Platinum Comics' Next Transformation
A Brand New Name with Brand New Titles are Coming August 4th
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Platinum Comics' thirteenth year was successful enough to give president and founder Jim Whaley the confidence to continue at a break-neck pace through its fourteenth anniversary. However, when September 2003 struck, so did a tidal wave of delays that plagued the company throughout the year. Unfamiliar Reflection arrived on shelves five months later than its November '03 target, and Seven to Seven has released only one single issue, #8, so far this year. Evil Jim even had some rough times, being shelved temporarily during the holiday season so that Jim could concentrate on Unfamiliar Reflection's finale.
But the final nail in the company's coffin has come in recent weeks. "Most people know that, for over a year, I've been trying to give the company a more original name. The 'Platinum Comics' title turns up quite a few hits on a typical Google search, and that's got me worried about our future copyright security," came the official concern from Jim Whaley today. "Finally, I've come up with a name that's more original AND slightly more catchy."
What IS this new title? " 'Cat-Brained Comics,' because 'Black Cat,' 'Shadowcat,' and 'Cobalt Cat' are all taken," Jim said with a smirk.
The name change will take place on the company's 14th anniversary, on August 4, 2004. And it couldn't come at a more convenient time. With Unfamiliar Reflection and Evil Jim completed, a brand name switch won't confuse readers of those series, who may worry that the comics have changed hands. "The only series that will really carry over to the Cat-Brained label is Seven to Seven, but with production on this series as bad as it is now, a change like this couldn't hurt it any more than it's been hurt already."
Such a lack of confidence from its own creator may come as a shock to most people, but Jim is quick to point out that he hasn't given up faith in the 727 title. "I always finish what I start. It'll just take some time to get the series back on track. It's going through a rough patch now, but hopefully I'll be able to pick up the plot and put together an enjoyable final four issues." When will issue nine be out on store shelves? "Probably not for a while," he says. "We just released issue number eight in the Free Comic Book Day promotion. Hopefully that will spark a renewed interest in the book. I'll be working on the next issue when I have the time."
But time has rarely been on Jim's side these past months. And now rumors are circulating that he's been solicited to help another unknown source to start up a new webcomic. When asked about the truth to this situation, Jim only said "I've made a few commitments, and hopefully they'll pan out. The last thing I want to do at this stage is make any promises or raise false hopes for new material coming down the line."
Speaking of new material, the Platinum Comics Free Comic Book Day Sampler included reprints of Unfamiliar Reflection and Evil Jim. However, it also sported a full-page teaser for a new series, Hero of Silvera. "This is the long-anticipated New Series 32. Some may remember me dropping hints about this series for over a year. Well, it's gonna happen. It'll take a year or so, maybe, but it'll happen."
Analysts worry that the name change to Cat-Brained Comics so soon after people have discovered Platinum Comics with the Free Comic Book promotion will jolt potential readers off the company bandwagon. "It will no doubt bring an element of confusion, but I'm afraid the current name situation will be better off solved now, rather than later."
This is the second name change for the company. Jim W. Comics was founded in August 1990, and changed its name to Platinum Comics in January 1997. "Who knows? Maybe Cat-Brained's name will only last seven years, too. Continued periods of rebirth are good for any company," Jim said hopefully. He has announced there will be a major effort to smooth the transition into the new name to minimize confusion. "We'll probably be seeing 'formerly Platinum Comics' as a tagline to most products until the end of the year. This is just another one of those hurdles we've got to get over if we're gonna finish the race."
Jim was originally aiming for "Cobalt Kitty Studios," however the discovery of a "Cobalt Cat" graphics company threw a wrench in the works. "I had already drawn up the new mascot, Cobalt Kitty himself, so I wanted to swich the name to something else feline-themed. And because Evil Jim ended up turning its title character INTO the mascot (an idea conceived only two days before the already-infamous strip #200 was posted to the internet) in the final strip, this actually makes the transition smoother. It's kind of fitting that the final comic Platinum Comics produces lead into the new brand name."
So look out world, Cat-Brained Studios is gearing up for more of the fine entertainment you've been reading for so long. The name change takes effect immediately, but it could be a month before the Platinum Comics label is completely phased out. "August is the transitory period," Jim assures.
-PC Press (soon to be the CBC Press)