I'm a frequent reader, but I've never been to the forums. I would hope that somebody in charge reads this...
I put money down the book the minute it went up for pre-order, and I just got my copy yesterday.

First of, I love the comic, and read it faithfully. I bought the book to show my support for the creators (And trust me, I don't buy something if it's not absolutely worth my time and hard earned money).

Before going ahead, I'd like to state for the record that I own a print shop, and we've been doing books for the last 4 years, so I do know what I'm talking about.

The case binding is well done, the signatures (parent sheets) are well folded and trimmed. The printing is very well executed, great density and in perfect registration (If the LPI were a bit higher it would be gorgeous). I'm not too crazy about the aqueous varnish (Dull varnish is makes it easier to read as it cuts the glare a little bit).

However my main gripe is with the page layout itself. I realize that when laying out the signatures, you're trying your best to stay within the alloted page space; but you guys left yourselves absolutely no margins. The gutter (inside part of the page that run along the spine) is too small. The problem with this is that the art "sinks" into the spine, and you have to force the book open a bit to see the whole panel.

This comic is something I enjoy thoroughly, and I would like to see it be the best it can be. I'm in no way bashing the book. It's a very nice piece. All I'm saying is that it can be even better, and you should make it so.

-Because you can.


-Lenny Markus

PS... Mine has some squiggly lines in silver on the inside cover, that vaguely resemble something i drew on the wall when I was 3 ... I guess it must've been the last one that they signed

No no. Don't let yourself be fooled. Sohmer's signature it too simple for a 3 year old to reproduce. He uses well trained monkeys for the job. I think one of them is named Phil

I'll make sure he reads your post mr. Lensam. It's good to have actual productive criticism for once.

G!

Sohmer needs to make his signature more squiggly. Otherwise people might start selling forgeries

that was a very well thought out concern.

Great! Thanks!

And if you're going "Mr." on me, It's Mr. Markus... But Lenny is fine.


And I'll still enjoy the book!

If you need to reach me about this, you can do so at my screen name @yahoo.com

The sigs in the cover of my book also look just as you described. My guess is that all the rest of them do as well.

That's okay. My signature is pretty messy too!

I noticed that too, but in their defense, they did have to sign them all in, what, a couple of days? On top of everything else they have going on?
My signature got messy as hell after signing several papers to buy a new vehicle. I wonder what it would look like if I speed-signed my name a couple thousand times.

That was the idea I arrived at too, doesn't mean I wasn't a little disappointed though. At least Lars signature actually looked like a name

I'd also like to add some constructive criticism.

Firstly, where did the page numbers get to?
Prior to the site revamp the home page with the latest strip listed the page number of that strip. If you check the archives the comics are arranged by chapters and page numbers. It would have been nice to see them in the book, since it's...a book...with..you know...pages

Secondly, the archives show a special comic cover page when you mouse over each individual chapter. It would have been nice to see the book divided into those chapters using those title pages instead of running through without a break. (edit. I realise on reading this I didn't phrase it right, the pics are there but there's no writing to clarify which chapter it is. I'd like to have seen the comic book cover feel of the orginals

I really did like the book, it just struck me as very odd that it was missing a couple of very important book like features

The books arrived today (bought 2 copies), and hey - since I pre-ordered - shouldn't they be signed??? I'm all frowny now, when I should be all *w00t*...

Explain plz?

(don't get me wrong - the book is AWESOME - I just wish it had some silver scribbles in it)

Cheers (kinda),
Arpotu...

My only issue with the book is that the second part of page 76 is missing, the one that introduces Pella.

Beyond that, all is groovy.

That has been explained, by Sohmer himself even.

Did some digging, found the post. Understandable how bigger record label owners are more anal retentive about their intellectual property - they lack the creativity to actually make it worth something more substantial than a dollar sign.

Figures.

Thanks for the reply

Dang money hungry chickens at the Recording studio!

k so whats the story behind hte missing page portion? Or where I can I find it? kind of disconcerting...

k I meant the whole apparently long story
thanx tho