“And you might cry for some time. You Still don’t know it…”
What’s this?
Crikey. It looks like a second edition. The press release from the mighty fingers of Indestructible Joe Keatinge explains all…
Mckelvie And Gillen’s Phonogram 2 Spins A Sell Out
Thursday, December 18, 2008 - Barely a week after release, artist Jamie McKelive and writer Kieron Gillen’s music-fueled PHONOGRAM 2: THE SINGLES CLUB #1 has sold out at a distribution-level with a second printing on the way.
“Clearly, we’re overjoyed,” Gillen said. “When you do a book as personal and warped as PHONOGRAM, you’re always slightly worried that no-one else will care. To have it come out, review phenomenally and actually sell out in a week… well, short of Kenickie reforming or Jamie getting a magical eraser which turns Bristol board into gold, it’s about as good as it gets. We’d go on a tour across the world to shake the hand of everyone who rushed out to buy the comic, but we’ve got a comic series to finish. Hopefully something as sappy as ‘Thank you’ will do instead.”
PHONOGRAM 2: THE SINGLES CLUB #1’s success follows the first series’ multiple sell-outs and phenomenal critical reception. However, Gillen and McKelvie took a very different approach from PHONOGRAM VOL. 1: RUE BRITTANIA by not only telling a self-contained story in each issue, but also choosing to have the series in color for the very first time. Additionally, they’re joined each and every issue with back up stories featuring special guests like LOVE THE WAY YOU LOVE’s Marc Ellerby and THE WITCHING’s Leigh Gallagher.
PHONOGRAM 2 #1 2nd Printing, a 32-page full color comic book for $3.50, will be in stores soon. PHONOGRAM VOL. 1: RUE BRITTANIA (JAN071929), a 152-page black and white tradepaperback for $14.99, is available now!
So thanks for everyone who’s got a copy. As the press release says, there will be the lovely blue edition shops shortly. Definitely push your shop if you want one - I strongly suspect even if this sells out, we won’t be able to to afford a third print run.
There’s lots more Phonogram news, but I’ll save for a larger post anon. I’m posting stuff as it arrives on the forum, if you need it sharpish. Which you do. Yes.
“There’s a whole floor before us, just for you and me…”
So, after months of indeterminable rambling, we finally release. The first issue of PHONOGRAM: THE SINGLES CLUB is available in North America right now. It’s out in the UK tomorrow. It looks like the fine cover above. You can buy it in a comic shop. If your comic shop doesn’t have a copy, do mention it to the retailer, and they’ll be able to order it for you. No, really.
Oh - here’s the first set of reviews:
Ifanboy: “…there are comic titles over the years like Strangers in Paradise, and Stray Bullets hat exemplify the magic that can be produced within the comic book medium for unique and different reasons. Phonogram clearly belongs in that grouping and is my most recent example of just how much fun comic books can be…”
Comic Book Resources: ““Phonogram 2” ultimately represents a huge leap forward for both Gillen and McKelvie’s craft and the audience the series is capable of reaching.”
Comics Daily: “There’s as much wit and imagination in a Gillen/McKelvie collaboration as you’ll find in present day comics, and for that alone they demand to be read.”
Newsarama, Best Shots: “Three varied stories, three incredible artists, loads of metaphor and room for interpretation, cool outer stories with cooler underlying themes all make one great comic book. This is good comics, and a must buy today.”
Bust Magazine blog: :”It bottles the feeling of your first (or most recent) crush and the glow of the dancefloor and that power you get when you’re just buzzed enough to let go and you know everyone’s watching you. Whether you like comics or not, I promise you’ll love it. You want this comic. Really.”
Thirteen Minutes: “In a week where every book I bought was $3.50, making what should have been a $9 week closer to a $12 week, this is worth pointing out. Not only is Phonogram dripping with unique creative voice, but I don’t feel cheated by the price.” [Rating A]
We’re also having a little launch thing tomorrow night. The details are on facebook here, but basically it’s from 7pm at the The Prince Arthur near Euston, which you can see on this map here.
Do go to the forum and tell us what you make of it.
“There’s no need for talking in what we’re about to do…”
Issue 1 will be out this week, barring total shipping-disaster. Expecting some reviews shortly, and we’ll be posting a reminder and similar. We have copies, and they’re deeply lovely.
However, a quick thing. If you haven’t actually reserved or pre-ordered a copy of 2.1, you may want to give your shop a call and ask them to keep one for you. Pre-orders were less than we were hoping - not terrible or anything, but about the same of the first issue last series. And since the first issue sold out and went through a second printing, we’ve shifted over 10K trades, it’s in colour and we’ve done so much to make the singles be a totally unique thing this time around, that’s a bit of a disappointment. C’est la vie.
Your shop should be able to order more at least initially - we over-printed a lot - but I suspect what there is out there will sell out quickly. So well worth staking claim.
“Gimme something illicit - like it’ll get you in trouble, or something. And you know… pick it UP…”
Issue 4’s cover. Will be tweaked a fair bit before launch, we suspect. But until then: Seth Bingo and the Silent girl take the stage.
