I'd like to ask all you good folk who visit this site for help. I am
told that, like Two Hot Girls On A Hot Summer's Night that was reprinted
in Spanish. So, to make things a little clearer a couple of older
articles!
Apparently,illegal downloads of my Eros book Two Hot Girls have
reached over 200,000. For Maeve it’s said to be similar -far higher
than I’d previously thought.
Well,even 50p for each illegal download would make me happy.
Apparently the three French editions [THREE??!] and Spanish collection
are all above board and legal contracts signed between the companies
and Fantagraphics [the Eros publisher] -two French editions published in
France and one in Canada. The contract between myself andFantagraphics
clearly reads they have
first English language edition rights but no foreign language rights as I’d stipulated. Anyforeign language editions I was not consulted about or paid for.
Let me make it very clear,my series were reprinted several times
against the terms of my contract -I was never told. The collected books
were without my knowledge.
I was told in writing and by phone [before the internet became common
usage] that copies of the books had been seized and destroyed in
Canada,Australia,New Zealand and the UK so were a financial loss to the
company.
Incorrect. I’ve been checking with customs authorities in those
countries on seizure issues and mentioned the series involved. Some
checked back as far as 1989 [?] but all say that no such comic title or
book was ever seized and destroyed. Asking comic industry experts in
those countries I learn that the Two Girls series sold “very well” and
there was never a shortage of copies.
Myself and Art Wetherell never got royalties for those sales. Fantagraphics said they weren’t sold there.
Someone asked me whether it was worth publishing your own comics or trying to get a publisher? My response:publish yourself.
It is so annoying that so many individuals make money from a creator
while the creator makes a pittance. Is the comic industry more above
board these days? No.
Think very seriously before going into a comic creating career and
get everything in writing [even though I did it hasn't helped!].
I’ve found no fewer than six fax copies, four letters and notes on phone
conversations to/with Eros Comics re. ‘pirating’ of the books I wrote
for then. When I complained that Eros/Fantagraphics were letting these
people get away I was told “Fantagraphics is too small to mount a legal
pursuit of these people”. When I got responses from two of the
companies stating the books were published under license Gary Groth
responded with “More Hooper hyberbole!!”
And then.....
above:Kiss Comix carried a serialisation of Two Hot Girls as Dos Chicos Calientes
Every single ‘illegal’ printed version of the Eros Comix
series/graphic novel Two Hot Girls I have come across have all got
indeces stating that the books were published under license from
Fantagraphic Books (Eros being an imprint).
Quite by accident I have tonight learned that Fantagraphics took
money for other foreign editions but never gave Art Wetherell or myself a
single cent -they never even told us.
Now, the contracts we had stated that Fantagraphics only had first
edition English language rights. That didn’t stop them from printing
second, third or, later, the collected book without telling us or
renegotiating.
The contract says, very clearly, that Fantagraphics has NO FOREIGN
LANGUAGE RIGHTS. Had their been enquiries we should have been told as
the creators.
Apparently Two Hot Girls was published in parts in Kiss Comic. I’d
have loved a copy for the archives. There was a Spanish language
collection that missed out the vital link in the story!!
You see, prior to the internet publishers, even if you had a legal
contract, got away with a lot and probably hoped never to be caught out.
Every time I found ‘pirate’ editions I told Fantagraphics who told me
there was nothing they could do legally. Right. I’d certainly like to
track down other foreign editions…if anyone knows of them (I know about
the French editions but there was also a French Canadian edition) let me
know please.
below #9 with Two Hot Girls
Now Maeve was published in 1997 and Kim Thomson informed me by email in
2005, when I suggested re-promoting the books, that it, like 2HGs "has
had its day"....but Fantagraphic Books, as Eros Comix has continued to
sell it and it is STILL listed in Previews catalogue.
Totally without the permission of David Gordon or myself and certainly
with no contract and no monies having come from Fantagraphics for
years. Now I learn there was a French edition of Maeve and one in
Spanish -possibly under another title but using the original cover image
(below).
PLEASE if you know of any non-English versions of these books get in
touch -if you know the publisher or have a cover scan that would be
great.
Please help support the stopping of creators being ripped off by publishers.
