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STEAMFUNK, ARMADILLOS, AND HOLMES-OH MY! ALL PULP EBOOK BEST SELLER LIST FOR MARCH 1, 2013

  • News
  • March 1, 2013

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Welcome to All Pulp’s New Pulp EBook Best Seller List, inspired by the work of Barry Reese! Before we get to what you’re all waiting for, here are the rules by which this little list comes together.

1) This list only tracks Kindle sales through AMAZON. It does not keep track of sales through Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, or anything else!

2) This list only tracks DIGITAL sales. Exactly how Amazon calculates these things is mostly a trade secret and they vary wildly from day to day. If I checked this tomorrow, the list could be very different. This list reflects sales ranks as of Friday morning, March 1, 2013. 


3) In order to keep the focus on new releases, eligible works must have been published within the last three months. So, since this list is being done on March 1, 2013, we are only looking at books published since November 29, 2012 (Yeah, February sort of makes the monthly thing a bit different.). Please keep that in mind before complaining that Title X is not listed. Also, keep in mind that for the most part, we are tracking sales from smaller and mid level press publishers who actively publish New Pulp material. We won’t generally track sales from Simon and Schuster or places like that — they have the New York Times Bestseller List for that. If one of the major publishers starts doing The Shadow or something, we’ll track that, but some publishers will not be listed here in order to keep the focus on the publishers actively working to produce and promote New Pulp.

4)   
Like the name suggests, we’re tracking “New” pulp —not sales rankings for reprints of classic material. In order for something to qualify for this list, it has to be at least 50% new material that has not been printed in book form before.


5) We are human. If you are aware of a title that should be listed below (keeping in mind all the rules above), please let us know and we will make sure to remedy the situation.


6) This information is garnered mostly from All Pulp, New Pulp, the Pulp Factory mailing list and a few other sites. If you think we might miss your release, let us know in advance — drop All Pulp a line and tell us when it’s being released.

Without further ado, here’s the completely and totally unofficial New Pulp Ebook Bestseller List as of right now (title, then publisher, then release date, then sales rank):

1) The Cestus Concern by Mat Nastos (Nifty Entertainment, December 28,2012) 4,328

2) Fourteen Western Stories by Lloyd Fonvielle (Lloyd Fonvielle, December 18, 2012) – 23,982

3) Steamfunk by Various (MVMedia, February 20, 2013) – 51,839

4) Sherlock Holmes, Consulting Detective, Volume 4 by Various (Airship 27 Productions, January 19, 2013) – 52,161

5) Finn’s Golem by Gregg Taylor (Autogyro, January 10, 2013) -60,014

6) Nefertiti’s Heart by A. W. Exley (Curiosity Quills Press, February 13, 2013) – 66,807

7) The Detective, The Woman and the Winking Tree byAmy Thomas (MX Publishing, January 22, 2013) – 68,731

8) Tier Zero by Henry Brown (Virtual Pulp, January 13, 2013) – 112,275

9) Prohibition by Terrence McCauley (Airship 27 Productions, December 15, 2012) – 112,352

10) City of Smoke and Mirrors by Nick C. Piers (Pro Se Productions, February 21, 2013) – 129,314

Just missing the list were Ghost Boy by Various, (Airship 27 Productions, February 16, 2013) 129,421 and Sherlock  Holmes and Young Winston: The Jubilee Plot by Mike Hogan (MX Publishing, February 18, 2013) – 186,860.

A little bit of flow and motion within this week’s list.  Two titles break into the top ten, while Holmes continues to keep a steady foothold.  The list is a tad softer this week, but not tremendously so.  Upcoming releases from various companies make the next few weeks for this list and the print list as well interesting mysteries of what is to come.

Airship 27 Productions chalks up two in the Best Seller List this week and Nifty Entertainment, Autogyro, MVMedia, Pro Se Productions, MX Publishing, Virtual Pulp, Curiosity Quills Press, and Lloyd Fonvielle all make it with one title each.   Enjoy your weekend and don’t forget that All Pulp recommends you take your weekly dose of this list with a grain of salt!

Martha Thomases Makes Her Own Apologies

thomases-art-130301-8566492According to this story, which is a rumor on a rumor-mongering site (which I love!), Dan DiDio recently apologized to DC creative talent at an editorial retreat. He admitted that there had been problems in the communication between editorial and talent, including editorial demanding changes to work that had already been approved.

