Gun Dog Comics (1988-2001)

Interesting post. As a publisher-to-be, I’m interested in what a new publisher would have to do to get on your shelves. At Gundog, that new book would have to already have a buzz, or have more than 3 or 4 people subscribing, or be done by a creator that has a track record of sales, or be based upon a property that is a known quantity. At this point, I assume that NO ONE will rack this book until we have a track record, and we’ll have to build up through time by word-of-mouth.

Would you trade shelf space for free copies? Imagine James Bond meets the X-Files meets Melrose Place. Assume a book produced to professional standards with a PG/PG-13 content. Probably a good super-heroes to indies crossover book.

Right now we’re looking at sending either ashcans or #0 issues to select retailers to give away to customers about the same time that #1 is solicited. I’m thinking a  bundle of ten 16 page ashcans that contain a complete story that is either sent through Diamond (or shipped separately) to indy-friendly retailers before you, the retailer, get to order the book. There will also be a marketing and PR campaign aimed at two different markets (retailers and consumers).

Either that or run 10 full page color ads in WIzard, but Awesome already beat me to the punch on that one…