1992 MARVEL MASTERPIECES 30th Anniversary Book

[Dukefett]

Originally Posted by HiltonL

The books are almost certainly printed overseas and on a slow freighter to the US. It's not synonymous with "up in the air"

As for the slipcases, as an art-tier supporter, I did wonder how they were going to do one-offs of these since each one is supposed to match the art received. I'm now guessing that the slipcases are windowed, and FPG will put a print in before sending it out.

This 100%. I collect toys and hear various shipping times from US companies, but overseas shipping is usually 6-8 weeks.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by HiltonL

"Worst case" on the slipcases would be something like FPG hot-gluing some sheet of office quality paper printed with the art image on it. I don't like to think too much about extremes, which is why I am also 99.99% MEH about the 12k lottery. But I do think about them and I base my thinking on what people say in writing.

True, that might just be the worst case. Best case is a full-blown, printed slipcover with the specific art in its glory....one can wish. The big question for me is whether the round 2 books (actual books, not slipcase) have a separate cover than the round 1's. That would be pretty remarkable if they do....only 20 of that book made. They arent shown in the actual campaign....for some reason I keep thinking they'll be Silver Surfer covers (doesnt really make sense since surfer was in round 1), I think Im basing it off a teaser I pic I saw.....but I have no idea.

[DynaEtch]

Now Im more confused than before, because it looks like the mid-tier option (signed/slipcase) might be the Silver Surfer cover, based on a store's listing of this versions presale:



It was shown as a Spiderman cover in the campaign, but if you look real closely it does say 'final design subject to change' in the fine print next to the image of the book in the campaign. So if Spiderman is not the 2nd tier....is it a higher tier like one of the original art tiers? Hmm...questions.

[glorbgorb]

Dyna, you're gonna drive yourself crazy trying to figure this all out! Just wait until it all arrives in your mailbox.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by glorbgorb

Dyna, you're gonna drive yourself crazy trying to figure this all out! Just wait until it all arrives in your mailbox.

Haha I know, right? That mid-tier Surfer version is being offered at presale at $325 btw, it'll be signed but doesnt come with the kickstarter extras like bronze cards etc. It also says expected ship date is 12/31, which we know to take with a major grain of salt.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by HiltonL

The books are almost certainly printed overseas and on a slow freighter to the US. It's not synonymous with "up in the air"

As for the slipcases, as an art-tier supporter, I did wonder how they were going to do one-offs of these since each one is supposed to match the art received. I'm now guessing that the slipcases are windowed, and FPG will put a print in before sending it out.

But they posted in the Kickstarter that the books would be printed in the US:

this book will be printed in the USA, thusly eliminating any Covid-related shipping delays.

So did plans change and they had to find an offshore printer? That could help explain the long delay.

[glorbgorb]

I mean, isn't the point that we just don't know?

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

But they posted in the Kickstarter that the books would be printed in the US:



So did plans change and they had to find an offshore printer? That could help explain the long delay.

Very good question, considering they posted that in the campaign, and see this is my point, in response to glorb- yes we dont know almost anything….but doesn’t that mean the communication has been bad thus far, and there has actually been very little transparency? All we see in these updates is: Covid delays, still waiting for printing, will be shipping in X timeframe (then doesn’t). What about basically any particulars? If indeed they went off shore, which is not what was stated in the risks sections of the campaign….why not tell us the situation and why things are so delayed? It’s a year out and backers have a right to be asking these questions.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

Very good question, considering they posted that in the campaign, and see this is my point, in response to glorb- yes we dont know almost anything….but doesn’t that mean the communication has been bad thus far, and there has actually been very little transparency? All we see in these updates is: Covid delays, still waiting for printing, will be shipping in X timeframe (then doesn’t). What about basically any particulars? If indeed they went off shore, which is not what was stated in the risks sections of the campaign….why not tell us the situation and why things are so delayed? It’s a year out and backers have a right to be asking these questions.

Yeah, this a big part of why I'm concerned about this project not getting shipped. After so many delays, why haven't they been more specific about the causes of the delays? Why the radio silence from Mr Jusko?

A successful campaign means more than a product eventually being shipped. It also means backers having a good experience. Any company that wants to be successful and stay in business long-term would want their customers to have a positive experience. Being honest and transparent is a good way to build trust and loyalty with customers.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Yeah, this a big part of why I'm concerned about this project not getting shipped. After so many delays, why haven't they been more specific about the causes of the delays? Why the radio silence from Mr Jusko?

