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Is DrMaster Folding?

17 September 2009 7 Comments

Over at the ANN forums, site user Facesforce speculates that DrMaster is on the verge of shutting down. He notes that several vendors have been unable to reach the company about overdue shipments, and points out that DrMaster has not released any new books or made any announcements since May, when the company ceased posting updates on Twitter. He adds that the company’s customer service number has been disconnected — not a good sign. While I haven’t read much from the DrMaster catalog — just Iron Wok Jan and Metro Survive — I’m always disappointed to learn that a publisher has folded. More publishers means a greater variety of titles, and a greater number of niche audiences served. Let’s hope the rumor is just that: a rumor. (Via @LostPhrack.)

7 Comments »

  • Michelle Smith said:

    Makes me wonder if they held on just long enough to finish Iron Wok Jan, probably their best-regarded title.

    # 17 September 2009 at 5:35 PM
  • Katherine Dacey (author) said:

    I really had to rack my brains to remember what DrMaster published. The vast majority of titles in their catalog didn’t make much of an impression on me. Still, I get the feeling that certain titles (esp. Category Freaks and Lunar Legend Tsukihime) had their followings. Just not very big ones.

    # 17 September 2009 at 7:14 PM
  • Robot 6 @ Comic Book Resources – Covering Comic Book News and Entertainment » Comics A.M. | The comics Internet in two minutes said:

    [...] Publishing | Speculation has begun as to whether another manga publisher has closed. [The Manga Critic] [...]

    # 18 September 2009 at 9:43 AM
  • Journalista – the news weblog of The Comics Journal » Blog Archive » Sept. 18, 2009: That was awesome said:

    [...] manga publisher DrMaster about to go under? Katherine Dacey rounds up the [...]

    # 18 September 2009 at 9:45 AM
  • THE BEAT » Blog Archive » News bits: DrMaster, McSweeneys, Avatar said:

    [...] Katherine Dacey wonder what’s happening at DrMaster, and the evidence is not encouraging: Over at the ANN forums, site user Facesforce speculates that DrMaster is on the verge of shutting [...]

    # 18 September 2009 at 1:21 PM
  • mrs b said:

    Apparently, this isn’t quite the case. Shawne Kleckner of TRSI has posted on ANN with information to the contrary – TSRI has been in touch with DRmaster. This is good to hear. I want more Dark Edge.

    # 18 September 2009 at 3:28 PM
  • Katherine Dacey (author) said:

    Thanks for the tip! After seeing Shawne’s forum post, I sent an email to DrMaster in hopes of getting some reassuring news for fans of Dark Edge and other series that aren’t quite finished yet. If I hear back from them, I will be sure to post a follow-up here. It would really help if they’d update their website… most of the information there is woefully out of date.

    # 18 September 2009 at 3:53 PM

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