Above, the cover of the current issue of G-FAN.G-FAN: 2 Reasons To Subscribe
by Armand Vaquer
The recent policy changes involving Diamond Comic Distributors have many small-press publishers reeling as the company now has a new minimum order requirement before they will continue distributing those publications. In view of this article from Publisher's Weekly about Diamond's owner, Stephen Geppi, it would be wise to subscribe to G-FAN. Diamond distributes G-FAN.
G-FAN is not in any danger of being dropped by Diamond as it consistently far exceeds the minimum requirements of Diamond. But, should Diamond go under due to Geppi's legal troubles, that would put a major crimp of getting G-FAN out to dealers. G-FAN is currently investigating other distributors in case the need arises.
Besides the above matter, subscribing will also save you some money. A one-year scription to G-FAN is only $20.00 (U.S. and Canada) for four quarterly issues. The cover price is $5.95. By buying at a dealer, you would have to pay that ($5.95 x 4 = $23.80) and sales tax. Minus sales tax, you are already saving $.95 per issue or $3.80 per year. I know that isn't a huge chunk of money, but in these economic times, saving here and there does add up with more money left in your wallet.
You can subscribe to G-FAN through the official website at G-FAN.com or you can send a check or money order for $20.00 (U.S. and Canada) and payable to:
Daikaiju Enterprises, Ltd.
530 Willow Cres
Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada R5G 2A3
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I've been meaning to get a subscription for a while. Thanks for finally giving me enough reason to finally do it.
ReplyDeleteIn response to your article, I don't think there is a reason for G-Fan anymore. And before you call me a hater, I've been collecting this magazine since issue 9 and have every one since then. However, these days, I get more information and details from RoboJapan.com or SciFiJapan.com. I get my kaiju art fix from here, Google or ConceptArt. A lot of things that made G-Fan special are gone, the fan directory, the calendar, the fan art issue, not to mention most of the fan flicks get zero to no mention (Godzilla vs the Kaiju Killer, The Daikaiju Project: GFantis", etc) and Godzilla 3D are stuck in limbo.
ReplyDeleteThe best comparison is Wizard Magazine. 5-6 years it covered mainstream and independent comics equally. Now it just covers the big 2 with a little attention given to Image, Devil's Due, Dark Horse and IDW. So right there, you've alienated a large portion of comic readers. Combine that with the fact that most of the spoilers, character sketches, reviews and interviews can be found online before the latest issue comes out at superherohype, comic book reviews, newsarama and comics continuum, it defeats the purpose of even buying the magazine.
Personally I miss "Kaiju-Fan" since it covered EVERYTHING kaiju-related. So if I could improve G-Fan I'd cancel it after #100 and revamp it into K-Fan. Or just go digital, maybe add a podcast.
While there's no doubt the Internet is the vehicle to get fast news and, on occasion, articles on kaiju topics, they still can't beat a tangible magazine that one can old in their hands.
ReplyDeletePlus, websites, like magazines, come and go. When a website disappears, so does its contents. When a magazine ceases publication, you still can refer to back issues until you're pushing up daisies.
Even if a website is still around years from now, unless they have the means to permanantly archive past articles, you're sunk if they can't.
Magazines have a tradition of providing what their readership wants. If there's a topic or feature that you want to see in it, write to the editor.
A lot of people these days are either too busy or just want "instant gratification" to bother with magazines. That's always been the case and always will.