Dark Horse Layoffs

vikingspawn · Post by **vikingspawn** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 6:10 pm

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page ... e&id=31840

http://www.comicsbeat.com/2011/04/12/br ... ark-horse/

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/04/1 ... e-layoffs/

jedimarley · Post by **jedimarley** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 6:14 pm

Properties like the Jim Shooter Gold Key relaunch and Janet Evanovich’s Troublemaker are expensive to buy and even more expensive to produce, and both of those projects were known to be toxic [by employees] before publication,” said Colter. “The print-run of Troublemaker was insanely high, unwelcoming to established fans, and overpriced for most comics readers. Similarly, the Gold Key character relaunch was overreaching, over printed, and quite frankly worn-out.”

Yikes. That's not good.

BruceReville · Post by **BruceReville** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 6:15 pm

“Properties like the Jim Shooter Gold Key relaunch and Janet Evanovich’s Troublemaker are expensive to buy and even more expensive to produce, and both of those projects were known to be toxic [by employees] before publication,” said Colter. “The print-run of Troublemaker was insanely high, unwelcoming to established fans, and overpriced for most comics readers. Similarly, the Gold Key character relaunch was overreaching, over printed, and quite frankly worn-out.”

That doesn't bode well.

Edit: Dang Jedi Beat Me!

geocarr · Post by **geocarr** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 6:21 pm

Well sh!t...

BruceReville · Post by **BruceReville** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 6:22 pm

Colter described delays in the Dark Horse digital comics program, which was initially slated for January but not yet released, as a missed opportunity for the company, and said that concerns about both the development of the digital comics program and more significantly, the viability of major comics projects like the Gold Key relaunch were raised numerous times by Dark Horse employees, but ultimately dismissed by upper management.

"I have sat in several meetings going over numbers and plans for books like Troublemaker and have seen voices of dissent point out the obvious: that Dark Horse is spending too much money on projects that the majority of modern comic readers do not want to purchase," said Colter. "And the answer was always the same, get on board because this is the direction the train is heading."

Todd Luck · Post by **Todd Luck** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 7:01 pm

Just to keep it in context, 7 out of more than 100 employees were let go with no further lay offs planned (that's even newsworthy?) and the quotes are from someone who Dark Horse previously fired (or laid off, each news site seems to state it differently) and sounds like the talk of a disgruntled employee (the Gold Key relaunch was "over printed," on what planet did this happen?)

superggraphics · Post by **superggraphics** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 7:24 pm

Todd is right on the mark. All that I am allowed to tell you is that the guy who talked about the books, Aaron Colter, was fired by Dark Horse, so consider the source. Work on the Gold Key books is proceeding. I believe you all know you can trust me on this. No need to worry. :)

George E Warner
superggraphics

jridd28 · Post by **jridd28** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 7:31 pm

superggraphics wrote:Todd is right on the mark. All that I am allowed to tell you is that the guy who talked about the books, Aaron Colter, was fired by Dark Horse, so consider the source. Work on the Gold Key books is proceeding. I believe you all know you can trust me on this. No need to worry.

George E Warner
superggraphics

Thats a better perspective than what I had when I read it. You should paste your message at DK.com as well. Hopefully it works out!

superggraphics · Post by **superggraphics** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 7:38 pm

Trust me, that's all I can tell you, but I believe you know what I'm telling you. :)

G

depluto · Post by **depluto** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 7:59 pm

A couple of the editorial staffers they let go had been there for almost 15 years. That seems like a long time.

Chiclo · Post by **Chiclo** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 8:32 pm

superggraphics wrote:Todd is right on the mark. All that I am allowed to tell you is that the guy who talked about the books, Aaron Colter, was fired by Dark Horse, so consider the source. Work on the Gold Key books is proceeding. I believe you all know you can trust me on this. No need to worry.

George E Warner
superggraphics

I dunno. I want to hear this from Iggy before I believe it.

superggraphics · Post by **superggraphics** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 8:49 pm

Well Done Chiclo, Well Done. :)

G

iggy101us · Post by **iggy101us** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:22 am

Chiclo wrote:
superggraphics wrote:Todd is right on the mark. All that I am allowed to tell you is that the guy who talked about the books, Aaron Colter, was fired by Dark Horse, so consider the source. Work on the Gold Key books is proceeding. I believe you all know you can trust me on this. No need to worry.

George E Warner
superggraphics
I dunno. I want to hear this from Iggy before I believe it.

It's true. Superggraphics and I discussed it over a couple of Armstrong Ales and Darque Brews.

Crow331 · Post by **Crow331** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 8:20 pm

iggy101us wrote:
Chiclo wrote:
superggraphics wrote:Todd is right on the mark. All that I am allowed to tell you is that the guy who talked about the books, Aaron Colter, was fired by Dark Horse, so consider the source. Work on the Gold Key books is proceeding. I believe you all know you can trust me on this. No need to worry.

George E Warner
superggraphics
I dunno. I want to hear this from Iggy before I believe it.
It's true. Superggraphics and I discussed it over a couple of Armstrong Ales and Darque Brews.

ian_house · Post by **ian_house** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 3:54 am

So who got fired? Is work on the GK books continuing? Do I need to worry?