I just received a press release from DC regarding the current situation on Villains Month. I'll share it with you in full in a moment, but I just want to let you know that I have had the allocations for Proud Lion. We are getting most of our 3D cover orders filled, so for most of the customers who got their orders in by the deadline, you'll be getting the 3D covers.
The two worst affected titles are Batman The Dark Knight #23.1 Ventriloquist and Justice League #23.3 Dial E. There are also some minor shortages on Earth 2 #15.1 Desaad, Justice League Of America #7.1 Deadshot, Earth 2 #15.2 Solomon Grundy, Justice League #23.2 Lobo, Swamp Thing #23.1 Arcane, Batman The Dark Knight #23.4 Jokers Daughter and Wonder Woman #23.2 First Born. Orders will be filled with 3D stock on a first come, first served basis based on when you got your orders into me.
For the people who didn't get back to me, we generated orders for you based on your normal pull lists and these will now be filled with any 3D stock we have left after filling the reservations form those who did order on time, then 2D covers to make up the rest. I'm sorry, it's simply the fairest way to do it in my opinion. If there are any issues with this, please get in touch.
The lovely customers who ordered took me up on the offer to get the full set, plus a free copy of Forever Evil #1 at the bundle price will be receiving their bundle sets (barring any unforeseen complications) which is great news considering they've already paid deposits!
The 2D covers are a dollar cheaper, so if you'd like to save some money and voluntarily downgrade your order please drop me a line at shop@proudlion.co.uk. You'll be potentially freeing up 3D stock for other customers who may really want them, so it'll be appreciated by more than just your wallet!
If you have any queries, concerns or questions, please email me, give me a call or pop in. We're behind schedule on a few things because of this, but all the deliveries and reservations have continued unaffected and I'm hoping to get two comics reviews up from Matt Puddy later today (one may go live tomorrow morning though). There's some exciting new developments coming soon too, so watch this space.
Now without further ado, here's that press release from DC. I'm presenting it without any additional commentary on my part, save for this small point.
There's been no apology from DC to either
us as retailers or yourselves as their customers.
Just saying.
August 15, 2013
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VILLAINS MONTH 3-D MOTION COMPLETE SET TO BE RESOLICITED
To give retailers enough time to collect orders from their customers we will resolicit the VILLAINS MONTH 3-D MOTION COMPLETE SET in the October Previews to arrive in stores on February 12, 2014. Orders placed under the code JUN138292 will be cancelled.
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VILLAINS MONTH 3-D MOTION COVER ALLOCATION FAQ v2.0
1. What portion of my orders for the Villains Month 3-D Motion Covers will I receive on each title?
The allocations are not based on your orders for the Villains Month 3-D Motion Covers. Instead, your allocations are based on an average of your orders of each Villains Month titles base title over the past few months. Allocations will range from approximately 50% fill to nearly 100% fill on different titles.
2. So my initial orders or FOC orders or order advances… none of these were used?
Correct. Its also why we did not offer the subsequent weeks of 3-D Motion Covers on FOC. We considered letting these issues go through on FOC, but due to the allocations there was no way you would receive your full orders on these titles. It seemed unfair to have retailers go to the trouble of going through the process where it would not impact the outcome. We would rather have you focus on planning your strategy for the allocations, your orders on the 2-D Standard Editions and on the Complete Set.
3. When will I know my allocated numbers?
The allocation lists for DCs Villains Month 3-D Motion Cover issues are available now please contact your Diamond Customer service for full details.
4. Okay. I have the allocation list. I want to cut my orders on the Villains Month 3-D Motion Cover issues.
If you wish to decrease your orders on any of the 3-D motion cover issues, please contact your Diamond Customer Service Representative or DC Sales Representative. All decreases must be received by Friday, August 23.
5. Why didnt DC print at least as many copies of each of the 3-D motion cover issues as they do on the regular monthly series?
Orders greatly exceeded DCEs expectations. We did not anticipate that the demand for these covers would be as large or larger than the demand for each monthly series. The 3-D motion covers also required a much longer production time than normal covers, so we had to set print runs on these issues out of cycle. As more retailers saw sample copies, orders continued to build beyond the print runs we had set. There was also a physical limit to how many copies we could print due to availability of the special cover stock.
6. Will the 2-D Standard Edition issues be made returnable?
Yes, they will be fully returnable, with the returns window starting in late October, around the time when you will be ordering the complete pack. They will also appear on FOC, you can adjust your orders as you see fit.
7. I need more 3-D covers!
To meet that demand, well be offering a full solicitation of the $199.99 Villains Month: 3-D Villains Pack. (The rush solicit orders have been cancelled.) The $199.99 Villains Month: 3-D Villains Pack will be offered in Previews #301, the October catalog. These orders will lock immediately on the order due date, without an FOC listing. The target in-store date for the $199.99 Villains Month: 3-D Villains Pack is 2/12/2014. The complete sets are non-returnable. We expect to fill 100% of the orders received by order due date for the complete set. In order to make this deadline, we will not be able to offer individual titles for ordering. Were offering these reprint sets in part to assist retailers who presold full sets. These are not intended to replace the September Villains Month 3-D motion cover issues. You are welcome to sell them as complete sets or to break them up to sell the issues individually.
8. Are there copies of the 3-D motion cover issues in reserve to cover damages?
Yes, but a substantially smaller percentage than usual. Our goal will be to get as many copies out to you as possible. Where no replacement copies remain, you will receive a credit.
9. Will there be reorders available for the Standard Edition covers?
Yes, we anticipate having copies available for reorder.
DC ENTERTAINMENT
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If you'd like me to pass on any messages directly to DC, please feel free to comment below and note your missive accordingly. I'll make sure it reaches someone at DC Comics.
Ben Fardon is running on fumes.
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