A successful campaign means more than a product eventually being shipped. It also means backers having a good experience. Any company that wants to be successful and stay in business long-term would want their customers to have a positive experience. Being honest and transparent is a good way to build trust and loyalty with customers.

I agree with much of this. Another sign though that I think it ships is because all these non-kickstart preorders going on, and mass market release…I mean how would that not end up happening. Both involving the base Hulk version and the mid tier Surfer. Plus you have FPG saying about how the rest of their catalog is being affected by the delay and backed up.

I dunno…I just want more honesty and transparency. Tell us what’s going on. Don’t just give dates or estimations when they really aren’t known. Some people were no doubt planning on getting these by the holidays based on the Nov update.

[Fenian95]

Latest comment reply seems to confirm that YES the books wound up being printed overseas for some reason.

Posted verbatim below:

"Can any clarification be given about the 'shipping times in the water'? Does this mean the book has already been printed and it is just the overseas transit time that is the question? Thanks in advance, looking forward to the book.


user avatar
FPGCreator
about 1 hour ago
Yes, it is printed.

We REALLY are trying to pin down the exact time frame they will arrive. And WILL post as soon as we do.

THANK YOU!

JOE"

I am really looking forward to the book. I just hate that I have to play Sherlock Holmes and watch the comments thread every day to get info.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by Fenian95

Latest comment reply seems to confirm that YES the books wound up being printed overseas for some reason.

Posted verbatim below:

"Can any clarification be given about the 'shipping times in the water'? Does this mean the book has already been printed and it is just the overseas transit time that is the question? Thanks in advance, looking forward to the book.


user avatar
FPGCreator
about 1 hour ago
Yes, it is printed.

We REALLY are trying to pin down the exact time frame they will arrive. And WILL post as soon as we do.

THANK YOU!

JOE"

I am really looking forward to the book. I just hate that I have to play Sherlock Holmes and watch the comments thread every day to get info.

Thanks for posting.

[Fenian95]

More info dribbled out this am. Would lt really have been so hard for FPG to have said this in an earlier update?

If it's true of course.

Further, this book will be printed in the USA, thusly eliminating any Covid-related shipping delays."

I'm OK with delayed...but what happened to this? Printed in Hawaii?


user avatar
FPGCreator
about 9 hours ago
Thanks for being ok with it.

We absolutely, positively, did NOT abandon the printer. They have done excellent work for us in the past and we would have continued to go with them. Unfortunately, the problems that they experienced during Covid continued to weigh them down, and they finally closed their doors earlier this year. A lot of businesses have failed during that period of shutdown, or just could never recover. But please know this, if they ever reopen, and we REALLY hope that they do, we will be there for them.

Thanks Chris. I know that you worry about the families involved at the printer. We do as well.

[DynaEtch]

This is the first we hear of this, a year into the project....yea I have to say this is confusing and Im disappointed by FPG's lack of transparency. We were getting almost no particulars this entire year. Now backers have to pry rather important bits of info out piece by piece by asking questions in the comments section. ughh.

Also I doubt this thing comes anytime soon. They say it's printed....I believe almost nothing anymore. Like the above poster, I'll believe it when it arrives in the mailbox, if it even does.

[Dukefett]

Originally Posted by Fenian95

More info dribbled out this am. Would lt really have been so hard for FPG to have said this in an earlier update?

If it's true of course.

Further, this book will be printed in the USA, thusly eliminating any Covid-related shipping delays."

I'm OK with delayed...but what happened to this? Printed in Hawaii?


user avatar
FPGCreator
about 9 hours ago
Thanks for being ok with it.

We absolutely, positively, did NOT abandon the printer. They have done excellent work for us in the past and we would have continued to go with them. Unfortunately, the problems that they experienced during Covid continued to weigh them down, and they finally closed their doors earlier this year. A lot of businesses have failed during that period of shutdown, or just could never recover. But please know this, if they ever reopen, and we REALLY hope that they do, we will be there for them.

Thanks Chris. I know that you worry about the families involved at the printer. We do as well.

"Thanks Chris. I know that you worry about the families involved at the printer. We do as well."



What kind of tacked on comment is that, busting his balls?


And yeah "earlier this year" sounds like it happened months and months ago with no info about that being relayed. Like yeah of course we all would've expected these delays if you had to switch printers and not only that, switch to overseas.

