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Top Cow Productions, an Interview

posted by Matt Knicl at 6:30 am.

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Founded in 1992, Top Cow Productions had been the home to some of modern comics’ greatest properties and features work from the industry’s top writers and artists. On Monday Filip Sablik, Vice President of Marketing & Sales, was promoted to Publisher, where his “primary responsibility will be to oversee aspects of Top Cow’s comic book and graphic novel publishing including editorial, sales, and marketing,” the press release stated. Mr. Sablik was kind enough to answer some questions about his new position and what exciting projects are in the works for 2008.

Matt Knicl: How long have you worked at Top Cow?

Filip Sablik: For about a year and a half. I started September 2006.

Matt: What do you plan to do now that you are Publisher?

Filip: Well the first thing on the agenda is to move out to Los Angeles to Top Cow World HQ. I’ve worked remotely up until this point which has been great but it wouldn’t be feasible to do the new job remotely.
I have a number of goals for 2008 are to work with our great editorial staff headed by Rob Levin and make sure our books are coming out on time. Timely shipping really is the cornerstone of building a trust with retailers and fans and it’s a place we’ve fallen short in the past. So that’s probably the #1 goal for next year. At the same we’ll be working on getting more folks to try out our books and see the great quality of product we put out. We’ve got some of the best and brightest in the biz producing work for us, but not enough fans know about it. I hope to change that.

Matt: Are there any big titles or events on the horizon?

Filip: Tons! We have Witchblade Anime airing on IFC (Independent Film Channel) starting in January. The Wanted feature film will be in theaters at the end of June. On the publishing side, we have Stjepan Sejic joining Ron Marz with Witchblade #116 in March for a historic run on the title, a new The Darkness ongoing series from Phil Hester and Michael Broussard, a second Pilot Season slated for the summer, and a Witchblade/Devi crossover with Virgin Comics. Not bad for the first half of the year!

Matt: What is your favorite aspect of working in the comics field?

Filip: It’s a childhood dream. This is the medium I love and has always charged me the most personally. I love working with creative people who are passionate about their work. And in comics, it’s all about the passion.

Matt: How would you describe the reception of comics in the marketplace today?

Filip: I think in the general public’s eye comics are in a better place than ever before. We have material landing on best seller lists, winning awards, comic creators are crossing over to different medias, and all the hottest movies these days seem to be inspired by comics. You can walk into any major book chain and see immediately that the amount of comics has exploded in the last 5 years.
The place where we need to work is getting those people who are receptive to the genres and materials we present to pick up the actual comics and that’s where some of the disconnect happens.

Matt: Are the smaller publishers, like Top Cow, struggling against the giants, DC and Marvel?

Filip: We describe ourselves as a “boutique” publisher. We intentionally limit the number of titles we put out each month so that we can ensure the quality is top notch. We will never be the publisher that pumps out 20 books a month just to make a quick grab for market share. Could we do it? Probably, but the quality would suffer. So in that sense we’re not trying to compete with DC and Marvel.
Would we like our sales on the our comics to be higher? Certainly. But I’m confident that a “slow and steady” approach based on quality and converting fans will ultimately do that.

Matt: Do you see any noticeable trends in comic readerships and the industry at large?

Filip: The readership is getting older. The past couple of years seem to point to fan’s enjoying big crossover events again. New avenues to deliver content to readers is definitely opening up new audiences to comics (through the web, video games, mobile entertainment, etc).

Matt: What would you say is your favorite Top Cow character?

Filip: Right now I’d say Witchblade. Ron Marz weaves a compelling and entertaining story month in and month out. I also have a soft spot for Madame Mirage.

Images courtesy Top Cow Productions

Matt Knicl: My name is Matt Knicl. I'm a U of I alumn and one of those unemployed English majors Garrison Keillor likes to make fun of. I've been reading comics since high school and one day I would like to write them. My goal is to expose readers to what is out there in the world of comics and using my English powers, show what is worth reading or not. I can be reached at buzz.comics@gmail.com.