1992 MARVEL MASTERPIECES 30th Anniversary Book

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

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.

I was just thinking about this the other day. I'm kind of curious to know when attitudes would change. It would make for an interesting science experiment:

[glorbgorb]

Is anyone in this thread posting in the Kickstarter with their questions or opinions?

[jdandns]

Originally Posted by 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.

All great points.

At the very heart of Kickstarter is the noble idea that consumers are able to help something come to fruition that probably wouldn't have happened with their financial backing. With that in mind, producers of the "rewards" should be eternally grateful to the champions of their endeavors who are paying for some small piece of it well in advance. It's a pledge made both ways, but with only one of those promises fulfilled instantly.

Items should be produced as quickly as quality allows, and any delays beyond the original time-frame for delivery should be explained regularly and with great courtesy, and even more so on both counts as time goes by. Further, every campaign could be a backers first, and the manner in which it is fulfilled (or not) would certainly have a marked effect on their willingness to back other campaigns going forward. It is the sole responsibility of those who have asked for your trust to make good on that.

I'll be very glad when we have all our books. I am indeed a very patient person, but at this point, I find any degree of frustration others may feel to be totally understandable. I can now say this is the longest I've waited for any item (out of approximately a dozen KS campaigns), and some of those were seemingly far more complicated affairs.

[jdandns]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

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?

That was a joke, Fab.

[BobCollects]

Originally Posted by glorbgorb

Is anyone in this thread posting in the Kickstarter with their questions or opinions?

There's really no point. Either FPG won't provide details or for some reason things have gotten so out of hand they truly have no idea what's going on. I'm not sure which of those options is worse.

Here's a response FPG gave an hour ago to someone in the comments to the latest update who asked for better communication and information:

We have no new information ourselves, but we wanted to say something to stay in touch because we DO understand how hard it is to wait for this. We understand our backers better than we hope anyone else does. We are of the same mentality, we collect the same books, toys, merchandise, etc, and we love the art and follow the same artists that you do.

We honestly can read the sincerity in your words and it makes us feel good that you are so excited to receive the book. FPG has been in publishing for 35+ years. We have never NOT delivered the highest quality product. Yes, no doubt manufacturing delays have not made the last few years easy, but really Jordan, please believe that there is no conspiracy going on. We simply cannot pin down the exact delivery date. We are doing everything in our power to get them here. We cannot share information that we just don't have.

Direct link to the latest update: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects.../posts/3997466

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

I was just thinking about this the other day. I'm kind of curious to know when attitudes would change. It would make for an interesting science experiment:

I think there is a built-in bias in the comments to not voice concerns due to the nature of some extras only going to certain backers and not others (yea yea, it says it's random...). I view this as a bit of a conflict of interest.

Originally Posted by glorbgorb

Is anyone in this thread posting in the Kickstarter with their questions or opinions?

I have posted on some updates. I have noticed they dont seem to be responding much in the way of concrete details to these types of comments asking for info.

[Fenian95]

I am pretty peeved. Double talk and deflections all the way. Would not ever do a Kickstarter with FPG again based on their abysmal communication.

I would have been a lot more forgiving if they had come out at the time and said something like :Sorry, our printer just went out of business with no notice"

I notice Frank Kadar just joined the angry backer train as well. Never good to get influential artists mad at you I would imagine.

On that note this just posted:

IMPORTANT UPDATE TOMORROW. When our crew gets back in the office.

Sammy

Not that necessarily means anything.

It could be them finally admitting the book shipped from China or whatever.

It could be another round of bread and circuses to try and quiet the masses.

Please stay tuned I guess.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by Fenian95

IMPORTANT UPDATE TOMORROW. When our crew gets back in the office.

Sammy

Not that necessarily means anything.

It could be them finally admitting the book shipped from China or whatever.

It could be another round of bread and circuses to try and quiet the masses.

Please stay tuned I guess.

Would fall out of my chair if the update was 'Books have arrived and we're shipping them out!'

Anything else...'great news! Books look like they will be arriving by late January', 'we are just waiting on the finishing touches', 'we are adding this awesome extra!' etc....I will no longer believe or get optimistic about. In fact I'll be quite skeptical. "Fool me 7 times....."

[Fenian95]

OK from a nee comment is looks like we will be getting access to a pdf of the book today.

