tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252129938551938631.post4423720111222829456..comments2024-03-25T22:28:29.238-04:00Comments on Tony Isabella's Bloggy Thing: ANATOMY OF A SCAM?Tony Isabellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07356415470545816484noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252129938551938631.post-66725056273536947502011-12-06T12:50:51.755-05:002011-12-06T12:50:51.755-05:00Maggie Thompson said...
"There's no reas...Maggie Thompson said... <br />"There's no reason for anyone today to provide one-of-a-kind images by sending the actual original item. I'd think asking for such should be a huge warning to anyone being asked to provide it."<br /><br />Maggie, yes of course...but in the situation Tony references, the creator was elderly and essentially computer illiterate (you knew him) and he had no idea that scans or even good photocopies were as sound as original art.<br /><br />By the time he learned that, it was too late. His work had been shipped overseas, most of it never to be seen again...except on Ebay.<br /><br />Mark EllisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252129938551938631.post-16531303818954187382011-12-05T11:52:52.464-05:002011-12-05T11:52:52.464-05:00This is truly horrible. So many creators who shou...This is truly horrible. So many creators who should be cherished for their contributions to the industry we love are in dire need of help because the industry will not or cannot care for them. That alone is sad enough. That someone would prey on them in their time of need is so sad.<br /><br />Tony, as an attorney with a big firm, I am limited with regard to how much I can do for free and I am really a litigator, not an "agent." But if I can help in some way, please let me know (you can do it through facebook).<br /><br />Andy TurkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252129938551938631.post-36162491328675275532011-12-05T06:44:12.592-05:002011-12-05T06:44:12.592-05:00Reading this made me feel I'll for the poor cr...Reading this made me feel I'll for the poor creators that have been taken by whoever this con man is.Crowleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17026940862605438236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252129938551938631.post-59321864110042432252011-12-05T00:32:28.179-05:002011-12-05T00:32:28.179-05:00Tony, this is the first time I've visited your...Tony, this is the first time I've visited your blog even though I've seen your name around since the heyday of the independents in the 80's. I'm sorry it took so long! That being said, I have been a "victim" of sorts. I won't name names, but I worked in good faith with a publisher that paid me in the past, but concerning a more recent job, I had to wait almost 2 years before getting paid. In fairness to the publisher I WAS eventually paid, but as we all know the economy is very bad right now and I could have used that money on time to avoid some difficulties I had to endure because of the delayed payment. <br /><br />The publisher's excuse was that the economy had affected him as well and he was unable to pay me on time as promised. How does one argue with that if you live it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252129938551938631.post-86523569817092949862011-12-05T00:26:14.684-05:002011-12-05T00:26:14.684-05:00Three cheers Tony. I truly feel this was one of yo...Three cheers Tony. I truly feel this was one of your Edward R. Morrow moments. May the predators in this field learn to fear something in the night. if not a real-life caped crusader, perhaps simply... truth.Alexhttp://www.simmonshereandnow.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252129938551938631.post-90098241499598549092011-12-04T18:56:08.219-05:002011-12-04T18:56:08.219-05:00I think you did a great job of explaining the idea...I think you did a great job of explaining the idea of the scam so that everyone can keep an eye out for things similar. It doesn't matter that you did not name names. We have the info we need to be on alert, and that's all we need.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252129938551938631.post-21652578438562659652011-12-04T16:53:51.737-05:002011-12-04T16:53:51.737-05:00This is a good tale Tony, the sad part is, that th...This is a good tale Tony, the sad part is, that these scammers also make it harder for honest pros/fans to pursue ideas to produce similar projects idolizing the comics heroes that inspired them. A good caution is that someone who knows what they are doing and has half a brain about the reality of handling original work, won't need or want to handle the original art. If someone on the artist's side can provide a good scan that should be all you need.Mike Gagnonhttp://www.mikegagnon.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252129938551938631.post-91646191721809581472011-12-04T14:17:41.499-05:002011-12-04T14:17:41.499-05:00There's no reason for anyone today to provide ...There's no reason for anyone today to provide one-of-a-kind images by sending the actual original item. I'd think asking for such should be a huge warning to anyone being asked to provide it. In the past, yes: That was pretty much how publishers had to work. These days? There are scans and copies of photos, etc. - all available in sizes that will permit appropriate reproduction in publishers' projects. I just bought a backup hard drive that will hold a terabyte; worst-case scenario, material can be scanned with a fine enough dpi that it'll be better than a printer needs to reproduce.Maggie Thompsonhttp://www.maggiethompson.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252129938551938631.post-5994416967414088662011-12-04T08:56:26.725-05:002011-12-04T08:56:26.725-05:00I don't know you, Matthew, so I can't vouc...I don't know you, Matthew, so I can't vouch for your history of working with creators. But I will say that, if your business models actually brings money or exposure to the creators...and they understand there are no guarantees...and if there is some way for them to verify the amount of money collected from their work...that it's not remotely like the scam profile I was writing about.Tony Isabellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07356415470545816484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252129938551938631.post-65907131575239732382011-12-04T08:41:09.842-05:002011-12-04T08:41:09.842-05:00I'm new to your Blog and today's topic is ...I'm new to your Blog and today's topic is especially interesting because of why I'm searching for African American Comic Book creators.<br /><br />At the risk of sounding like I fit the profile you just wrote about, let me float an idea.<br /><br />If an artist has an archive of digital material already published online; maybe there is a way to re-purpose that content to his own benefit.<br /><br />Why not offer a serialized version of work that has already been released -- but use African American Newspaper web sites as an outlet. Part of the deal you'd cut would be their agreeing to link back to YOUR web site, where you could market your latest PAYING project. <br /><br />Also, format the comic page to include paid advertising on each side of the art panels. One side goes to the local newspaper and one side to the artist. It won't be a lot of money but it is something. The real prize is the increased traffic to your own web site.<br /><br />The television industry does this all the time. They call it a Barter system when they split commercial inventory between the local station and the syndication company.<br /><br />Black newspapers are struggling and could benefit from fresh and unique content.<br /><br />Imagine a consortium of artists, each re-purposing some of their older work for limited runs. If the stuff is already out there at least you'd have the opportunity to create a broader audience.<br /><br />Jus' Sayin'<br /><br />MatthewLMixon@gmail.comMatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01509475673396223332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252129938551938631.post-61764925364359581062011-12-04T07:53:34.361-05:002011-12-04T07:53:34.361-05:00Thank you for sharing this cautionary tale. Hopefu...Thank you for sharing this cautionary tale. Hopefully it will serve its purpose of warning those creators who may be approached by those who are out to scam them.<br /><br />I, too, have heard several sad tales (which I got from a very reputable source) of creators being taken advantage of, largely because they were nice guys who wanted to take someone under their wing and share their experiences and art.<br /><br />Makes me want to get up a posse and hunt some of these weasels down!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com