Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Top 100 best selling comics at Pitkämies in 2009
A few comments on this one: Fingerpori 2 was by far the best selling book this year. It sold almost three times as much as the runner up, Ville Ranta's Eräänlaisia Rukouksia. One reason for this was the Fingerpori exhibition we had in march just when the book was released. It was probably the most popular exhibition we ever had at the Comics Centre. So yeah. That was nice.
Then there are ofcourse a lot of Huuda Huuda titles in the top 20 also for a ver simple reason: these are the books i always have in the store. With other books it always takes a while between it getting sold out and then me ordering it and receiving it back in the store. On principal though, i always try to keep certain books always in stock. For example Jimmy Corrigan, the smartest kid on earth, is one of my alltime favourite book and it is very easy to reply to customers who ask my opinion about which book i like and then say: Jimmy Corrigan is the best comic book ever made. It makes me feel pretty proud to have sold in 2008 26 copies of Chris Ware's magnus opus.
For the rest, a pretty nice list i would say so. A good mix of finnish and foreign material, all pretty good stuff (ofcourse, otherwise i wouldn't sell it in my store, that goes without saying).
There are a few surprises or perhaps complete unknown comics to some people that end up pretty high. Let's take the Caterer by Jeff Lint at spot 28 (sold 17 copies). This one is a beyond absurd comic reproduction from the seventies, full of excellent one liners and ununderstandable situations. Since Tuukka really likes this one, he practically forced this comic on everybody he knew or on people who came in the store whenever he was filling in behind the counter.
Naturally, Pitkämies has sold plenty of Jyrki Nissinen this year, and will continue to keep selling his top notch exploits as long as we keep on running. He has 14 titles in the top 100. I guess that says pretty much it. Hopefully one day some important comic publisher (cough Alvin Buenaventura cough) will spot Jyrki's genius talent and spread some finnish exhuberant madness around the globe.
All in all, I have no idea how to compare my best selling list with what's officially "in the charts" in normal bookstores or normal comic stores. It's radically different ofcourse. I bet you won't find any Mat Brinkman or Roju's Huonoa Seksia (spot 19, sold 19 copies) , but isn't that why people find their way to Pitkämies? I will try and keep up the selection of the store as it always have been: a carefully curated selection of good quality comics, wether they are mainstream, manga or silkscreened art. And I am hoping you all keep supporting this haven of indie goodness as long as Pitkämies as behind the wheels!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Record Selling at Pitkämies
In January Pitkämies is having a beyond crazy record sales. We are trying to get rid of ALL records from the store. So it's your chance to pick some cool records for ultracool prices.
We are doing the UFF style discount: every day the discount on ALL records gets higher and higher. However, we have for some items only 1 copy, so it might not always be wise to wait until the last minute.
This means the end of the record selling business of Ifsociety. The label will continue to exist by releasing a couple of select records per year. This also means the end of the co-operation between Pitkämies and Ifsociety. It really pains me that it has gone this way. I personally thought we stocked a pretty neat collection of cool records in the store. We had a really good thing going for a while, a well catered selection of cheapo classics on cd, punk and indie milestones on vinyl and all the latest releases from the finnish quality labels at competitive prices. But the decision to pull the plug on the record pushin business lays in the hands of Tommi and Mikko. And i completely understand them. Lately with music sales dropping everywhere (to give an example, the overall sales in music in Finland has dropped 25% in 2008 compared to the previous year!), it just didn't make anymore sense in pouring money in a loss making business. The profit margin Ifsociety had on selling records at Pitkämies was already quite slim to begin with. In the end why put all this effort in keeping up a record selection if the only people who benefit from it is everybody besides yourself?
I talked to Mikko and Tommi about this and i felt that both of them are just releaved to get rid of the burdon of this extracurrical activity and being finally able to focus again on the things they started Ifsociety in the first place: releasing a few records a year and doing that with all your heart and strength you can muster.
However, this doesn't mean the end of musicrecords at Pitkämies. I stubbornly continue spreading the gospel of fine music. The selection of records will be a lot smaller then what we have but there will still be plenty of reasons to come and check out the the music department at Pitkämies:
1) Pitkämies will have ALL the releases of ALL quality finnish record labels at affordable prices (read: cheaper then äx, stupido or cdon.com). Here's the list of labels so far: Ektro, Helmi, Fonal, Ifsociety, Verdura,...