[bub838]

This is why I hate giving money upfront and never participated in a kickstarter until this.

[BobCollects]

Originally Posted by bub838

This is why I hate giving money upfront and never participated in a kickstarter until this.

Same here. Never again.

[PurplesaurusRex]

Did you see this reply from FPG?

Oh gee, I admit that I do not check this section very frequently! I AM SO SORRY! There are so many places that comments are posted; individual updates, direct messages, general and particular comments, etc. Sorry you were disappointed! We are doing everything that we can to get them here asap. We are at the mercy of the printer's shipping schedules etc.

My VERY SINCERE apologies again for missing this section,

Wow. They're not going to gather much sympathy with comments like that.

[DynaEtch]

Edit...nvm. I probably sound like a broken record.

Not happy with this project so far, and it's the last kickstarter project I plan on backing.

[PurplesaurusRex]

There's so many Kickstarters out there that provide an example of what NOT to do. If creators don't provide full transparency about delays, there will be pressure and constant questioning from backers. I see this over and over again. Not saying nasty comments/hate mail are justified but if you're dealing with backers that have invested thousands of dollars you should keep them updated on every part of the project.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by PurplesaurusRex

There's so many Kickstarters out there that provide an example of what NOT to do. If creators don't provide full transparency about delays, there will be pressure and constant questioning from backers. I see this over and over again. Not saying nasty comments/hate mail are justified but if you're dealing with backers that have invested thousands of dollars you should keep them updated on every part of the project.

That's the thing....with just a handful of exceptions, there has been very little questioning or pressure at all in comments. In fact most of the comments are super enthusiastic and positive a year out and after all these backtrackings. There isnt an incentive for them to get the book in our hands sooner, or be more transparent.....almost no one seems to care. Why not just keep pushing it back into Jan next year, or the summer, or next Christmas....most backers dont seem to mind. I agree it's not the place for nastiness or anything like that....but when a project gets little pressure at all and almost nothing but praise regardless of what's going on, this is the result I guess.

[bub838]

Originally Posted by PurplesaurusRex

Did you see this reply from FPG?



Wow. They're not going to gather much sympathy with comments like that.

They copy/pasted it a couple times too. Real dickhead response.

[jdandns]

Dr. Jusko has graciously performed a little surgery on the Hulk from his Battle Spectra card so that the art could be used as endpapers.
The patient is doing very well:




I'll be very happy to receive the book anytime this year and have not complained regarding the ongoing, but very understandable delay even once (which FPG really should take note of if they happen to be "randomly" giving away the new Hulk piece to a "random" backer).

[DynaEtch]

Ha- ok that is pretty cool! What a neat front/endspiece for the book. One of my fav arts in the set too, glad they chose that.

As you may expect, Im gonna take a slightly different stance on the delays. It has not been handled well by FPG with these updates. They post this Jan update and there is basically nothing at all on the status of the books shipping besides they are still waiting for it. It remains vague what's going on with the shipping and status of this book, like it's a secret being kept from the backers. When someone brought up that in the campaign risks section it outright says "this book will be printed in the USA, thusly eliminating any Covid-related shipping delays."- the info we had when deciding to drop (possibly a lot of) money on this book, and which appears to be totally false- they basically dismissed it, saying offhand they had to change printers (zero clue of that through the year or so of updates to that point. Pretty major thing about the project imo).

It is now Jan, 2024, we paid Dec 1, 2022. So a little more than a year. Originally the books were slated for like April-May of 2023. I think you are just a more patient person than me I do wonder what the cut-off is.....what if it doesnt come this year, and it's 2025. Will there be a point when backers are more vocal and say enough is enough, just ship us our books? Something tells me even in 2025 the attitude will not be much changed, and still overly enthusiastic/positive in the comments. That's what happens I guess when lotto prize extras are only going out to some backers and not others.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by jdandns

I'll be very happy to receive the book anytime this year and have not complained regarding the ongoing, but very understandable delay even once (which FPG really should take note of if they happen to be "randomly" giving away the new Hulk piece to a "random" backer).

Why is it understandable? Do you have insight into the specific reasons for the delay? I'm not trying to be rude, but it doesn't seem like FPG has really been transparent or honest on this project.

Based off this most recent update, it does look like there is finally strong evidence that this books is actually getting made -- backers hadn't previously gotten that. But what if it gets delayed for several more months? Would you still be understanding?