Since, on my other soapbox, I have recently complained that men rarely apologize, it feels like I should do something to acknowledge this.

I should make my own apologies.

For the purposes of this column, we’re going to limit my apologies to the field of comics. Even the Internet doesn’t have enough space for everything else.

  1. Kevin Smith, I’m sorry it feels like I’m stalking you. About 20 years ago, we met at an exhibit of original comic book art. I liked Clerks. Later, when your movies made more money, I would point to you at conventions and tell people I knew you. That must have been creepy for you, some strange old woman pointing and staring.
  2. And, while I don’t know Dave Sim (nor do I wish to), I’m sorry that Friends of Lulu contributed to pushing him over the edge. I don’t think it will make him feel any better to know that we considered neither him nor his feelings one little bit.

  3. When I would meet booksellers at Book Expo America who said they didn’t read comics because they didn’t like superheroes, I would ask them to tell me a movie they liked, and then recommend the appropriate title for them. This is fine in a sales environment, but not great at parties in my real life. I’m so sorry, and completely understand why you walked away as quickly as you could, Patti Smith. Still, I thing you would like Rogan Gosh.

  4. At the same time, there are books that were everything I ever wanted between two covers, like Leave It to Chance, and, despite buying at least 20 copies of each issue to give away, plus multiple copies of the trade, I did not do enough to keep them alive. I wish it was still around so I could do more to make amends.

  5. Despite Alan Moore’s objections to the projects even existing, I went to see From Hell, V for Vendetta and Watchmen in movie theaters. And, to varying degrees, liked them. I feel like I’ve betrayed one of my favorite writers.

  6. And, by going to see Watchman, I inadvertently encouraged Zach Snyder. His sense of production design is admirable, but he has no sense of pacing, much less, you know, character or story. I tremble in fear about what he’s going to do to Superman.

  7. Neil Gaiman always drew a long line when he was signing things at the DC booth during convention season, even way back in the 1990s. It was often my job to be “the bitch at the end of the line,” meaning I had to tell people that there would be no more books signed. It was necessary so Neil could do other things besides sign books (eat, pee, sleep), so I’m not sorry that I was looking out for him. Rather, I’m sorry I performed my duties with so much glee.

  8. And while we’re on the subject, it was my fault, and I regret that I caused you such anxiety, Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean, when I didn’t provide adequate information to you or your driver to get to that morning interview on the FX Network back when DC published Mr. Punch. I’m sure it was really nerve-wracking to be driving around Manhattan at six in the morning, lost. On the other hand, Tom Bergeron was really nice. And a fanboy.

  9. The biggest story of my time at DC was the Death of Superman. People remember that he died, then came back. They don’t remember that the narrative point was the next storyline, “World Without a Superman.” DC wanted to show how important Superman was, and how we responded to his absence. And now they’ve killed off Damien Wayne, just when I was starting to like him. This is no legacy for a pacifist.

  10. When Image Comics started, I admired their defense of creator rights, but didn’t particularly like the books they published at the time. As a result, I didn’t pay enough attention to their work as the company matured. I’ve missed a lot of good stuff, and it’s my own damn fault. Please forgive me, and please keep releasing complete runs digitally so I can catch up.

SATURDAY: Marc Alan Fishman On Technobabble

SUNDAY: John Ostrander On Revamp

 

THE MASK OF THE RED PANDA DEBUTS!

  • Uncategorized
  • February 28, 2013

THE MASK OF THE RED PANDA #1 the first issue (of 3) of New Pulp Creator and all around Creative Genius Gregg Taylor’s comic based on his Red Panda series is available right now from Comixology.

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http://www.comixology.com/Mask-of-Red-Panda-1/digital-comic/DIG003156/?app=1

Racketeers, gangsters, the occasional power-mad supervillain— all have fallen before the iron resolve of the city’s masked protectors. But when forces with powers from beyond this world threaten to bring their war to the streets of Depression-era Toronto, can even the Red Panda prevent disaster? Bringing to life characters from The Red Panda Adventures, Decoder Ring Theatre’s award-winning radio drama series, Mask of the Red Panda is pulse-pounding pulp perfection for all those who love the classic two-fisted adventures of the golden age of radio, classic movie serials and the hero pulps. – See more at: http://www.comixology.com/Mask-of-Red-Panda-1/digital-comic/DIG003156/?app=1#sthash.wWyRkBam.dpuf

32 pages of story for $0.99.  Art by Dean Kotz and published by MonkeyBrain Comics.  