2)I will get a weekly shipment of hot new vinyls. Beware that i will order only small amounts of each items and that they go fast. It might not be a bad idea to stop by often, say every saturday, and make sure you can get that Dirtbombs lp for dirtcheap. I am not going to restrict myself to a particular niche of records (not that Ifsociety ever did that!), I am just going to order records that i want. Maybe next week i'll want to have the new Field Music on double vinyl but the week after i may go all out and order a great selection of 60s French pop and Yé-Yé from Jacques Dutronc to Serge Gainsbourg
3)As of principle i wholly support all diy and selfpublished releases. Anybody who has released their own record can be assured of a spot in the Pitkämies record shelves. Cd-rs, tapes, 7"s: i dig it all. So you know, the new Dinosauruxia is already here.
I know Pitkämies will never be able to compete with Levykauppa Äx, because that's just a great record store with a huge selection. Instead i want to make the recordselection an exciting addition to the comics i am selling. You will stumble across some weird records maybe but you can be assured that all records will have the personal approval of Pitkämies himself. Also, I am not aware of everything that happens in the music scene, so I am open to all suggestions and I will do my best to provide a good service for my music loving pals (customers). Any music made with heart and soul is welcome at the store!
Lastly, I want to send out a sincere thanks to Tommi and Mikko who have helped me and the store in so many ways i will never be able to express my gratitude fully.
So thanks dudes, it was a fun ride while it lasted!
We are doing the UFF style discount: every day the discount on ALL records gets higher and higher. However, we have for some items only 1 copy, so it might not always be wise to wait until the last minute.
This means the end of the record selling business of Ifsociety. The label will continue to exist by releasing a couple of select records per year. This also means the end of the co-operation between Pitkämies and Ifsociety. It really pains me that it has gone this way. I personally thought we stocked a pretty neat collection of cool records in the store. We had a really good thing going for a while, a well catered selection of cheapo classics on cd, punk and indie milestones on vinyl and all the latest releases from the finnish quality labels at competitive prices. But the decision to pull the plug on the record pushin business lays in the hands of Tommi and Mikko. And i completely understand them. Lately with music sales dropping everywhere (to give an example, the overall sales in music in Finland has dropped 25% in 2008 compared to the previous year!), it just didn't make anymore sense in pouring money in a loss making business. The profit margin Ifsociety had on selling records at Pitkämies was already quite slim to begin with. In the end why put all this effort in keeping up a record selection if the only people who benefit from it is everybody besides yourself?
I talked to Mikko and Tommi about this and i felt that both of them are just releaved to get rid of the burdon of this extracurrical activity and being finally able to focus again on the things they started Ifsociety in the first place: releasing a few records a year and doing that with all your heart and strength you can muster.
However, this doesn't mean the end of musicrecords at Pitkämies. I stubbornly continue spreading the gospel of fine music. The selection of records will be a lot smaller then what we have but there will still be plenty of reasons to come and check out the the music department at Pitkämies:
1) Pitkämies will have ALL the releases of ALL quality finnish record labels at affordable prices (read: cheaper then äx, stupido or cdon.com). Here's the list of labels so far: Ektro, Helmi, Fonal, Ifsociety, Verdura,...
2)I will get a weekly shipment of hot new vinyls. Beware that i will order only small amounts of each items and that they go fast. It might not be a bad idea to stop by often, say every saturday, and make sure you can get that Dirtbombs lp for dirtcheap. I am not going to restrict myself to a particular niche of records (not that Ifsociety ever did that!), I am just going to order records that i want. Maybe next week i'll want to have the new Field Music on double vinyl but the week after i may go all out and order a great selection of 60s French pop and Yé-Yé from Jacques Dutronc to Serge Gainsbourg
3)As of principle i wholly support all diy and selfpublished releases. Anybody who has released their own record can be assured of a spot in the Pitkämies record shelves. Cd-rs, tapes, 7"s: i dig it all. So you know, the new Dinosauruxia is already here.
I know Pitkämies will never be able to compete with Levykauppa Äx, because that's just a great record store with a huge selection. Instead i want to make the recordselection an exciting addition to the comics i am selling. You will stumble across some weird records maybe but you can be assured that all records will have the personal approval of Pitkämies himself. Also, I am not aware of everything that happens in the music scene, so I am open to all suggestions and I will do my best to provide a good service for my music loving pals (customers). Any music made with heart and soul is welcome at the store!
