RASL News: New format, more issues
The first four issues of RASL were 32 pages and were published on a fairly relaxed 3 issue-a-year plan. When I came up with this format, I thought the extra pages would make up for a slower release schedule, but the demand for more issues gets louder every time a new chapter comes out. I think everyone I heard from liked the extra pages, but they’d rather have less time between issues.
So, starting with RASL no.5, the black & white comic books will be 24 pages, and in the Fall begin a bimonthly schedule.
I have to admit it makes sense to me too, especially at deadline/crunch time when instead of dealing with18 to 22 page stories which is standard, I suddenly found myself wrangling an extra 10 to 14 pages which almost made my brain explode!
I still have to make room for some scheduling conflicts this summer (for a couple of projects that I’m not ready to announce yet,) but, here’s the schedule for the next few issues:
RASL no.5 July
[secret project over the summer months]
RASL no.6 October
RASL no.7 December
RASL no.8 March 2010
Good idea.
So now that the issues are shorter, I imagine it’s going to now be more than a 9 issue limited series right? Originally I think that it was mentioned 3 books would be done (32 pages an issue, 96 page book, 288 pages series.)
But with the new format, it seems that all that will change.
So my main question: Is this series still going to have 9 issues at around 250 pages, or will it be more than that?
Comment by Marcus — May 8, 2009 @ 5:15 pm
The number of issues will have to go up, because the story will stay the same, coming in around 350 or so.
Comment by Jeff — May 8, 2009 @ 6:16 pm
So probably like 12-15 issues? Or probably more.
Comment by Marcus — May 8, 2009 @ 6:20 pm
Love seeing the blue pencil layouts, man. My favorite kind of stuff on a blog is the “work in progress” material.
I also loved the oversized Book One.Gorgeous presentation.
Comment by James A. Owen — May 8, 2009 @ 6:32 pm
[...] Jeff Smith has heard Reese and other readers who have had similar concerns, so he’s moving the book to a new schedule. Starting with issue five, the book will be less pages — 24 versus 32 — and in the fall [...]
Pingback by Robot 6 @ Comic Book Resources - Covering Comic Book News and Entertainment » Jeff Smith’s RASL to have less pages on a bimonthly schedule — May 8, 2009 @ 7:22 pm
By the way, as a writer and artist, you definitely plan ahead as the story progresses. I think that fitting in quicker but still good chapters will be nice since cramming and scrambling for material to fill out an issue is ridiculous at times.
But.
Plot-wise, how big will that become?
Comment by Marcus — May 8, 2009 @ 8:59 pm
I loved the longer issues personally, but whatever you feel is best because I just want the story to be best served. If this works for you, go for it.
But “secret project?” What are you Dave Sim all of the sudden? I actually bought the first issue of Glamourpuss, but I was pretty disappointed. I’m sure this “secret project” will be way better though.
Cheers, best wishes.
Comment by Jonathan — May 8, 2009 @ 10:12 pm
Jeff,
Remember me? The 12-year-old who likes Preston Blair. Anyway, I was thinking of his cartoon books and I was wondering if he made more than one. We have a yellow one, is there any more? And by the way, I am a huge fan of Bone and the Monkey Island games. Have you ever played them?
Comment by Bianca — May 9, 2009 @ 6:22 am
Obviously I think this is a great move. I was nervous at first because I thought it might screw up the final product somehow (which is what really is important right?). So I’m glad to hear the final page count will stay the same.
But it’s awesome when a creator is out there and is keeping the fans/readers in mind. Thanks!
Comment by Jesse Reese — May 9, 2009 @ 12:52 pm
LOVE the blue pencil work in progress images!!!! I’m excited to hear that each issue will come a little sooner, even if it means it will be a bit shorter. I did enjoy the longer page count… and I too wonder if this will affect the pacing of the storytelling. Did you previously have an idea of what parts of the story each issue would contain? The overall strokes of the issue, such as start points and end points? So now, you would have to shuffle how the plot is going to unfold with more issues but less space in each one?
Comment by Brandon — May 9, 2009 @ 6:10 pm
“overall strokes of *each* issue” that should have read.
Comment by Brandon — May 9, 2009 @ 6:11 pm
I will echo the “love of the blue line” sentiment. Works in progress are always great to see for me. I loved the first trade, gorgeous. Looking forward to a complete RASL one day to sit beside Bone and Shazam.
To Jonathan on his Glamourpuss comments, dude I love that book to, it is a study of old school artists, I think it has some brilliant insight and funny comments on the fashion mags.
Comment by jason beirens — May 10, 2009 @ 2:24 am
This is a good move for me. Trying to keep serials straight when new chapters come out every four months is tough on my aging brain!
Comment by John Platt — May 11, 2009 @ 3:25 pm
I’m pretty excited! I can’t wait for more of RASL. Issue 4 stopped me in my tracks for a second, because I was trying to figure out the backstory from this ship. But I really did enjoy finally knowing a few things.
This new schedule is a great idea. I hope it all works out for you!
Comment by Lylian — May 13, 2009 @ 12:17 pm
Jeff, best luck for your all your future projects.
By the way, any idea whether Scholastic which published your Bone Series in India, is continuing with the next 5 volumes. They are long done with the 4 volumes, and there are no news yet… .Is the last album out of color production yet ?
Also, I would love to hear with RASL is part of SCholastics plans… Shipping rates and Dollar Conversions are hell for those aspiring comics readers over here in India… only way out is to see the Scholastic kind of brand bringing it to Indian prices.
ÇómícólógÝ
Comment by Rafiq Raja — May 21, 2009 @ 4:16 am
I THINK I just found out what 1 of those “projects” are.
Comment by Marcus — May 25, 2009 @ 6:55 pm
AND the other “project.”
Comment by Marcus — May 25, 2009 @ 7:03 pm
and I think a third, but I think people already know?
Comment by Marcus — May 25, 2009 @ 9:13 pm