Why not appeal to the videogame nature of the series, to draw in more gamers to the comic.
-Reprint an issue but re-color the characters in their player 2 colors (Red Chun-Li, Blue Blanka, White Haired Morrigan, etc…)
-Perhaps as an in-joke digitally add in health meters during a fight scene that lowers acordingly to when that character takes a hit.
-in that same vein write in stuff like “First strike” “Feirce Combo” or “Round One: Fight!” during a fight (of course, One would have to make clear that this would be only for that special issue and dosent happen in the regular series)
Why not re-print an issue of Just Back up stories to draw new readers in.
Produce a new Story but evry page is drawn by a differnt big name artist.
Have a section where the guest artist can talk about why they are fans of the game,
Rather than have a darkened version of the cover on the Back, Why not have the House or Guest Artist do a special Sketch of a character, either doing something cool or in casual clothing etc…
Promote to Anime Fans, lots of Anime Magazines out there, perhaps ad space at the back of GN’s. or do a cross-promotion with VIZ who owns the rights to the DarkStalkers Anime.
Why not take advantage of the Fact that there’s a SF Vs X-men Game, and Marvel VS Capcom game and do some sort of cross over with Marvel.
There are a lot of Video Game Review Shows out there today, perhaps have one of them plug the Book?
More in-store promotion posters?
Have Capcom send you over Some pre-production designs, or hard to find art wich you can showcase in the book.
The only way I’d see your series getting a wider audience is if Capcom put a little more push behind the franchise.
Tehy could release a jam-type version of “Street Fighter” for Xbox Live, featuring ALL characters, redone in a new style, and a coherent storyline.
Along with that, produce a quality “Street Fighter” OAV series that parallels the game exactly.
Tie that in with your comics and other merchandise and they can enjoy one last go-round with the franchise.
That’d cost millions, though, and I’m sure no one wants to take that risk up at Capcom.
I DO think that they should look to the “Mugen” phenomenon and actually sell a similar program. Every now and then on www.capcom.co.jp, offer a new character download or upgrade… additional stages, music… $1.99 per character, $0.99 per upgrade… Use the iTunes model…
what if UDON does a ten part anime on the comic,on whats out so far in the storyline to see how people react to the story on TV. Saturday morining cartoons is not a bad idea more kids tune in on saturday then any other days of the week. And it would help the comic. Cartoon network has a pretty good thing going with the anime shows they have and kids WB wouldn’t be a bad idea as well. It wouldn’t hurt to try something different to help the comic be come bigger then what it is.
I work at an EB, the comics would get all beat up sitting in a rack. If we got the TPB or perhaps 2-3 comics bundled in a sealed pack, they would be more presentable in a retail store like this. I dunno how well it would sell though. I think everyone who I’ve sold the NUBY controllers to knew about the comics.
How about instead of selling the comic at gamestores, advertising in one of their monthly flyers or paying to have a “bagstuffer”. A bagstuffer is a sheet or pamphlet the employees put in every bag or leave on the counter. OR… EBgames has a monthly video they let run continuously called EBTV. Advertise on that. I can get you in touch with EB marketing if you need Udoneko.
Next month would be a great time to advertise. CFE and SF Anniversary are right around the corner on XB. Fighting game fans WILL be in the stores. In the past, some games such as EA NHL and UFC Pride sent free copies to all the stores as prizes for in-store tournaments. Perhaps if Udon sent out a comic package to the stores to give out for prizes for Street Fighter tournaments.
I think maybe including a mini comic with the SOTA toys would help. Plus SOTA has to send out more of the figures at a time. Everywhere in my mall (Gamestop, Hot topic) sells out of those figures in a second.
Advertise in ToyFare magazine. Many of the Street Fighter toy collectors read this tabloid.
here’s an idea for the readers: If you really like the comic, buy all the covers. You are collecting something worthwhile, and supporting a great comic. I buy both covers and the foil every month (and all the Darkstalkers), but I’m sure there’s alot of you out there buying just one issue. I’d buy 2 of each cover if I knew it would ensure the comic will continue, but buying every cover for now is the least I can do to support the scene! They obviously need help, do your part!
It’s probably been said already, but you should advertise in all major gaming magazines, as well as game websites, like GameSpot.
Also, you could try starting up a subscription service, just like how it’s done with Archie comics. It’s pretty difficult finding a copy of SF in my area (for some reason, my local comic book store orders advance copies for certain people and not for the general public). Availability is definitely a concern, but I guess that would improve once the comic gets more exposure.
As for the price of the comic, the cost is what it is because of the limited print run. It’s all basic economics: if the supply is short, price goes up to cover the cost of production.
Udon should print and sell extra issues of the comic on e-bay if the retarded comic book stores won’t order enough. getting pissed at his stores for never having the comic
That sounds a little too extreme for readers to take the comic seriously. The story element will be lost.
Anyway, I’m very pleased to have read such extensive and clever ideas. Indeed, I think Udon need to promote themselves more by getting into video game stores and getting backup from Capcom whose series they’ve bolstered through the comics. Capcom owes them that much. Even a team-up with Marvel doesn’t sound so crazy. It would help sales and give Udon a chance to do a Marvel VS. Capcom comic. (Yay, Ruby Heart! )
I also think Udon need to take a chance to supply more issues and let store owners know that they’re moving into mass production. Currently, Udon believes that their glorious comics are underselling. So what do you do in that situation? Produce less to make supply meet demand, or produce more with some promotion to try and increase demand? Let’s say they produce less. Next month, demand will inevitably be less due to less issues being produced, so Udon continues to decrease their supply further. This continues on and on and on until finally it hits Udon that they’re not selling enough issues to keep the company alive, and suddenly they find themselves in the same spot that Dreamwave is in.
I think I’ve made my point and all the loyal fans have provided enough suggestions to help Udon in their plight. Now it’s up to them to make the decision to take action.
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