I just cannot believe how condescending his comments have gotten lately though. It's unbelievable.

Latest one is we've sold millions of books we won't screw you over.

Hey Jason! If you've been following along, we have had a lot more other things needed for our project; metals for the metal cards, types of metals for the thick, solid bronze and solid silver cards, and so on. You WILL be thrilled with the finished products!

We have over 200 million in sales over 35 years. PLEASE trust that we will not screw you on your pledge! Really and sincerely... AND expect an update today where you will be able to go and view a pdf of the art book. WE REALLY ARE SYMPATHETIC TO HOW LONG THIS HAS TAKEN!

[DynaEtch]

Huh, well as expected it doesnt seem to be a 'books are getting ready to ship' update. I dont understand why they cant be ultra-specific, ultra-transparent about what's going on. I dont want to hear about how many years they've been in business, how much $ they've done in sales......this is being handled terribly!

And it appears the backers' attitudes are finally changing tone a bit, probably since it's into 2024 now. People are finally speaking up.

So now it's the solid bronze and silver metal materials partly causing the delays? (arent some of these EXTRAS). Or is it the overseas shipping of the printed books.....which is it I wonder, and why are we still in the dark about what's going on.

[DynaEtch]

Not sure what to think about the book in pdf as a preview. The whole point was to have the book show up and enjoy the read and art. Not really into my first glimpse of this book being through a pdf on a screen. That'll dampen the experience of the book when it finally comes, if it does.

[glorbgorb]

I'm not even going to look at the pdf. I haven't been as 'fire and brimstone' as many of you, but I paid for a physical book. This seems like a delay tactic.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by glorbgorb

I'm not even going to look at the pdf. I haven't been as 'fire and brimstone' as many of you, but I paid for a physical book. This seems like a delay tactic.

It seems to indicate the project isn't close to being delivered, or may never be delivered, and the PDF is a way to hold us over and at least allow us to be able to read its contents. Either that, or it's just a sampling of the book to let us know it's actually being made.

I just want to read the book. If a PDF is all I get, that's fine. If and when the project is fulfilled, I'll happily add it to my collection.

[BobCollects]

I didn't pay $300 for a PDF.

Also, I don't think FPG is thinking this through. Releasing a PDF version to backers means the PDF will quickly leak beyond backers and be freely available to anyone and everyone. I can't think of a scenario in which FPG can keep the PDF locked down.

[DynaEtch]

I am also not gonna be looking at the pdf as a preview.

I mean the fact we are discussing *if* the books will even be made is quite something. I have thousands into this project. As do several others Im sure. If I were backing a base book, I could see myself taking the approach 'well hopefully it gets made, if it comes, it comes'- cant really do that, considering how much of my money they have. Trying to be polite as possible in the communications, but I have to say I am so dissappointed with how this is being handled and the near zero-transparency. Im not a veteran kickstarter user, but from the other comments from people who have backed other projects, they are saying this is not normal.

I am starting to question so much now, including recent updates this book has been finished. The lack of concrete details, and their responses to many comments seems vague. 7 of the 10 pages ITT have been about the continual delays. I said the below back on 8/5, which along with all the other predictions in this thread turned out to be true. (this prediction for the time was almost ludicrous- the updates made it seem like it'd be here September by the latest).

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

I am skeptical the book will be shipped this year.

Based on vagueness of updates (how about instead of how many years FPG has been in the business, we receive concrete info about what is going on with this project we paid for over a year ago), I am now skeptical we receive our orders in the next several months. My guess is post-summer at the least, possibly not even in 2024 at all. If it does get made, that is.

[BobCollects]

How hard is it to say "We had to change printers on [date] for [reason] and the new printer is delayed until [date]." Assuming FPG did have to change printers as someone suggested earlier. Or maybe it was a comment on the Kickstarter page. I can't remember.

If FPG truly doesn't know what's going on, that doesn't speak well for them as a company. And the attitude of whoever is posting the vague updates is off-putting to say the least. I find it hard to believe they'll be able to launch any successful Kickstarter projects after this but folks on the Internet don't always have long memories so who knows.

[Fenian95]

More shipping estimates and a pat on the back for themselves. Sickening.

