1992 MARVEL MASTERPIECES 30th Anniversary Book

[Fenian95]

Another note.

Oddly enough my parcel isn't coming from PA but from Las Vegas.

Anyone else get the same?

[HiltonL]

Henderson NV is a logistics hub that is used by a good number of companies.
To me, it's not surprising that the actual shipping of books is being handled by a third party. Think "Backerkit" - a very common third party handler for Kickstarters

[MMguy]

Received tracking email on 9/17.

Package was delivered yesterday.

Forgot the tiers but mine came signed, ###/500, and I received the digest.

Overall it's an amazing book, I read the Joe Jusko portion (very interesting and really shows how amazing his skills are given the tight timeline).

But...my excitement wasn't the same as it was when this was announced.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by MMguy

Received tracking email on 9/17.

Package was delivered yesterday.

Forgot the tiers but mine came signed, ###/500, and I received the digest.

Overall it's an amazing book, I read the Joe Jusko portion (very interesting and really shows how amazing his skills are given the tight timeline).

But...my excitement wasn't the same as it was when this was announced.

So the signed/limited edition is #’d out of only 500? That’s pretty impressive….I thought it was supposed to be out of the full run, /1992.

Still waiting for even a tracking number here. Can’t wait to read the book.

[BobCollects]

Hrm.

The Limited Signed & Numbered Edition only had 399 backers. According to an FPG comment from the July update: "All of the slipcased editions are sold out and we did not print any extra ones."

So there should only be 399 copies of the Limited Signed & Numbered Edition if FPG truly didn't print any extras, right? That's nowhere near close to 500. I wouldn't be surprised if FPG made extras to sell, which is shady.

I also wouldn't be surprised if there are legitimate reasons to have 101 extras, like needing copies to give Joe Jusko, copies to hand out to FPG folks, copies for Marvel, copies for UD, maybe keeping a few in case books are damaged in shipping.

[MMguy]

I'll double check the # when I get home (I was coming off a 12-hour shift, so if I made a mistake, apologies in advance).

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by BobCollects

Hrm.

The Limited Signed & Numbered Edition only had 399 backers. According to an FPG comment from the July update: "All of the slipcased editions are sold out and we did not print any extra ones."

So there should only be 399 copies of the Limited Signed & Numbered Edition if FPG truly didn't print any extras, right? That's nowhere near close to 500. I wouldn't be surprised if FPG made extras to sell, which is shady.

I also wouldn't be surprised if there are legitimate reasons to have 101 extras, like needing copies to give Joe Jusko, copies to hand out to FPG folks, copies for Marvel, copies for UD, maybe keeping a few in case books are damaged in shipping.

/399 or /500…not too far off I guess, and I think either sounds decent for a large scale book. But I thought I remember it being said they sold the remaining of the 1992 books to a large-scale retailer to resell (there were 1992 spots available for the pledge…1992 possible books). UNLESS maybe those remaining ones won’t be signed and numbered. So maybe that’s what it is. Not sure.

[Fenian95]

They did post that all unsold signed copies went to a reseller.

Maybe the funds for the metal cards came from not printing 1000 of those books?

Who even knows?

[fabiani12333]

My books arrived -- very quick two-day shipping (probably because I'm in Cali, which is next Nevada):

[DynaEtch]

Wow….that looks really cool. Happy for you fabiani!

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by Grid

Correct. If anything, there would have been a delay in shipping the bronze "cards" as UD had the US exclusive for trading cards. Yet those shipped a while ago.

Hmm -- those were bonuses, though. And they're not traditional cards.

Upper Deck doesn't own the trademarks or copyrights to MM92, so I would think Marvel would have been the one to delay release.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

Wow….that looks really cool. Happy for you fabiani!

Thanks, Dyna. Hopefully yours ship soon.

[MMguy]

Yup, inside my book is #435/500.

[BobCollects]

I still wish we'd gotten the plain black slipcase shown in the original campaign. It was simple and elegant.

And I think we'll have to add the question of why FPG printed 500 copies of the signed and numbered book, after stating the extras up to 1992 were sold to an unnamed retailer and later claiming no extras were printed, to the long list of mysteries relating to this truly bizarre and frustrating Kickstarter campaign.

My package is currently in Illinois, still scheduled to arrive by the end of the day on Monday. Finally, it seems our long, first-world-problem nightmare is coming to an end. It won't truly be over until Dyna's books arrive, however.

[Dukefett]

I got my books last night, basic level, they look great but haven't cracked them open yet. Finally the ordeal is over! lol

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by BobCollects

My package is currently in Illinois, still scheduled to arrive by the end of the day on Monday. Finally, it seems our long, first-world-problem nightmare is coming to an end. It won't truly be over until Dyna's books arrive, however.

