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Thank FOC It's Black Friday #4

Published Fri, 23 Nov 2018 10:30:07 -0600

Last updated Fri, 23 Nov 2018 11:11:22 -0600

Welcome to Thank FOC It's Friday, a weekly mailing list, similar to The Daily LITG, but every Friday and planned to coincide and cover the demands of Final Order Cut Off. The date when retailers have a last chance to amend their advance orders for comic books without penalty. A last chance for publishers to promote books while orders can still be added. And a time for credits to be amends, new covers to be revealed and a final push given. This is an attempt to sift through them all and find the most relevant items.

You can sign up here or with the form at the bottom.

Now, many retailers will know all this. But some things may slip through even the most diligent retailer's attention. And if nothing else, it may be useful to try for a one-stop shop that may start some thoughts, even if it doesn't finish them.

FOC'ing this week, a new Witcher series #1, of Flesh and Fame from Dark Horse.

DC Comics has Aquaman #43, new Kelly Sue DeConnick and Robson Rocha arc, semi-returnable. There's the launch of Freedom Fighters #1, the collection of Mister Miracle, the twenty-fifth issue of Teen Titans.

While Jim Lee is moonlighting with a DC Legends Artifact Edition for IDW. Where you will also find League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Tempest Book 3. Soon there will be no more… and no Moore…

Hardcore #1 by Andy Diggle, Alessandro Vitti and Adriano Lucas is launching from Image – a revival of the idea created by Robert Kirkman and Marc Silvestri. Worth checking out?

How did Middlewest #1 do for you? #2 is FOCing now. Same with Firefly #2. And James Bond 007 #2. And Life Is Strange #2. Also Grant Morrison and Dan Mora return to Klaus And The Crying Snowman. Christmas innit? Just don't expect Raymond Briggs or Alec Jones.

In fact, Boom has a bevvy of open-order Virgin Art FOC covers.

Black Badge #5 by David Lapman. Bone Parish #5 by Tyler Crook. Firefly #2 by Diego Galindo.

While Klaus And The Crying Snowman has two, colour by Humberto Ramos and blck-and-white at : of the colour one.While Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #34 now includes an open-to-order FOC Variant by Miguel Mercado.

There are other publishers aside from Boom though.

Image has a FOC cover for Man-Eaters by Lia Miternique – but no idea what it is. Which is slack of them.

The new launch of Betty & Veronica #1 is also FOCing, as is the new launch of Tank Girl's first ongoing series.

Oh and Valiant have the launch of Livewire #1. Which will, again have a glass variant cover. But a bit different from the last one for Bloodshot: Rising Spirit #1. It will include a special UV ink printing process that will allow the cover to virtually glow under black light. Stores get one copy for every 250 they order. Damn.

The Livewire #1-#8 Pre-Order Edition Bundle is also getting FOC'd and will include exclusive covers – beginning with Paulina Ganucheau (The Unbelievable Gwenpool) – that can't be found anywhere else.

Finally getting FOC'd? The Aquaman Bathtime Book. Come on now, who isn't stocking this beauty? AUG181838 to hunt it down…

So what else has been happening? Well Bleeding Cool has been running flyers for comic book stores for Black Friday. We'll do the same for any Christmas/New Year sales your store has planned, as well as Free Comic Book Day. Get in touch.

Rod Lamberti had lots to be thankful for. This Idaho store opened especially for a Thanksgiving meal for customers. And this London store went all in…

Orders for the first three issues of Batman & The Outsiders and the final three issues of Copperhead have been cancelled – for now. Look for resolicitation in 2019. But Sideways is coming to an end.

A useful reminder to keep an eye on what kids are picking up in your store.

Here's a Tom King Batman theory to debate with your customers…while they get used to the comic switching issues around. At least the issue numbers go in the right direction, unlike Avengers.

Batman Who Laughs is scooping up all the advance reorders. Did you get yours in?

Aquaman #43 is semi-returnable. DC is advertising in front of movies now. Doomsday Clock, Batman Damned and Shazam get later.

Mark Millar and Simone Bianchi are launching a new Millarworld comic that isn't Lobo, honest. But aren't talking about it anywhere.

There are certain people you should be able to handsell this week's issue of Star Wars to. And did all your Sabrina fans see this week's issue of Archie #700? How about your Karen Page fans and Marvel Knights 20th? And this was a heartfelt appeal for 24 Panels.

You can also show off Goddess Mode. It looks and reads well from the get go. As is this Powers Of A Girl Marvel coffee table book.

And you think it's bad having to send back copies of Dead Rabbit? Be grateful you are not Forbidden Planet in New York. Is there any kind og protection for a comic store getting hit with something like that? How many cease and desist letters do you get?

Comic stores open, comic stores close… for a bit.

And are you getting your Conan bookmarks?

What's on your FOC?