Holed Up There:

Holed Up Army Field Report -- Previews Reconnaissance   With the debut of Rich Johnston's Holed Up #1 coming in May, it's time once again to take a bit of a look at how the comic book industry works and some of the important dates looming in our immediate future for those of you who are new to comics and/or want to preorder Rich Johnston's Holed Up #1.  It's very important to let local comic retailers know that you want Rich Johnston's Holed Up, and here is some information to help you do that.  Please feel free to copy and paste this information wherever you think it will be useful. Comic Stores worldwide are taking orders for Rich Johnston's Holed Up #1 beginning now:  Though Holed Up #1 is scheduled to be released in May, retailers are compiling their orders for May releases beginning now.  So it's very important that you let retailers know as soon as possible that you want this release. Wednesday, February 25 - the order cycle begins as the new Previews catalog begins to ship to comic shops worldwide:  What is Previews?  It's a large catalog that contains artwork and info for essentially all of the comic books that are scheduled to come out in 2 months time.  So the Previews that will be in stores Feb 25 contains information on comics scheduled to be released beginning in May.  Previews is an advance order tool for all comic book retailers and many of their customers.  Many if not most comic shops accept preorders, and though you typically won't be required to buy a copy of the catalog for yourself to place an order, be aware that it is the scheduling, ordering, and informational mechanism on which much of the comic book industry turns.  You'll see it mentioned alot on this site and many other comic-related sites that talk about upcoming projects.  It is very important, particularly for an independent publisher like Avatar, for our readership to place preorders or otherwise let the local retailers know that you want these books so they have some gauge as to the demand for them and can order from our distributor accordingly.  The key information here is:  Most local stores will start accepting orders for Rich Johnston's Holed Up #1 beginning on Wednesday, Feb 25. Saturday, March 13 - pre-orders due:  On March 13 (consult your local retailer on this date, it may vary for your local shop), orders for May-shipping comics (which include the Rich Johnston's Holed Up #1 and the rest of our May  04-shipping releases) are due at your retailer.  Your would like to have your orders in hand by that time so he can place his own order to our distributor.  Note:  This is not to say that you wouldn't be able to order Rich Johnston's Holed Up #1 after this date, many if not most retailers will accept an order after this date, but please try to do so before March 13 if at all possible, as that will allow your retailer enough time to gauge demand and compile his orders. March 23-26 - retailers turn in orders to our distributor:  Depending on the method with which they turn in their orders to our distributor, most retailers will submit their compiled orders by March 23-26.  Ideally, the Holed Up Army would keep up the main thrust of its initial publicity assault up through this time so Rich Johnston's Holed Up is on retailers' minds as they finish up their orders. [ posted Wednesday, February 25, 2004 7:39:13 PM  |  permanent link to this item ]

Rich Johnston
Gonzalo Martinez
Presenting a Three Issue
Mini-Series from Avatar Press

The most-read Internet comic columnist, Rich Johnston, is now serving up his all-new all-twisted humor series! Holed Up is a family sitcom with semi-automatic weaponry. Set in the separatist community of Idaho, the Holed family must cope with the ever encroaching invasion of a society that wants to take away their freedom. And they'll defend it with their lives if necessary. Or preferably the lives of other people. A black comedy where wholesome good fun meets the very worst aspects of humanity - a nuclear family at ground zero.

Rich Johnston is the author of Lying In The Gutters, the comic industry's premier gossip and rumor column. He has loyal readers in every comic shop in the world and not only will use that column to promote this comic, but also his media contacts on and offline. Prepare for an onslaught of attention.

WHAT IS IT?

Rich Johnston’s Holed Up is an American family sitcom with semi-automatic weaponry. Set amongst the separatist community of Idaho, it tells an outrageous, over the top story of family life. Written by Lying In The Gutters author Rich Johnston, from London, England and drawn by Gonzalo Martinez from Chile, it's an outsider's look at the American Family genre in extreme circumstances.

WHY AM I HERE?

Rich Johnston’s Holed Up can be ordered now from comic book retailers. In fact that’s the only way you’ll probably get hold of a copy. Many retailers will not order this comic unless you specifically order it. Which is why we’re starting the Holed Up Army. As a soldier of the Holed Up Army, you’ll receive exclusive art, script exerpts and signed copies of the book. On your part you have to do everything you can to get the word out. Photoshoppers, message board posters, website holders, retailers, journalists, I need anyone and everyone. To join the Holed Up Army, sign on to the Holed Up Army Yahoo Group and pick up your first mission. There will be more to come.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?

Right now, you can help by ordering the comic book. Write this information down and take it to your retailer.

• DIAMOND PREVIEWS PAGE 232 AVATAR PRESS SPOT MAR04 2307 RICH JOHNSTONS HOLED UP #1 (Of 3) (MR) $3.50 for the story-content cover
• DIAMOND PREVIEWS PAGE 232 AVATAR PRESS SPOT MAR04 2308 RICH JOHNSTONS HOLED UP HOMELAND SECURITY ED #1 (Of 3) (MR) $3.50 For the suicide bomber cover.

TALKING HOLED UP

• Joe Quesada’s Board
• Mark Millar’s Millarworld
• Newsarama

You can contact Rich Johnston at rich@holedup.net -- or even call him on 0780 1350982 (011447801350982 from the USA). You can contact Avatar publisher William Christensen here.