Expansion Planz!
The last issue of ZDARSKY COMIC NEWS was only four pages. Why was that? Because I forgot to get ads. It turns out I’m actually human after all and can’t write and draw comics and make a magazine AND get ads for it every month. So! I’m pleased to announce my new partnership with PRANA DIRECT MARKET SOLUTIONS!
The team at Prana, led by industry cool guy Atom Freeman, are now official partners of ZCN! Prana will be handling all of our future advertising and growing our presence in comic shops everywhere! What does this mean for you, my loyal and sensual reader?
Well! It means the next issue, number eight, will be SIXTEEN PAGES! And from here on out we’ll never dip below eight pages! So, more fun content and book picks for you! If we get to 32 pages then I guess I’ve got a new problem and need to hire more people. But for now it’s still just li’l ol’ me making this thing, now with help from Atom and his team!
I even launched a website for ZCN! A website for a print-only publication?? I don’t get it either, but here it is!
The official press release for my new partnership is below! I’m a MOGUL, guys!!!
January 23, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Atom Freeman
info@pranadm.com
ZDARSKY COMIC NEWS PARTNERS WITH PRANA DIRECT MARKET SOLUTIONS
Brooklyn, N.Y. — Comics news and entertainment magazine ZDARSKY COMIC NEWS, created by critically acclaimed cartoonist Chip Zdarsky, has partnered with comic book Direct Market business veteran Atom Freeman and his company Prana: Direct Market Solutions to assist in business management and advertising sales of the magazine.
Multiple Eisner Award winner Chip Zdarsky has recently partnered with the renowned comic book marketing and sales veteran Atom Freeman for the continued production of Zdarky’s eponymous comic news periodical ZDARSKY COMIC NEWS.
ZCN was created by Zdarsky because he “hates the Internet”. He wanted to tell people about upcoming books in the only place that matters: comic shops. Hearkening back to the days of publications such as Wizard Magazine, Marvel Age or Comic Buyer's Guide, ZCN strives to be an entertaining source of comic book knowledge in the place where customers exist.
Freeman’s role as Business Manager also integrates his company, Prana: Direct Market Solutions, as they will take on the magazine's advertisement sales role. “At Prana, one of our goals is to see around corners for our clients and understand what the challenges are in selling in this market. For any number of reasons, the challenge of promoting to actual comics fans has gotten harder over the last decade. With ZCN, Chip has created something that sells comics to the people who actually buy comics in the place where they buy comics. Being involved felt like a no brainer”, said Prana founder, Atom Freeman.
“Being involved with Prana felt like a no-brainer,” said ZCN Publisher Chip Zdarsky. “Oh, wait, Atom already used “no-brainer?” Uh, then… being involved with Prana felt like… I didn’t need to… have a brain… to see this was a good idea? Does that work?”
The relationship between Zdarsky and Prana begins with issue eight of ZDARSKY COMIC NEWS, to be released at local comic shops on February 12, 2025. This issue will be the first to—
“Sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt,” said Zdarsky. “I’m just not really liking what I said up above. I’m a writer. I need. To do. Better.
“ZCN is a passion project. I love comic shops, and being able to make something that helps them—and my fellow creators—get new readers and sell books is an actual joy. In the past few months I’ve interviewed the likes of Scott Snyder, Gail Simone and Eve Ewing, and being able to share that with fans is a pleasure.”
As we were saying… issue eight of ZCN will feature an expanded page count, bringing the issue from an average of eight to a whopping 16 pages. This issue also allows retailers to expand their readership by having their orders over-shipped at 50% at no additional cost.
Attendees of the ComicsPRO annual meeting, which will be held in Glendale, CA, will receive copies of an exclusive ZDARSKY COMIC NEWS #8 Absolute Edition variant in their gift bags later next month.
About ZDARSKY COMIC NEWS:
The magazine you’ve dreamed of is here! ZDARSKY COMIC NEWS is a physical newsletter available in fine comic shops everywhere! This little slice of heaven is only available in real life; it is full of jokes and news you can use!
About Prana: Direct Market Solutions:
Trusted advisors for the dynamic world of Comic Book Publishing and the Retail Direct Market. PRANA: DIRECT MARKET SOLUTIONS drawing inspiration from the best practices of global consulting leaders, Prana brings a unique blend of strategic expertise, creativity, and business acumen to our clients. Prana offers a comprehensive suite of solutions to help comic publishing companies thrive. From marketing strategies to distribution solutions, our ever-expanding offerings make us the ultimate partner for each company’s growth journey.
For more information about ZDARSKY COMIC NEWS, including advertising rates for future editions or Prana: Direct Market Solutions, please contact info@pranadm.com.
About Chip Zdarsky:
Chip has too much time on his hands.
But of course, ZCN exists to shine a light on comic books! And I make those! For example, this week is the release of the final volume of THE ALLNIGHTER from Dark Horse / Comixology!
It’s always satisfying to be able to tell a complete story in comics. This final volume, showcasing the beautiful art of Jason and Paris, was emotional to write. Seeing these characters through to the end with this incredible team was one of the great pleasures in my career. You should go read it!
OKAY
Thank you!
NO, THANK YOU
I … you’re being awfully agreeable. What’s going on?
I SIGNED A DEAL WITH PRANA TO BE YOUR AMBASSADOR
Well, shit, I’ll take affirmation any way I can get it.
In other comic news, it sounds like this bad boy is already starting to be hard to find!
I don’t want to tell you how to live your life, but you better get one ASAP!!
WILL DO, CAN’T WAIT
See, coming from you this just sounds sarcastic
NO IDEA WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT I’M JUST A HUGE FAN
Oh! Hey! Remember two weeks ago when I went on about TIME WAITS #3 coming out?
YEAH
Well, I was wrong and it’s out THIS week!
EVEN KINGS MAKE MISTAKES
…Yeah, so anyway, TIME WAITS #3 is out this week! Go get that too!
Also, it’s got a gorrrrrgeous variant by my new favourite artist Marianna Ignazzi!
Okay, one last thing, I swear. The cover for issue nine of ZCN is out in the world!
It’s going to have a fun interview with comics’ hottest young (under 50) writer, Deniz Camp! Tell your shop you NEED it, baby!!!
ABSOLUTELY MY LIT LIEGE
ugh
UPCOMING BOOKS
THE ALL-NIGHTER VOL 3 — Jan 22
BATMAN #157 — Feb 5
ZDARSKY COMIC NEWS #8 — Feb 12
PUBLIC DOMAIN VOL 2 — Feb 19
BATMAN: DARK PRISONS — Mar 04
ZDARSKY COMIC NEWS #9 — Mar 12
TIME WAITS HC — Mar 25
THE DOMAIN VOL 1 — Mar 26
CREEPSHOW VOL 3 — Apr 1
FANTASTIC FOUR: FATE OF THE FOUR — Apr 1
FCBD: FANTASTIC FOUR/GIANT-SIZE X-MEN #1 — May 03
BATMAN: THE DYING CITY — May 05
UPCOMING SIGNINGS
LA MOLE (Mexico City) — March 14-16
I am officially coming for one of those ads, Chip! Step two: Figure out how to make an ad! (Congrats, by the way!)
When I was a kid, I was dissuaded from my dream of making a career out of seeing around corners. Congratulations to Atom for breaking the corner ceiling!