Spain, part one; Madrid
In downtown Madrid, I meet my spanish publisher Laureano Dominguez from Astiberri.
Let me start off by saying that Spain is off the hook. The amount of national radio, TV and newspaper interviews I do is unbelievable.
Twice, while riding somewhere in a cab, Lauriano receives a last minute request from a major newspaper and he hands me his cel phone so I can answer five minutes worth of questions. The main thing most journalists asked me: Why comics, why now? (A question I assume to be some kind of reference to both the universal invasion of Manga and the hype in Spain around the BONE release) They also want me to explain how I have created the most successful comic book in the world. I assured them that I wouldn’t know, but it was nice being asked!
Here is the Spanish book surrounded by promotional material and reviews.
The Astiberri editions are beautiful; Laureano's designer has put a snow white cover underneath the dust jacket that really works. Tonight we start a marathon series of signings with an appearance at the large downtown chain store FNAC. We hope there's a good turn out…
Are pictures of the London signings going to be on this page?
Comment by Sam — October 28, 2006 @ 2:29 pm
I spent a semester studying abroad in Granada, Spain and they are CRAZY about comics there. There were comics on sale at every news-stand (mostly Marvel reprints and Manga) and four or five pretty great comic stores within walking distance of my apartment. It seemed like I was always finding a new store somewhere!
As a point of contrast, I live in Southern California and it’s a 20 minute drive to any comic book retailer worth mentioning!
Que tengas un buen viaje! Enjoy Spain!
Comment by Aaron — October 28, 2006 @ 10:28 pm
Yes, London will be coming up soon!
Comment by Jeff Smith — October 29, 2006 @ 4:53 am
Hi, Mr. Smith!
I’m David Fernández, the guy from Zona Negativa website that interviewed you in Madrid Fnac store (Do you remember the picture with Cary Grant?
)
I’m writing just to tell you that we’re finishing the interview’s translation, so as soon as we publish it, we’ll send you a link to the entire article.
One more time, thank you very much for your kindness!
P.S: I’m very surprised!I didn’t expect to appear in your blog!When did Laureano take the picture? (he was as silent as a long-time trained ninja!). Greentings from Spain!
Comment by David — October 29, 2006 @ 6:09 pm
Bravo for all your European edition of Bone !
Comment by paul — October 30, 2006 @ 3:14 pm
Yes, David, please send the link, and I will post it.
Comment by Jeff — November 1, 2006 @ 6:59 am
[...] El tour promocional de Jeff Smith por tierras españolas ya ha finalizado, y en su blog deja constancia de su paso por Madrid (1 y 2), Barcelona y Bilbao. Hay cantidad de fotos en las que le veréis acompañado de Fernando Tarancón y Laureano DomÃnguez (Astiberri), Monteys, Mauro Entrialgo y Ãlvaro Pons, entre otros. Además, el incansable compañero y amigo Javi Arriola (Comix, La BD, Volatilis) subió hace unos dÃas a Youtube tres pequeños videos de la prentación de Bone en el Fnac de Madrid, que podéis ver en estos enlaces. Por lo que comenta en su blog, da la impresión de que Jeff lo ha pasado bien y ha comido mejor, y lo que es más importante, las ventas de Bone han sido un absoluto éxito, habiéndose vendido en dos semanas la mitad de la tirada para un año. Sin duda, la labor promocional de Astiberri está dando sus frutos. Otras editoriales deberÃan tomar nota y darse cuenta de que los cómics no se venden solos, y que tal vez merece la pena dejar de contratar dos o tres series mediocres y emplear esos dineros en promocionar obras de calidad y/o con un amplio abanico de posibles compradores. [...]
Pingback by Entrecomics » Blog Archive » Hasta la vista, Jeff — November 3, 2006 @ 9:45 am
I dig the white covers… there’s something really classy and aesthetically pleasing about a clean white layout.
Comment by Brandon Klassen — November 13, 2006 @ 8:59 pm