self-publishing last summer I did so with no fanfare or marketing push. My plan was to put out an issue or two a year as a hobby until the first story arc was completed. Then, once I'd proven I wasn't going to go away, and only then, would I try to make a big marketing push to promote the second story arc and trade paperback collection of the first arc.

After publishing the new WAHOO MORRIS Volume 2 # 1 last year I hit the summer convention trail. At my last convention stop in Baltimore I was invited to join the Comic Book Industry Alliance, a forum for comic book retailers and professionals. I also made my way to Warren Ellis' the_Engine.net, a forum with a large comic creators community, around the same time. It all made for very informative reading and made me reassess my not-so-well-thought-out publishing plan.

I shortly came to the conclusion that my plan to publish one or two comics a year at a loss, until the ten issue story arc was done, was idiotic as it had no chance for growth and would leave me bankrupt in the process. I tossed around ideas that were both sustainable financially and that at least had a chance for growth, and I finally settled on a direct to trade paperback model, supported by serializing as a web comic. Considering I was already serializing as a web comic, then serializing the story again in single comic form was kind of a backwards step as the book collection had always been the end goal.

So, after much thought and many plans finalized then tossed away, the plan I've come to settle on is to serialize my story in 3 trade paperback books. The first will collect the 4 already published single issues, followed by two all-original books. I have some ideas for specials to help promote the series, and I've already got the story arc to follow the first one mapped out. We just have to get past the first hurdle, and that's book one to three.

More on that later....

WAHOO MORRIS... now updating daily.

2006-05-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

WAHOO MORRIS the Web Comic is now updating daily.

You can read it at Modern Tales or at Wahoo Morris dotCom.

Tis is a re-run of the strip from the beginning, with free archives. the entirety of the 92 and counting episodes can been read free at Wahoo Morris dotCom.

This is being done as a lead-up to the release of the first WAHOO MORRIS Trade Paperback collection. Hmmmm.... I guess I let the cat out of the bag. More on that next post....

WAHOO MORRIS: A Brief History...

2006-04-08T07:33:00.000-07:00

In July of 1998 I self published the first of three B&W issues of WAHOO MORRIS through my imprint Too Hip Gotta Go Graphics.

Being a self employed free lance artist, I was only able to raise a small amount of capital for the project so my marketing was limited. I sent out a promo pack through Diamond distributors to the top 1000 indie friendly stores and I took out a full page B&W in Diamond Previews. I really knew little about the state of the comic market at the time so when my orders came in at 1518 copies I was pretty crestfallen. I figured that I needed sales of around 3000 to make a go of it, and as I was approaching self publishing as a job and not a hobby, I very nearly decided to not publish. What I didn't know at the time was that the average self publisher was getting orders of around 500 for a first issue and as I began to meet other small press people I was quite taken aback when they congratulated me on my success.

Over the next few months I received reorders for the first issue that brought the total numbers up to 1792. I'm sure my con sales boosted that number up to close to 2000 but I never seem to manage to keep track of hand sales. Issue 2 came in at 987 copies, which is a normal drop for a second issue. Third issues usually drop again by another 30% so I was mildly encouraged when the numbers actually increased up to 1064.

Unfortunately I was not in the financial position to keep publishing a money losing comic book considering my only source of income at the time was from illustrating comic books. So, I decided to take the book to IMAGE comics hoping that the move would boost sales into the profitable range . It was decided to begin the IMAGE run by reprinting the three initial self-published issues. That is probably the decision that killed the series though. Orders for the new series came in at below the break even level. We had to drop the paper quality and raise the cover price to get it above break even. When orders for the second issue came in I was told that it was $1000 in the hole and I was requested to send in a deposit of $500. I didn't have the cash and I really didn't want to go any further into debt over a reprint of a comic I still had 1500 copies of in my basement. So I cancelled the issue and the IMAGE run of WAHOO MORRIS died after only one issue.

Disillusioned, I left the comic industry and began a career in TV animation. I kept my hand in comic from time to time doing the odd inking job and short story for an anthology or two. I even ended up acting as publisher for the all-ages series GROWING UP ENCHANTED and the trade paperback collection of SLEEPING DRAGONS.

But WAHOO MORRIS continued to nag at me. I made a few aborted attempts to restart the series but didn't get very far until I began running the old pages as a three times a week web comic. That got the attention of Joey Manley who invited me to join MODERN TALES, the professional web comics subscription site. That reinvigorated me and I began to work on new material eventually publishing WAHOO MORRIS Volume 2 #1 in July of 2005. I entered self publishing with a much different perspective than the first time around. This time I was approaching it as more of a hobby/vanity project. The plan was to publish an issue or two a year as they were done until the completion of the first story arc.

Plans change.... but that is a story for another post.