Sure, sure. For Marvel, it’s all about New York Times advertising to get the message across. But for Rich Johnston, it’s all about hipster emailing lists. After learning that Popbitch gave his graphic novel, The Flying Friar, a mention in their latest mailing - “Science v religion in this rather beautiful new graphic novel,” apparently - he did what any smart marketer would do, and bought a classified ad on the front page of the Popbitch website:
The Flying Friar - a new graphic novel by Rich Johnston about a 17th century Italian saint who could fly and his best friend and grand nephew of Martin Luther, Lux. Religion vs science, friend vs friend, power vs superpower. Smallville meets The Name Of The Rose.
It may not have the quantity of readers of the NYT, but the quality…? Hmmm…
November 2nd, 2007 at 7:38 pm
On the back of the Popbitch mention/classified ad, an editor from a London book publisher picked up “Flying Friar” from Gosh Comics. They emailed me and requested a lunch meeting next week to see if I have any other graphic novel ideas.
I believe that’s one of the more cost effective ads I’ve ever placed.
November 3rd, 2007 at 3:53 am
Didn’t Rich Johnston write for Popbitch?
Isn’t that like Newsarama giving a positive review to Phantom Jack?