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Re: The Next AFM?

Posted: September 26th, 2020, 10:13 pm
by Stewart Jackson
I received the new issue yesterday and had a chance to peruse it and I was just struck by how incredibly well produced these are. Not that I haven't noticed that before, because it has always been a beautiful production that just got better and better as time went on.

In the editorial Terry put forth the question about going digital, or staying with print. I'm torn on the subject as there is nothing like having AFM(s) right there in your hands, but I am also sympatric to the headaches and increasing costs associated with the publishing and distribution of the mag. Ultimately, I'm good either way that Terry and Dave want to continue AFM, because I'd rather see it go on than disappear. That decision rests with Terry and David and I respect their choice, because they have clearly shown their persistence in the face of all obstacles to share their love of this crazy hobby with the rest of us nuts!

Re: The Next AFM?

Posted: September 26th, 2020, 10:32 pm
by Heavy Metal Spike
Stewart Jackson wrote: . . . In the editorial Terry put forth the question about going digital, or staying with print.
I'm torn on the subject as there is nothing like having AFM(s) right there in your hands, but I am also sympatric to the headaches and increasing costs associated with the publishing and distribution of the mag . . .
Agreed.

I haven't read the editorial yet, and don't know how successful other publications were when they converted to digital.

Having said that, given the audience, my guess would be that it would become simply another set of details on the interwebs, and wouldn't last long Image

I'd rather the price was increased if it THAT would enable the printed version to continue.


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Re: The Next AFM?

Posted: September 29th, 2020, 8:13 pm
by Stewart Jackson
Spike;

Yep, I too would have no problem parting with more green to keep AFM going. Now the hard question is: will enough others feel the same?

Re: The Next AFM?

Posted: October 5th, 2020, 3:42 am
by JJJ92557
Still waiting for mine.

Re: The Next AFM?

Posted: October 5th, 2020, 1:32 pm
by timetraveler
AFM's perseverance through the decades is a testament to the expertise and devotion Terry and David have shown for the hobby. Put simply, the magazine is great! There is really nothing quite like it. I definitely prefer hard copy as opposed to digital format. Its like having a model, or looking at pictures of a model. I'll take the real thing. There is something about the tangibility that connects on a different level. I have been a subscriber since its inception, support the advertisers, take their classes and buy things at the vendor table. I'll keep doing this as long as possible. :D

Re: The Next AFM?

Posted: October 5th, 2020, 1:42 pm
by hellboy51
I am behind AFM staying in print. I usually pick up from Barnes and Nobles but think I'll subscribe once I move. The magazine is great and has always been high quality. I'll pay more to keep it in print. I recall the Kitbuilders tried to go digital but it didn't work since they never updated the site.
Still Ill take the magazine in any form I can get.

Re: The Next AFM?

Posted: October 5th, 2020, 6:34 pm
by Scooke123
I would rather have AFM in print and would support a price increase if need be. I'm sure the costs to publish are enormous and that getting manufacturers to buy ads have to be dwindling as well. If going digital is the only viable option to keep it going I'll support that as well. I'd hate to see the last man (figural mag) standing go away................

Re: The Next AFM?

Posted: October 5th, 2020, 7:49 pm
by Todd P.
I don't want to be too negative, but I'd say that AFM going digital would be a mistake, as it was for Kitbuilders. At the same time, I know they must be taking a terrible financial beating right now and that can put you into a downward spiral that's nearly impossible to stop. I also think they're close to the ceiling on how much people will pay for a magazine.

I'm rooting for them.

Re: The Next AFM?

Posted: October 13th, 2020, 12:00 am
by centaur1
I think, given the times, they almost have to go Digital in order to survive

I am amazed they made it this long, given the cost of printing, and the lack of demand for printed material of all forms in this digital age

Embrace the times and go digital, and drastically Cut your costs, so you can stay afloat .....and continue to supply the publication to your diehard fan base

Re: The Next AFM?

Posted: October 13th, 2020, 10:26 pm
by scuzzfink85
The problem is the hobby is changed so much since AFM came out.
Subscriptions are down because there's much less modelers and new subscriptions are down..
Sure newstand helped by how much..? people can still buy a single issue from the cultman tv
Comic book stores are going the way of vhs we have none around hear.
I miss kit builders and Modelers resource .. everything has it's time.