Okay, the books aren't here yet. We are hoping for the end of March, but in the meantime, let's try to make things a little better. We were able to work things out so that we could send a link to a flipbook version to all backers that are interested. Please send an email request to me (SAMMY!) at: info@fpguniverse.com. And, I'll send a link straight over.

THIS NEEDS TO BE SAID. EVERYONE here is overwhelmed by the touching direct messages from 337 people about the few negative posts. 337!!!!!!! (And that's in about 12 hours!) This touches all of us in so many ways. THANK YOU.

We are quite moved by all the love. Perfect for the season and perfect for the current sometimes negative state of the world. As we always say, we have the best group of fellow collectors out there!

[fabiani12333]

Holy moly -- they actually sent me a link to the full book. I guess I'll be spending a few hours reading this baby.

I sympathize with those who committed thousands to this project like Dyna. I have no idea what's going on, but at least I can finally read the book.

[Xazark]

Yea this patting themselves on the back and constant reminder of how many years they have been in business is just so unbelievably frustrating, just be honest and transparent, most people can be accepting when you just communicate and tell them what's going on and why there are issues but the fake BS of its coming next month, every month for the last year is just absurd and completely erodes their credibility. Just be honest FFS.

[DynaEtch]

'We are hoping for the end of March'

Unreal. This is exactly what we've heard so many times to this point. My belief this happens is exactly zero.

It doesnt even make sense. The books, according to the update last month, are already finished. End of March? What in the world is taking that long? Or was that update even true?

Love how they have to add how many positive DMs they are getting to create the perception that all the backers are just hunky dory with everything (as if there is a way to verify it)- even if it were true, people know that only some backers will get the extra lotto prizes, which creates the incentive to be as understanding as positive as possible (conflict of interest). I guess asking for specific details on progress is construed as a 'negative comment'- like it's not something that basically all backers should be inquiring about this long into the project with almost no transparency.

[bub838]

End of MARCH? Now I don’t think the books have even been printed and they’re just making #@#@#@#@ up as they go.

[PurplesaurusRex]

Wow. I wonder if they sent a chunk of change to the original printer before they went under. And possibly had to scramble to find another and come up with extra funding? Seems like a disaster scenario.

[DynaEtch]

I am sensing there is a lot not being told to us backers. I have a very hard time believing something that was finished and printed by mid-Dec 2023 takes until late March 2024 (and I think we all know to take this new deadline with a gigantic grain of salt). Something's not adding up.

And the problem is.....the vast majority of the backers will continue and continue with the 'it's all good, you guys are the BEST' comments, no matter how long it's delayed and how bad the transparency is. And a large part of that is no doubt fueled by FPG handing out lotto extras to only some backers and not others- pretty ingenious really (and a huge conflict of interest which I've said multiple times). They even made a comment in the latest update, something to the effect of getting a prize or not. So as long as most people continue to support the delays without questioning, it's hard to imagine we'll see the books- they have no reason to change things, since the community is ok with it.

Props to the few backers who actually tried to get questions answered and more info from FPG in the comments. The problem is people are essentially guilted and scared away from asking the harder questions a year+ out into the project- even just asking for more transparency.

This project is really rubbing me the wrong way- I believe very little in any of these updates anymore, and the unfortunate thing is even if we do somehow get this book eons from now, it'll just be a reminder of how frustrating this project has been, how poorly it was handled. I was so excited for this book too, being a Masterpieces nut.

[BobCollects]

Unbelievable. I truly don't understand how FPG has stayed in business for 35 years with "over 200 million in sales" if this is how they communicate with customers.

[Fenian95]

I think they have hired some truly incompetent people to handle the campaign. Or FPG's owner is doing it and is completely out of touch.

This "Sammy" should 100% be fired. Their comments range from nonsense to passive-aggressive and insulting.

From Frank Kadar:

I'm quite disappointed in the lack of transparency on what's going on with this.


user avatar
FPGCreator
about 21 hours ago
FRANK! Sent you a private message.

Hope your health is good.... That's most important.

Sammy (On his way home from vacation)

I am wondering as well if they lost money somewhere. Possibly trying to get the project going now relying on pre orders outside Kickstarter to raise funds?

But that makes no sense when they are blowing $15000+ on extras like solid gold cards.

Which opens a whole nother can of worms.

I am aware of shops that were selling these on the promise of a holiday release. How many angry customers might be demanding a refund from failing to get a Christmas gift as promised?