Lastly, I want to send out a sincere thanks to Tommi and Mikko who have helped me and the store in so many ways i will never be able to express my gratitude fully.
So thanks dudes, it was a fun ride while it lasted!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Best selling comics at Pitkämies september 09
1. Löydät minut tästä kaupungista (Mari Ahokoivu)
2. Naaburger (Aapo Rapi)
3. You shall die by your own evil creation (Fletcher Hanks)
4. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen III: Century 1 (Alan Moore, Kevin O'Neil)
5. Taksi Kurdistaniin (Aino Sutinen)
6. Shenzhen (Guy Delisle)
7. Brinkley Girls (Nell Brinkley)
8. Baarien Nainen (Jupu)
9. Samuelin Matkassa (Tommi Musturi)
10. Borgtron 10 (Jyrki Nissinen)
11. Bar Miki (Michelangelo Setola)
12. Tuuli ja Myrsky (Tiitu)
13. Huuhkaja: kuin noidat yössä (Yann)
14. Savage Sword of Conan: volume 1 (Steve Buscema and others)
15. Gigantic Robot (Tom Gauld)
16. Circus Femme Fatale (Emmi Valve)
17. Äitienpäivä (Amanda Vähämäki)
18. Maalaispunkin Päiväkirja (Pauli Kallio)
19. Teratoid Heights (Mat Brinkman)
20. Apocalypse Nerd (Peter Bagge)
Comments
Well, since there was the comic festival i took this time a top 20 of best selling comics. The number one spot is a shared one between Mari's new book and Aapo's Naaburger. They sold an equal amount of copies. I let Mari keep the number one spot because of alfabetical order, plus i know she will promote this blog post on her facebook status report. On the other hand, the best selling item by far was the fabulous Pitkämies shopping bag but i left it out of the list since it is not a comic.
I am also happy to see the Brinkley Girls there, that's an absolutely stunning book that everybody is wanting to have. And also very happy to see that my customers keep appreciating cult classics such as Mat Brinkman's Teratoid Heights. (Which reminds me, i saw it for sale on amazon for 162 dollars... mmmm maybe i should up my price a bit...?)
Here's a top 6 of best selling items from the music department: Le Corpse Mince de Francoise is now extra hot since they use the tune for the finnish version of Project Runway (Muodin Huipulle), which is ofcourse a MUST SEE tv program
Music Sales
1. Mutiny#13 (zine)
2. Joose Keskitalo Kolmas Maailmanpalo (cd)
3. Le Corps Mince de Francoise: Ray Ban glasses (lp)
4. Keränen: Green Car Crash (Casette)
5. Band of Horses: Cease to begin (lp)
6. Joose Keskitalo: tule minun luokse, kulta (cd)
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Rent Kramer's Ergot 7
People have probably seen the fabulous Kramer's Ergot 7 anthology in my store. I bet you have even browsed through it. If you don't recall the book in question, here's a reminder for you
So you see, this baby is a monster. It's huge. In fact, it's so big that most people are put off from buying. "I don' t have a bookshelf that's big enough for it" is the most common reply i get when i show the book to people.
But now Pitkämies has come up with the best solution for all you people who want to read and absorb the book. Just rent it from me!
Yes, just borrow Kramer's Ergot from Pitkämies just like it's a library here. I have borrowed an old scheme a friend of mine once came up with, which i think will work perfectly here.
Renting the Kramer's Ergot costs 5 euros per month. The way it works is very simple: you come to the store and say you want to borrow the book. You give me your name and emailaddress plus one hundred euros. Then you can take the book with you to read at home. After one month you come back with the book and i return to you 95 euros. Et voila we are done.
The next person can then borrow the book with a deposit of 95 euros. This way the price of the book gets lower and lower each time somebody borrows it. If you feel like keeping the book to yourself and not return it, no problem! You have already paid for it in a way!
If you live outside Helsinki or cannot make it to the store but want to reserve it, please order it from me here and mention it on the comment section when you can come and pick it up
So you see, this baby is a monster. It's huge. In fact, it's so big that most people are put off from buying. "I don' t have a bookshelf that's big enough for it" is the most common reply i get when i show the book to people.
