You Didn't Order Enough Mayhem
Posted by: Alex Zalben on June 27, 2009 at 7:11 pm
How does the star of one of the biggest movies of all time spend the Saturday after his movie opens? Calling comic book stores, of course.
Though Tyrese Gibson’s name isn’t above the title of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, he is front and center through most of the movie, which looks to be on pace to break The Dark Knight’s opening weekend record of $205 million. But Gibson isn’t concerned with that today. Instead, he’s working hard getting comic book stores, and non-comic book fans to order his upcoming book, Mayhem.
Fans of Tyrese have been hitting up his Twitter feed (@Tyrese4ReaL) all day long, after the star has urged his 155,096 followers to call their local comic book shop, and order the book. Here’s the kicker: if the fans call the shop, and the shop says they haven’t ordered the book, they’ve been tweeting back Tyrese with the shops’ phone numbers… At which point the star has called the shops himself to ask them to order the book.
Given that he’s starring in the number one movie in the country, that probably holds quite a bit of sway over the owner of any comic book store.
Even more important, the majority of tweeters comprising this virtual street team have had one common thing to say: “I’ve never bought a comic before, never been in a comic book store before, but I’ll buy your comic, Tyrese.”
There’s been other pieces of evidence that the actor has been looking to the music street team model to spread the word, including forum postings, YouTube videos, and a website called BuyMayhem.com, which previews the book, and shows you just how to buy, and help promote it as well.
Will every single follower of Tyrese on Twitter buy the book? Probably not. And I honestly have no idea how many will be printed to meet the demand. But considering the top selling comics the past few months have peeked well under 100,000, and Gibson is getting the word out to far, far more than that, the question remains: have you ordered enough copies of Mayhem?
Muddy Hymnal June 28th, 2009
I will not be preordering this, but i will pick up a copy when it hits the stands, and hey if the writing is even half good i will keep on getting it. Im a little put of these media forces from out side the comic leagues seemingly cashing in on their success to break into comics. For example Milo from heros had his book out at the turn of the year. It was an original premise, it was advertised in alot of the right places, i have no idea what the sales where like on the zero issue but im still waiting for the next issue and now he has berserker out. I wont order something like mayhem just because of things like this, sure its on a more reputable label like Image but i think given the quality of the some of their books atm, mayhem would not be on the top of Image comics list and any more than it would be advanced orders. Im not slagging this book off, i want to like, and hope i really do, i hope it goes on to have many wonderful issues and isnt just a ‘merc with a mouth style cash in.
HenryRaines June 29th, 2009
I’ve been following Tyrese on Twitter and you have to admire someone for going out of their way to promote their comic book. Every success in the comic industry is only a positive for everyone. I will be buying Mayhem and wish Image nothing but the best of luck with it.
Fred Marshall June 29th, 2009
I think its great that Tyrese is actually out there promoting his book. Congrats!!!! This is how people should be getting the word out of a book, I am definitely ordering the book. Great work Tyrese!!!
LarryB June 29th, 2009
Very cool stuff…I’m a fan of Tyrese Gibson’s movies, and I’m happy for him and all his success…I’ll definitely be getting my copy of his comic book when it comes out.
James Frank June 29th, 2009
I’m looking forward to this MAYHEM! fellow. I actually saw Tyrese the other evening rocking one of his shirts. It seems like the man loves this venture. Good luck, Mr. Gibson.
Jrrd June 30th, 2009
@ Muddy
I’ll be honest, I don’t blame Tyrese (or Milo) for using clout to break into comics– I would. :P My actual fear here is TG’s title may really be a disingenuous long term project to monopolize a leading role in a future Image movie with the same title. Instead of what it should be, a story worth telling well. Where’s the love for the craft people?!
@Alex
Alex, you’re sneaky asking that trick question at the end there! When of course we’re holding out to order Hulk Team-Up #1.
Does anyone else smell something all the sudden?? = )
Jrrd June 30th, 2009
Oops, not Image.
Alex July 1st, 2009
Ha! I guess I just meant other than you and Muddy, those other “users” kind of seem like spambots. If you’re all not spambots, my apologies :)
Muddy Hymnal July 4th, 2009
No bots i dont think just comic heads
dnwilliams (fanboy d) July 19th, 2009
i like his business model, he’s really pushing his product, but i’m wary of celebrity creator that put themselves in their books. creators like tyrese, rosario dawson, milo ventimiglia etc…it’s a movie pitch, not a comic book. gerard way didn’t put himself into the umbrella academy, he may have identified with his characters, but he was predominantly concerned with crafting a phenomenal story, which he accomplished.
so, yeah, i prefer celebrities to actually care about the medium, and produce comics worthy of critical acclaim. umbrella academy got a buzz without influencing people to pre-order it. when he came to sign in london, theree were lines around the block at fp: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=gerard%20way&w=16028880%40N00