Indie Bookstores File Lawsuit Vs. Amazon & Publishers Over DRM

  • News
  • February 28, 2013

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/20/drm-lawsuit-independent-bookstores-amazon_n_2727519.html

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Three independent bookstores are taking Amazon and the so-called Big Six publishers (Random House, Penguin, Hachette, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Macmillan) to court in an attempt to level the playing field for book retailers. If they’re successful, the lawsuit could completely change how ebooks are sold– and could have big implications for Comixology.

Disney’s Planes Announces Dane Cook as Lead Voice

  • Uncategorized
  • February 28, 2013

BURBANK, Calif. (February 28, 2013) – Dane Cook has been tapped to voice the lead character Dusty, a plane with high hopes in Disney’s Planes. Inspired by the world of Cars and directed by Disneytoon Studios veteran and aviation enthusiast Klay Hall (King of the Hill, The Simpsons), Disney’s Planes is an action-packed 3D animated comedy adventure about Dusty’s dream of competing as a high-flying air racer—and his decidedly unfortunate fear of heights. The film takes off in theaters in 3D on Aug. 9, 2013.

“Dane Cook brings unmatched charisma and brilliant comedic timing and instincts to the character,” said Hall. “He gives Dusty a great edge.”

Cook is well known for his appearances on Comedy Central and HBO specials, and for his successful comedy albums. He recently guest starred on Louie opposite Louie C.K., and his film credits include starring roles in a host of films, including My Best Friend’s Girl opposite Kate Hudson, Dan In Real Life opposite Steve Carell, and Mr. Brooks opposite Kevin Costner. The actor/comedian just signed a deal with NBC Entertainment and Universal Television to develop a new project starring Cook.

The all-new story offers an exciting cast of characters and centers on Dusty’s high-flying dream. But Dusty’s not exactly built for racing, so he turns to a seasoned naval aviator who helps Dusty qualify to take on the defending champ of the race circuit. Dusty’s courage is put to the ultimate test as he aims to reach heights he never dreamed possible, giving a spellbound world the inspiration to soar. The film is produced by Traci Balthazor-Flynn and executive produced by John Lasseter.

Randall Munroe (@xkcd) for Secretary of Energy?

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/appoint-randall-munroe-xkcd-be-new-secretary-energy-less-straw-men-more-stick-figures/DKGRQ0qh?utm_source=wh.gov&utm_medium=shorturl&utm_campaign=shorturl

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The White House has a petition to appoint Randall Munroe, creator of xkcd, to be the new Secretary of Energy. The petition explains that Randall Munroe has displayed the ability to explain complex topics in a wry, easily digestible fashion to millions of people 3 days/week in his web comic. As Secretary of Energy, he will be able to have an even larger platform for this purpose, and probably more importantly, the ear of the President of the United States.

Better hurry, though– the petition ends March 3 and he needs 99,000 more signatures.

Kelly Sue DeConnick Explains Who’s To Blame For Lack Of Female Superheroes

http://badassdigest.com/2013/02/26/marvel-comics-writer-explains-whos-to-blame-for-lack-of-female-superheroes/

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Spoiler: it’s you. And the publishers, because they don’t make it easy for new readers.

Spielberg Helps Launch USC Shoah Foundation’s IWitness Video Challenge

Before Lincoln, Steven Spielberg has explored other vital periods of history, stunning the world with his adaptation of Schindler’s List. That film is coming out next month in a 20th Anniversary Limited Edition and yesterday, the director announced the launch of the  USC Shoah Foundation’s IWitness Video Challenge.

“I implore educators not to allow the Holocaust to be a footnote in history, please teach this in your schools. There are 350,000 experts who just want to be useful for the remainder of their lives.  Please listen to the words and the echoes and the ghosts and please teach this in your schools.”