Re: The Next AFM?

Posted: October 16th, 2020, 6:54 pm
by centaur1
scuzzfink85 wrote:The problem is the hobby is changed so much since AFM came out.
Subscriptions are down because there's much less modelers and new subscriptions are down..
Sure newstand helped by how much..? people can still buy a single issue from the cultman tv
Comic book stores are going the way of vhs we have none around hear.
I miss kit builders and Modelers resource .. everything has it's time.
You ain’t kidding


I also miss kit builders and modelers resource. I advertising in both, and they both ran articles on my pieces. Never one article on any of my kits in AFM over 11 years of Kit producing. That group is very cliquish, as many have learned the hard way. But it is what it is


Anyway....... I spoke to Dan J. not long ago and he’s doing well ——and I hope Fred Deruvo is doing well too

Re: The Next AFM?

Posted: October 16th, 2020, 7:04 pm
by Heavy Metal Spike
centaur1 wrote: . . . I spoke to Dan J. not long ago and he’s doing well . . .
Good to hear - I always liked that guy - great painter and very knowledgeable, friendly & approachable.


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Re: The Next AFM?

Posted: October 16th, 2020, 11:29 pm
by centaur1
Heavy Metal Spike wrote:
centaur1 wrote: . . . I spoke to Dan J. not long ago and he’s doing well . . .
Good to hear - I always liked that guy - great painter and very knowledgeable, friendly & approachable.


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He and a couple others put on a regular collectibles/ toy event here in St. Louis and they had Randy Bowen as a guest a few months ago. Dan and Barb had Bowen come and spend time at their house.

Last I heard many years ago, Fred was trying to get into acting. I’m not sure how that is going, but he’s a good man and I wish him the best

Re: The Next AFM?

Posted: October 24th, 2020, 5:42 pm
by centaur1
I checked three comic stores here in St. Louis that all carry diamond, and none of them had the new AFM

Re: The Next AFM?

Posted: October 25th, 2020, 7:44 pm
by yellowcat
centaur1 wrote:I checked three comic stores here in St. Louis that all carry diamond, and none of them had the new AFM
It was delivered to comic stores on September 30. Likely it all been sold out. May be the store can back order for you.

Re: The Next AFM?

Posted: October 26th, 2020, 11:45 pm
by centaur1
yellowcat wrote:
centaur1 wrote:I checked three comic stores here in St. Louis that all carry diamond, and none of them had the new AFM
It was delivered to comic stores on September 30. Likely it all been sold out. May be the store can back order for you.
I asked for it and had a couple of the stores looked it up, and they could order it, but did not stock it

Re: The Next AFM?

Posted: October 26th, 2020, 11:57 pm
by yellowcat
[quote="centaur1"][quote="yellowcat"][quote="centaur1"]I checked three comic stores here in St. Louis that all carry diamond, and none of them had the new AFM[/quote]
It was delivered to comic stores on September 30. Likely it all been sold out. May be the store can back order for you.[/quote]

I asked for it and had a couple of the stores looked it up, and they could order it, but did not stock it[/quote]

The magazine is not a regular item that comic stores will stock up. Unless their customer request for a subscription then they will bring in couple extra copies for sale in their stores.

Re: The Next AFM?

Posted: March 22nd, 2021, 8:46 pm
by Todd P.

Re: The Next AFM?

Posted: March 22nd, 2021, 10:18 pm
by Stewart Jackson
Yes indeed they did! Downloaded mine just now and skimmed it. It's absolutely AFM all the way just missing the paper. Dave tackles all 5 of Jeff Yagher and Paul Gill's Blade Runner busts and OMG are they beautifully painted by Dave at the top of his game! So much goodness to enjoy and I'll take a deep dive into it later, but anyone who wasn't sure about doing the digital version, I urge you to rethink it as you'll really be missing great stuff.

Re: The Next AFM?

Posted: March 22nd, 2021, 10:38 pm
by yellowcat
Download my copy and it is fantastic.