What's the Deal With Zenoscope?
shaneb
Posts: 109
I am a little curious if anyone out there is a die hard fan of Zenoscope. I have almost never heard anyone mention them, they are always at the bottom of the sales numbers, but they also seem to publish relatively consistently and so there has to be a fanbase here. CGS has mentioned them only negatively, and so I am just wondering what it is about Zenoscope that sets them apart and why folks are critical of them. Is there something unique about their publishing model?
Comments
Artistic style - They draw a beautiful...beautiful woman...in the same vein as Aspen*, Big Dog, and a number of other companies who follow a similar style. And I have ZERO problems with that - it gets people to at least pick up the issue. But you'll note I said "woman" up there, not "women" - because pretty much all these artists are following the same style and essentially drawing the same woman every single time - only the hair and clothes have changed. Don't get me wrong - all these artists are talented, talented folk who I certainly can't hold a candle to - but they might as well all be one artist as far as my wallet is concerned. Or to coin a phrase - "you only need one porno". :)
* Aspen get a pass because their books are usually as good on the inside as outside. I can't always say that about the other companies, though Big Dog has some good titles and their recent move to be an imprint of Aspen might bear fruit for them. I've met a few of their crew, and they're good people.
Fanbase - Yes, there is one, and they're quite dedicated. I'm assuming they're collecting the books for the cover art. I've read a few titles, and have yet to find one worth collecting.
I've got nothing against them...they're a regular presence at the conventions I work...but they're simply not for me. Mainly for that first reason, above. I know too many artists who've been burned by them to feel like I ought to support them with my money, no matter how pretty the covers are.