I think it's a little unrealistic to expect a company to do something like this. I mean I'd love for them to just publish a title regardless of how little it sells, but that unfortunately isn't how buisness works.

"I just think of Dark Horse as a “big” name company (certainly Diamond treats them as such even if the bookstore market doesn’t) "

I don't think being one of the top four DM publishers really amounts to all that much, especially when you consider how wide the gap is between the "big two" and everyone else. The fact that they've had trouble keeping things that were being turned into films in print suggests that they've still got a long way to go.
But it is frustrating to see the company that first introduced me to manga years ago continue to have difficulties. Their editors are definitely some of the most passionate fans I've encountered, and I don't think that something like Eden (whose sales really are quite poor) would still be around if people like Horn weren't so passionate about it.

Well, even though intellectually I know you are right, I just think of Dark Horse as a "big" name company (certainly Diamond treats them as such even if the bookstore market doesn't) and I'm frustrated that they sometimes talk as if they are "hurting" for funds (I don't believe they are and I don't think the are losing money on Eden or Kurosagi...they probably just aren't making enough it according to *their* standards of how those books "should" sell. I think they should probably readjust their expectations, to be honest, rather than simply discontinue their manga projects ...I don't really trust them as a publisher due to that and it makes me NOT want to pick up new projects from them (It looks as though Eden, Kurosagi & Bride of the Water God may be it for me when it comes to Dark Horse manga because of that).

Thanks for dropping by to explain the publishing schedule -- I'm a big fan of the company and your titles (ASN is without a doubt one my top titles being published in English so I can't wait to read the blog update on your dinner with the mangaka), so of course, I just like to get my hands on them as soon as possible (I'm also in some strange midwestern pocket where Diamond sometimes ships your books late to my comic book store *sigh*).

Not sure where to email you directly but I'll send my information to sales at gocomi dot com (hope that will be okay). My email is oldviolin7 at aol dot com if that helps.

I'd be very excited to review Go! Comi manga for the site (you all have a lot of interesting new titles coming out this Spring & Summer)

We never give specific release dates. This is because we have zero control over the shipping process once the books leave the printer. They must go to the distributor, then to the distributor's shipping centers, then to the wholesalers and big chains' distribution centers, then the wholesalers and chains must get them to the individual stores...hopefully you get the idea. Day-and-date releases are only possible with powerhouses like Harry Potter.

If you check our website, you'll see the release date for ASN7 is simply "April." And it WILL be on shelves before the end of the month.

PSS: Email me your address and we'll put you on the comp list.

I assure you, the staff has been beating their brains out to get us caught up on our schedule, and we will be back on track beginning in June. As for "After School Nightmare" #7, it just shipped to the distributor, and should start hitting the bookshelves shortly.

Speaking of ASN, we had dinner with Setona Mizushiro last week. Look forward to a full report, including pictures, on our website blog in the next few days. (http://www.gocomi.com/index.php?module=blog)

Best,
Hunter (Pedro Bouça)

I'd be delighted to review Yen Press manga -- you can contact me at oldviolin7 at aol dot com (I might try to track down your email as well to forward that information along).

In 2004/2005, Tokyopop had a better share of the market than they do now, and they probably expected that they would be able to get more high-profile licenses when Furuba was over. That hasn't really happened; I can't think of another license they have that's still ongoing and brings that level of sales or interest. Also, the series didn't end in Japan until 2007, so they didn't know what their ending point would be. In retrospect they would have done better to put it on a steady 3-month schedule and keep it there, but that's with the benefit of hindsight, and I can't blame them for not being psychic.

First thanks for the birthday wishes!!! I was too sick yesterday to eat cake but my boyfriend greeted me today with "Happy Birthday" so it looks as though I'll be stretching out the b-day celebration aaaaaalll week.

Just like Tokyopop is drawing out Fruits Baskets. Anyway....

Tokyopop must have other steady sellers that can support them -- while FB is their bestseller nowadays (is that really correct?) they still have a few important titles left running....and sadly, I'm too tired this morning to remember what they are (obviously they need another FB and will probably never have it again. They should really reconsider reprinting Sailor Moon but mabe the days of Sailor Moon selling well are past us?)

Taking that one step further, they also seem to have done a pretty poor job with repackaging the volumes they already released.

The Ultimate Collections was a great idea in principle, but in execution...not so much.