But now Pitkämies has come up with the best solution for all you people who want to read and absorb the book. Just rent it from me!
Yes, just borrow Kramer's Ergot from Pitkämies just like it's a library here. I have borrowed an old scheme a friend of mine once came up with, which i think will work perfectly here.
Renting the Kramer's Ergot costs 5 euros per month. The way it works is very simple: you come to the store and say you want to borrow the book. You give me your name and emailaddress plus one hundred euros. Then you can take the book with you to read at home. After one month you come back with the book and i return to you 95 euros. Et voila we are done.
The next person can then borrow the book with a deposit of 95 euros. This way the price of the book gets lower and lower each time somebody borrows it. If you feel like keeping the book to yourself and not return it, no problem! You have already paid for it in a way!
If you live outside Helsinki or cannot make it to the store but want to reserve it, please order it from me here and mention it on the comment section when you can come and pick it up
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Top selling comics at Pitkämies June 09
1. Jeff Lint: The Caterer
2. Ville Pirinen: Yhesti yhes paikas
3. Ville Ranta: Eräänlaisia Rukouksia
4. Marko Turunen: Ufoja Lahdessa 3
5. Alan Moore: League of extraordinary gentlemen III: Century 1
6. Emmi Valve: Femme Fatale
7 Mitch Clem: Nothing Nice to say
8. Derf: Punkrock and trailerparks
9. Florent Ruppert ja Jerome Mulot: Uhkapeliä
10. Lilli Carré: Nine ways to disappear
2. Ville Pirinen: Yhesti yhes paikas
3. Ville Ranta: Eräänlaisia Rukouksia
4. Marko Turunen: Ufoja Lahdessa 3
5. Alan Moore: League of extraordinary gentlemen III: Century 1
6. Emmi Valve: Femme Fatale
7 Mitch Clem: Nothing Nice to say
8. Derf: Punkrock and trailerparks
9. Florent Ruppert ja Jerome Mulot: Uhkapeliä
10. Lilli Carré: Nine ways to disappear
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Kuningas Toffee
Here's a snoop for you all: Kuningas Toffee will be transformed into a theatre play!
I don't know anything about the specifics but here's what i have heard so far (from a reliable source, namely Aapo Rapi himself): Kellariteatteri will perform the play based on the Kuningas Toffee comic some time in the fall. It is not yet on their website but apparently the screenplay is already finished.
The story will also unfold in the same way as the revamped comic: two characters will unearth the ancient scrolls that tell the tale of the cruel sugartooth King Toffee. When they read the content of the scrolls, it will be shown on stage whilest the two narrative characters will comment the events and acting.
This sounds like a pretty nice excuse to finally go to the theatre for me and i am hoping the same for all of you!
edit: Aapo just finished his Kuningas Toffee shirt, he printed it himself, so that means there is only a limited amount available...
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Best selling comics at Pitkämies in May 2009
1. Aikakauslehti 2
2. Jupu: Baarien Nainen
3. Ville Pirinen: Yhesti yhes paikas
4. Jeff Lint: The caterer
5. Derf: Punkrock and trailerparks
6. Roju: Huonoa seksia
7. Folman/Polonsky: Waltz with Bashir
8. Alan Moore: League of Extraordinary gentlemen III: The century
9. Lynda Barry: What it is
10. Jeffrey Brown: Funny Misshapen body
11. Pertti Jarla: Fingerpori 2
12. Karstein Volle: 100 tosiasiaa maailmailta
note: this goes to show how erratic sales at Pitkämies are: only two titles are two months in a row in the top "ten"list: Ville Pirinen and Karstein Volle....
2. Jupu: Baarien Nainen
3. Ville Pirinen: Yhesti yhes paikas
4. Jeff Lint: The caterer
5. Derf: Punkrock and trailerparks
6. Roju: Huonoa seksia
7. Folman/Polonsky: Waltz with Bashir
8. Alan Moore: League of Extraordinary gentlemen III: The century
9. Lynda Barry: What it is
10. Jeffrey Brown: Funny Misshapen body
11. Pertti Jarla: Fingerpori 2
12. Karstein Volle: 100 tosiasiaa maailmailta
note: this goes to show how erratic sales at Pitkämies are: only two titles are two months in a row in the top "ten"list: Ville Pirinen and Karstein Volle....
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