The Energon Pub

[Joetx]

I realize that TFCC has to create an incentive (in addition to their exclusive toys) to join the TFCC, but if they mass released Balancing Act/Revelations, plus the Botcon comics, what is preventing them from releasing the other story arcs?

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Hasbro's approval, or lack thereof.

[Joetx]

Hasbro's approval, or lack thereof.

For real?

The TFCC comics don't take anything away from the cash cow, the Bay-verse TFs.

Plus, it allows Fun Pub to make some extra money.

[dinogeist]

Hasbro's approval, or lack thereof.

For real?

The TFCC comics don't take anything away from the cash cow, the Bay-verse TFs.

Plus, it allows Fun Pub to make some extra money.

I agree with GoldRabbit.

Hasbro made a deal with IDW. Hasbro isn't going to break that deal or get sued by IDW for breaking that deal.

FWIW,Hasbro gave IDW the exclusive rights to distribute TF comics in america.

[Joetx]

But they mass release the Botcon comics.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

But they mass release the Botcon comics.

With the BotCon comics, three parties are involved:

- Hasbro, the franchise holder in the US and giver of licenses, TakaraTomy licensee
- Fun Publications, organizer of BotCon, main party behind the Collector's Club, Hasbro licensee
- IDW Comics, publisher of the comics, Hasbro licensee.

Because of that license chain, Hasbro (or maybe even TakaraTomy) has to give permission first before anything like mass retail can be done. Hasbro can and will sue any company that is guilty of breaching contract.

[Joetx]

Obviously, Fun Pub wouldn't do anything to jeopardize its relationship w/ Hasbro.

But you're missing the point - why wouldn't Hasbro allow Fun Pub to mass release the TFCC comics (i.e., how does publishing the TFCC comics hurt Hasbro)?

I don't see what this has to do w/ IDW since the BotCon comics were published under Fun Pub.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Obviously, Fun Pub wouldn't do anything to jeopardize its relationship w/ Hasbro.

But you're missing the point - why wouldn't Hasbro allow Fun Pub to mass release the TFCC comics (i.e., how does publishing the TFCC comics hurt Hasbro)?

To keep an incentive for joining the club: exclusive content. The club is about more than just toys you know? If the club comics were available in general retail, and you can generally speaking get the toys online without a membership via a middle man, then of what use is owning a club without anything special to offer?

[Joetx]

*sigh*

In my first post, I acknowledged the incentive aspect.

But I also pointed out that the Balancing Act & Revelations arcs, which were TFCC comics, were mass released.