Wow, at both this and the info from the last blog post... this is awesome! Can't wait to see Takanuva, Krakua, the OoMN leader, a villain from next year and the returning six heroes. Thanks Greg, you rule!
I'm totally going to put aside some money each week from my paycheck to salvage enough tender to perches all the masterpieces I can get my tiny hands on!
That's a big "Finally" on Krakua. It's also a sign that the Inika/Mahri have completed their mission that Krakua told Vakama about in order for himself to exist.
As for book sales, I agree on the issue being awareness. I mean, every once in a while I see them listed in the Lego Catalog... but I seriously think placing an advertisement within the instruction booklets would up the sales. It works for other sets, it should work for books too.
I'm sure that putting that little "For a further story, read "Bionicle Legends 8"" thing (as in 2005 with the first Hordika Comic and BA 7, or as in 2003 with promoting BC 4) in the comics again would be a good sales move.
Another idea would be promo chapters on bioniclestory.com, something enticing and cliffhanger-filled, making people aware that 1) books exist and 2) you'll find out what happens after the bit you read online... I know that the Prologue and Ch. 1 of Bionicle Legends#7 made me want to rush out and buy it...
Just some suggestions, I'm sure you have your own... but I seriously hope that they realize how much the fans who read the books love the books.
Greg, if you want to raise awareness, why not put the books on a page in the magazine, or like a small postcard-sized piece of pape in the magazines that support the books and tell people some available retailers? Or, imagine, pormoting Bionicle books in the Bionicle comics? Lol.
Ooh, I just got an idea for how you could advertise. Maybe put snippets and excerpts online, or in the magazine or comics? Something to get the reader to know about all the great stuff that goes on in the books. 8D
Anyway, SWEET! I just love it when we get more background story, and get to read about the older characters we've come to like. Can't wait next summer! ^^
We are planning to do something online to promote the books. Doing it in the magazine or in instruction books is more problematic, simply because Scholastic has to pay for that space and they don't have much of a marketing budget for licensed titles (apparently).
V.K.'s idea of footnotes in the comic is a good one and one that I like -- last time we did that, though, as I recall, BZPers had a fit about it. People were screaming that they didn't want to have to spend $5 to find out what happened, etc. (I think the comic being free has sort of spoiled people -- I mean, you don't get the Star Wars story for free or the Lord of the Rings story for free -- you have to buy the books or go to or rent the movies).
GregFV.K.'s idea of footnotes in the comic is a good one and one that I like -- last time we did that, though, as I recall, BZPers had a fit about it. People were screaming that they didn't want to have to spend $5 to find out what happened, etc. (I think the comic being free has sort of spoiled people -- I mean, you don't get the Star Wars story for free or the Lord of the Rings story for free -- you have to buy the books or go to or rent the movies).
Amen to that. Spoiled people… sheesh why can't people think anymore?
So does this mean we'll finally get to see a Toa-Of-A-Not-Standard-Element in action, I wonder?
-- First appearance in story of the leader of the Order of Mata Nui
Interesting. I thought of the Order as all being equal, with Mata Nui being their leader, and all of them having specific jobs within the Order.
-- Just what are those krana-kraata hybrids from way back in BA #10?
I think many of us are waiting for this.
-- The origin of the Bohrok
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!
While Book 10 will feature some of main story, it is probably going to start a trend of the books being a little bit more side story and mystery revelations as opposed to having to carry the entire load of telling story for the year.
That's awesome! To be honest, I was getting tired of the comics being super-condensed versions of the books.
Hm...this worries me...the comics are good and all, but they have never been the best at conveying the story. Then again, I suppose if the story is simplified in the first place it won't be so hard to tell it convincingly.
Just please, don't make Sayger draw anymore scenes like the one where Nuparu "accidentally" shoots off his Cordak launcher
(If you haven't seen it...well, while it works in the book, such a scene is nigh impossible to illustrate convincingly...)
This is why you're one of the best authors. You're not cold or unapproachable, you're friendly; you talk to the fans, you know what they want, and then you deliver. Greg, you are awesome.
GregFCap'n -- My last info is that sales have not improved that much. On the plus side, Scholastic has some new people working with us on marketing ideas for the book (including the Amazon blog I have started doing) so maybe those will help. I firmly believe a lot of the issue is awareness -- most BIONICLE fans simply have no idea there are books at all.