– Steven Spielberg

Here’s the official release; Steven Spielberg, USC Shoah Foundation Executive Director Dr. Stephen Smith and USC Shoah Foundation Director of Education Dr. Kori Street commemorated the Schindler’s List 20th Anniversary Limited Edition Blu-ray™ release with the global launch of the USC Shoah Foundation’s IWitness Video Challenge on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at The Chandler School in Pasadena, CA. They were joined by middle and high school students who had participated in the program while in Beta.

IWitness Video Challenge is an online program from the USC Shoah Foundation – The Institute for Visual History and Education aimed at middle and high school students that brings thousands of taped testimonies of Holocaust survivors into the classroom for guided exploration, connecting kids with the past while engaging them in the present.  For more information, please visit http://iwitness.usc.edu

Inspired by the experience of making Schindler’s List, Steven Spielberg established the USC Shoah Foundation in 1994 to videotape interviews with survivors and other witnesses of the Holocaust. Since the Foundation’s inception, nearly 52,000 eyewitness testimonies have been recorded in 56 countries and in 32 languages. Today the Institute is committed to teaching with testimony, endeavoring to make the power of each story accessible to students, educators, scholars, and the general public on every continent. A powerful reminder of the heroism and humanity of those willing to stand up against intolerance, Schindler’s List will be available for the first time on Blu-ray™ on March 5, 2013.  Digitally restored in high-definition from the original film negative, the Blu-ray™ release will expose the film to a whole new generation of viewers.

Dennis O’Neil: Fredric Wertham, Superhero?

  • Uncategorized
  • February 28, 2013

oneil-art-130328-3448174Did Fredric Wertham imitate superheroes? And if so, did he realize that he was doing it?

But let’s back up and give you latecomers an establishing shot or two. Way back in the early 50s, Dr. Wertham, a New York City psychiatrist, wrote a book provocatively titled Seduction of the Innocent which claimed to use science to demonstrate that comic books were corrupting the nation’s youth. Comics were already being attacked by editorial writers and at about the same time as the book’s publication, a senator named Estes Kefauver was convening hearings to investigate the same charge. The result of all this accusing was twofold: comics publishers went out of business leaving over 800 people suddenly unemployed, and the ragtag remnants of the business created The Comics Code Authority to censor their publications and thus placate the witch hunters. The comic book enterprise went into sharp decline, both financially and artistically until the late 50s, when Julius Schwartz and Stan Lee reinvented the superhero genre.

A sorry story. But ancient history. Well, not quite. Dr. Wertham was back in the news last week. According to the New York Times, Carol L. Tilley of the University of Illinois, examined Wertham’s papers and found numerous examples of research that were “manipulated, overstated, compromised and fabricated.”

Wow. And ouch. Not only did the doctor help put hundreds of decent folk out of work and, arguably, cripple an American art form, but he cooked the books to do it. There have been, for decades, doubts about Wertham’s methods, perhaps the most prevalent of which was that he ignored the validity of control groups. (Okay, goes the narrative, the doc found a hundred young lawbreakers who read comics, but he disregarded the thousands of Eagle Scouts who were also comics readers.) But until now, nobody has accused him of outright lying

Apparently he did lie.

I wonder why. Did he find these entertainments so unutterably vulgar that he was able to convince himself that they were also malign? Was he a zealot who honestly believed that these comic books were pernicious! and corrupt! and evil! and were obliterating the decency of American youth? And did he feel that he was justified in using any means available to quell this menace? That seems to be how zealots like to think.

Or was he a superhero? Consider: the bad guys in superhero stories may blather about ruling the world or getting rich or attaining revenge or, like zealots, proving that they’re right, but the real reason they exist is to give the hero a chance to show his stuff. We like heroes, and we like them to do magnificent deeds, and villains provide the circumstances for superheroic action.  So, Dr. Wertham: did he see, in the anti-comic book excitement, a chance to get famous and cement his reputation and maybe grab a royalty check? Were comics his supervillains, giving him his big opportunity? He was already respected and, on the whole, he seemed to be a pretty decent guy, but maybe he had his share of hidden demons.

I don’t know. I’ll probably never know, and neither will you. But we might find a lesson in the Wertham saga: don’t trust authority figures. I hope that isn’t news to you.

FRIDAY: Martha Thomases

SATURDAY: Marc Alan Fishman

 

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