Vegas Billboard for Scam Spurs New Customers

The saying goes "what's good for the goose is good for the gander" and it seems to be ringing true for Joe Mulvey's Scam, its publisher ComixTribe and comics in general.

Two weeks after erecting a 48-foot billboard to promoting the world-wide launch of a new creator-owned comic book near the Vegas strip, local shops are reporting increased foot traffic and inquiries into both Scam and comics. This creator/publisher/retailer promotion done in coordination with Vegas retailer Jay Bosworth of Maximum Comics was intended to raise awareness for the new superpowered con-men series which released this Wednesday, and for comics in general.

"A billboard for a comic book-- on the Las Vegas Strip? Crazy, I thought. Nuts. Who would do that? Comix Tribe's Tyler James and SCAM creator Joe Mulvey, that's who," said Bosworth, whose Maximum Comics boasts three locations in the Las Vegas area.

"I was thrilled to be asked to try something so new for our industry, and yet so familiar in the world of marketing. And you know what? It's working. The buzz and online chatter about looking up and seeing a billboard for a comic book has translated into visits to the shop and reserves for the new Diamond printing of issue #1.

The very fact that these guys are willing to take a risk to try something new to get new readers into comic shops deserves your consideration when ordering and promoting this title! This is the kind of marketing that'll make the Big Publishers take notice, and maybe even get them to try new ways of reaching new readers, too!"

The billboard, located on Tropicana and the Vegas strip, will run for another three-weeks on the Vegas strip, but it seems to be having a positive effect for retailers outside of Vegas as well.

"Kudos to Joe Mulvey and ComixTribe, for raising the bar on small-press promotion," said retailer Larry Doherty of Larry's Wonderful World of Comics, whose New England Comics Retailer's Alliance was instrumental in getting SCAM off the ground earlier this year. "Now, where are Marvel and DC's billboards promoting comics?"

Mulvey has been trying to convert non-comics readers into avid fans one person at a time in his popular "What Do You Really Know About Comics?" series of interviews. The common thread that runs through those interviews is that comic books have next-to-no public awareness to the non-Wednesday warrior.

"All to often, the comics industry spends its time preaching to the converted," said James. "You and I know how great the medium is, and that pop culture follows comics and not the other way around. But it's important to let the rest of the world know that, too."

Scam #1 is the Diamond Comics debut for ComixTribe and the debut series for Mulvey. Scam #2 (AUG120968) will be on the shelves in October.

Full press release below.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  - August 31, 2012

Vegas Billboard Drives New Customers Into Comic Shops

Big ComixTribe Promotion Leads to Increased Interest in Comics and SCAM

August 31, 2012 -- Newburyport, MA -- Two weeks after erecting a 48-foot billboard to promoting the world-wide launch of a new creator-owned comic book near the Vegas strip, local shops are reporting increased foot traffic and inquiries into both Joe Mulvey's SCAM and comics, ComixTribe publisher Tyler James announced today. This creator/publisher/retailer promotion done in coordination with Vegas retailer Jay Bosworth of Maximum Comics was intended to raise awareness for the new superpowered con-men series which released this Wednesday, and for comics in general.

And it seems to be working.

"A billboard for a comic book-- on the Las Vegas Strip? Crazy, I thought. Nuts. Who would do that? Comix Tribe's Tyler James and SCAM creator Joe Mulvey, that's who," said Bosworth, whose Maximum Comics boasts three locations in the Las Vegas area.

"I was thrilled to be asked to try something so new for our industry, and yet so familiar in the world of marketing. And you know what? It's working. The buzz and online chatter about looking up and seeing a billboard for a comic book has translated into visits to the shop and reserves for the new Diamond printing of issue #1. The very fact that these guys are willing to take a risk to try something new to get new readers into comic shops deserves your consideration when ordering and promoting this title!  This is the kind of marketing that'll make the Big Publishers take notice, and maybe even get them to try new ways of reaching new readers, too!"

The billboard, located on Tropicana and the Vegas strip, will run for another three-weeks on the Vegas strip, but it seems to be having a positive effect for retailers OUTSIDE of Vegas as well.

"Kudos to Joe Mulvey and ComixTribe, for raising the bar on small-press promotion," said retailer Larry Doherty of Larry's Wonderful World of Comics, whose New England Comics Retailer's Alliance was instrumental in getting SCAM off the ground earlier this year.  "Now, where are Marvel and DC's billboards promoting comics?"

"ComixTribe does it right. SCAM is a breath of fresh air, with it's blend of the best in superhero comics and the best in crime comics. Innovative comics from innovative people! Get it!" added Steve Anderson, of Third Eye Comics in Maryland.


"SCAM #1 is one of the most impressive debuts we’ve ever read! It’s 44 pages of awesome!" echoed Titus of The Comic Book Shop, in Delaware.

"All to often, the comics industry spends its time preaching to the converted," said Tyler James.  "You and I know how great the medium is, and that pop culture follows comics and not the other way around.  But it's important to let the rest of the world know that, too."

SCAM creator Joe Mulvey has been trying to convert non-comics readers into avid fans one person at a time in his popular "What Do You Really Know About Comics?" series of interviews.  The common thread that runs through those interviews is that comic books have next-to-no public awareness to the non-Wednesday warrior.  "Whoever runs comics isn’t getting the info out there," said one recent interviewer who Joe successfully turned on to comics.

Because of this, when it came time to release his first creator-owned book, Joe was determined to put his money where his mouth is. "Comics are the most creative and progressive form of entertainment there is," said Mulvey. "It's time more people knew that.  The comics industry as a whole needs to do a better job of beating its own chest.  Every other product promotes itself to the world.  Hell, paper towels have commercials and mustard has billboards!  Why not comics?"

SCAM #1 marks the Diamond Comics debut for ComixTribe, and is the debut series for Mulvey.  SCAM is an “X-Men meets Oceans 11″ style story, and involves a team of super-powered grifters on the biggest con of their lives...taking down a Vegas casino and getting revenge on a former teammate who double-crossed them.

SCAM #2 (AUG120968) will be on the shelves in October.

   

 

About Joe Mulvey

Joe Mulvey is a freelance graphic artist from NYC, trying to spread his love of comics and take over the world one panel at a time. Visit him at http://joemulveyart.com, or follow him on Twitter @joemulv.
 
About ComixTribe

ComixTribe is a publisher of creator-owned comics, including SCAM,The Red Ten, The Standard, and more.  In addition to being a publishing imprint, ComixTribe is also an online community, with the mission statement: Creators helping creators make better comics. ComixTribe also sponsors the annual 30 Characters Challenge, an online art event where participants challenge themselves to create 30 brand new characters in just 30 days, one for every day of November. Visit ComixTribe.com or email publisher Tyler James (tyler.james@comixtribe.com) to learn more.