Could be awhile lol.

I really did think the mid tiers would be /1992 so /500 is sounding pretty good to me in a limited sense.

It’s great to see these rolling in and people getting them.

[bkcardcollector]

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

My books arrived -- very quick two-day shipping (probably because I'm in Cali, which is next Nevada):

... waiting for you to open

[Xazark]

I think I remember that there were 399 backers but people could purchase multiple books in the one order by just adding additional funds so maybe that along with some extras for promo or whatever is the /500 - I dont think it makes that big of a difference, being numbered at all is actually good imo.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by Xazark

I think I remember that there were 399 backers but people could purchase multiple books in the one order by just adding additional funds so maybe that along with some extras for promo or whatever is the /500 - I dont think it makes that big of a difference, being numbered at all is actually good imo.

Ah good point, people attached them to OA pledges for example. And then multiples too. That would explain it.

I also agree /400 or /500 is almost the same thing. It’s pretty awesome and limited.

Anyone else here who also is still waiting for a tracking #?

[jdandns]

I'm not sure I ever received the tracking, but I got my books today in California. Sharp lookin' tomes, for sure. Took a little longer that usual, certainly, but my streak of being happy with every KS I've backed remains intact. Thanks, FPG.

[Fenian95]

Mr. Jusko himself just posted on the MMC forum regarding people being unhappy.

Here is his take on why the book took so long.

If I may beg a few moments of your time.
I've seen a few posts by people looking to sell the MM 92 Kickstarter book and premiums because it "took too long" and they no longer have any interest.
I'm sorry that some feel that way.

The book was greatly delayed due to several unavoidable reasons, including that the art scans/film that FPG was told would be available was unfortunately discovered to have been lost over the years.

Rather than cancel the book when that reality became apparent they instead chose to track down each individual piece to reshoot from collections around the world. That obviously took an inordinate amount of time and to make up for that delay they kept adding bonus after bonus to compensate for the delay.

I also put everything I could into the book, from the Kickstarter paintings to numerous photos, premiums and magazine/newspaper coverage from my archives. I miraculously uncovered the initial card sketches that sat boxed in an envelope for the past 30 years and are now being seen publicly for the very first time.

We are all proud of the book that was produced and I hope you'll at least take a look through it before deciding to dump it. Yeah, it took a while, but I think the final product is well worth the wait.
Thanks, and (hopefully) enjoy!
Have a great weekend!

[bub838]

A calm, mature and well reasoned response. Also informational.

If only FPG had been capable of that over the last two years.

[DynaEtch]

Have any OA tier backers received a tracking number yet?

[HiltonL]

My two cents, and yes I did make this public comment on Jusko's FB post.

Why couldn't FPG have said any of this? Why is explaining any of this falling to the artist? Why cover up what was happening?

The only reason Jusko made his post (I'm assuming) is that he's trying to protect his reputation or something which is kind of ridiculous. People have opinions, they're gonna think what they're gonna think and you can't stop them. The books are done and if people decide to sell them, then why is that any of Jusko's concern? It's a sensitivity issue on Jusko's part.

Of course I have thoughts and opinions on this, I'm a pledge on the KS. But execution of the book, and feedback on the KS itself is not Jusko's responsibility. What people do with the book once they've received it is no longer Jusko's concern. He shouldn't take things so personally

[BobCollects]

And the reason FPG couldn’t share any of what Jusko wrote is?

Why couldn’t FPG tell us about scouring the globe searching for physical pieces of artwork. Instead we were fed what now seem like lies or at least half-truths about vague delays. The only possible reason I can come up with is FPG was afraid if word got out, owners of the original artwork would start demanding huge amounts of money. I’d love to know more about the search. It would honestly make for an interesting documentary, in my opinion.

I sort of remember reading something about artwork scans going missing but it definitely wasn’t clearly and widely shared by FPG.

It’s honestly infuriating to find out there was a legitimate reason for the delays. Two reasons if we count the printer or printers in the United States that reportedly went bankrupt, forcing FPG to find an overseas printer. But we only know that because of random comments left by FPG.

I also find it wildly unprofessional that the Kickstarter campaign was launched before FPG had secured the art scans. You don’t make promises to backers without knowing you can deliver. It’s too bad whoever assured FPG the art scans existed was wrong but FPG should’ve found that out before asking backers for money.

I plan on enjoying the heck out of the book when it arrives but that enjoyment will always be tinged with memories of frustration and annoyance.

I swear I’m not usually this bitter and cynical. I had too much time on my hands at just the wrong moment and this post is the result.

Edit: HiltonL posted while I was writing up my diatribe. I see I’m not the only one wondering why we didn’t hear about this from FPG and much earlier.

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