Greg
Thats so cool! I cant wait to see bionicle of 2008! I was hoping that you would make a Great Kiril next year, but I still look forward to seeing 2008-2009. Also i was hoping for the Bahrag Twins in Toa form, from the matoran mythology. I hope that one day a Great Kiril will come out cuz I cant finish my my Toa Hinuku Icon lol. Well, best of luck with bionicle, hope there is alot more to come. (Love the sound of Krakua comming out! )
I believe at least some of the books are sold through the Shop At Home site, but not sure if there is a link to that on BIONICLE.com -- good question.
One piece of good news I have is that there WILL be a comic in January, as opposed to a poster. Far as I know, at most we will go back to the 12 pages an issue, and I think the "what has happened before" section may come back -- a lot of kids asked for that.
SWEET!!!!!
I'm totally going to put aside some money each week from my paycheck to salvage enough tender to perches all the masterpieces I can get my tiny hands on!
Love you Greg!!!
Ranna
As for book sales, I agree on the issue being awareness. I mean, every once in a while I see them listed in the Lego Catalog... but I seriously think placing an advertisement within the instruction booklets would up the sales. It works for other sets, it should work for books too.
I'm sure that putting that little "For a further story, read "Bionicle Legends 8"" thing (as in 2005 with the first Hordika Comic and BA 7, or as in 2003 with promoting BC 4) in the comics again would be a good sales move.
Another idea would be promo chapters on bioniclestory.com, something enticing and cliffhanger-filled, making people aware that 1) books exist and 2) you'll find out what happens after the bit you read online... I know that the Prologue and Ch. 1 of Bionicle Legends#7 made me want to rush out and buy it...
Just some suggestions, I'm sure you have your own... but I seriously hope that they realize how much the fans who read the books love the books.
-VK-
Return of old stuf... nice.
~Sr. G
-Taki
Anyway, SWEET! I just love it when we get more background story, and get to read about the older characters we've come to like. Can't wait next summer! ^^
MB has spoken
V.K.'s idea of footnotes in the comic is a good one and one that I like -- last time we did that, though, as I recall, BZPers had a fit about it. People were screaming that they didn't want to have to spend $5 to find out what happened, etc. (I think the comic being free has sort of spoiled people -- I mean, you don't get the Star Wars story for free or the Lord of the Rings story for free -- you have to buy the books or go to or rent the movies).
Greg
Greg
Amen to that.
Spoiled people…
Ranna
So does this mean we'll finally get to see a Toa-Of-A-Not-Standard-Element in action, I wonder?
-- First appearance in story of the leader of the Order of Mata Nui
Interesting. I thought of the Order as all being equal, with Mata Nui being their leader, and all of them having specific jobs within the Order.
-- Just what are those krana-kraata hybrids from way back in BA #10?
I think many of us are waiting for this.
-- The origin of the Bohrok
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!
While Book 10 will feature some of main story, it is probably going to start a trend of the books being a little bit more side story and mystery revelations as opposed to having to carry the entire load of telling story for the year.
That's awesome! To be honest, I was getting tired of the comics being super-condensed versions of the books.
All in all, I'm loving 2008 already.
-TBC
Just please, don't make Sayger draw anymore scenes like the one where Nuparu "accidentally" shoots off his Cordak launcher
(If you haven't seen it...well, while it works in the book, such a scene is nigh impossible to illustrate convincingly...)
Waiting for more books and extra info in those!
-CF
This is why you're one of the best authors. You're not cold or unapproachable, you're friendly; you talk to the fans, you know what they want, and then you deliver. Greg, you are awesome.
Thats so cool! I cant wait to see bionicle of 2008! I was hoping that you would make a Great Kiril next year, but I still look forward to seeing 2008-2009. Also i was hoping for the Bahrag Twins in Toa form, from the matoran mythology.
I like that one
Greg, why doesn't LEGO sell the books on the website?
One piece of good news I have is that there WILL be a comic in January, as opposed to a poster. Far as I know, at most we will go back to the 12 pages an issue, and I think the "what has happened before" section may come back -- a lot of kids asked for that.
Greg