News And Notes - 11/19

Posted by GregF on
A few notes:

* Due to the fact that it looks like we changing comic artists in 2008, there will be no comic in January. The current plan is for the number of actual comic pages per issue to go up to 16 next year, although I have not heard yet if we are doing a total of five issues, four issues, four issues plus one online, or what. I do know first issue of the year will be in March 2008.

The reason for the change is basically Stuart having other projects to focus on and our wanting to get back to more of a 2001-2002 style with the book. I believe they are close to deciding on the new artist, but I have not heard a name yet. Will let you know when I do.

* We WILL be holding the line on prices in 2008, to the best of my knowledge, meaning the "canister" sets will still be at $9.99 as they have been in 2006-2007. This is frankly in the face of mounting and extreme pressures on us and the entire industry to raise prices. The rising cost of oil means the cost to produce plastic is way up (as well as to transport goods) -- plus a weak dollar means that the company does not make as much profit off sales in the US as it did in the past. We are staying where we are in 2008 and hoping that increased volume will make up for this, but I have a feeling you are going to see other toy companies raising prices in the coming months.

* Script for the new movie is supposed to be coming to me today for review. Once I have seen it and okayed it, it will get passed on to the rest of the team for review and approval.

Greg
Original#1
Danggit. I loved Stuart. Anyway, can't wait for the sets and the new artist!
Original#2

Does the dollar really affects Lego so much? I thought they worked in euros.
Original#3
Aravagantos
Does the dollar really affects Lego so much? I thought they worked in euros.
The sets go to the US, and people buy them in the US with USD.

Well Stuart did a good job while he was here, but I think it was a good decission. Next years theme seems like it would clash with his style.
It's a reall bummer that we don't get a Jan. comic. So it's a possibillity it will be online?
But I'm very happy that they will be 16 pages.
Original#4
So the comics are going back to an old '01 style? *goes and compares old and new ones*

Anyway, It's good to know the old style is coming back. I missed it.



Oh, and I'm excited about that new movie too. If I may ask, will it be available as a DVD like the last ones, or through that movies on demand thing I read about in Lego Magazine?




-Gakurak
Original#5
Plan for the new film is to be on DVD.

And to the other poster's question -- LEGO is based in Denmark, which operates in Danish kroner, not euros. When someone buys a set in the US, the US dollars have to be converted to kroner to get a sense of how much profit the company makes. If the dollar is weak against the kroner, then you are making less kroner per dollar and your profits go down.

Greg
Original#6
Cool, so that means that prices go up in 09?

Anyway, I hope the artist can pull off the expertise shown by the first one.

TNN
Original#7
Greg, is it possible that the Jan. comic will be online?
Original#8
Remember what he said BFN, no issue on January. But, heck, what are we going to do with our two months storyline? We DO need them! Well, at least we'll have 16 pages, in which I hope we can fill those horrible storyline holes.
Original#9
Artist wise, that sounds excellent! Although Stuart was a pleasant change from 2004-05 bland looking drawings, 2001 and 2002's comics, in my opinion, were the best in both senses of writing and art. I would love to see next years's comics with that same style. :)
Original#10
Has Lego ever considered changing to that new corn oil thing?
Original#11
What "horrible storyline holes," Night Terror?

Greg