Co: Mike Gagnon @ SMASH

SMASH! Comics and parent company Lightningstrike Publishing have split from an exclusive printing deal with an undisclosed printing company that has only been in effect since July 1st of 2004.

In June of 2004 Lightningstrike Publishing decided to seek out an exclusive printer for all of its printing needs as well as those of its subsidiaries (SMASH! Comics most notably). The name of the business chosen is not being released, but folks at LSP are acknowledging that the business has been the exclusive printer for this company since July 1st 2004 and that the business is based in Port Elgin, Ontario just 20 minutes north of the LSP offices located in Tiverton, Ontario.

The split stems from problems that the printer had in delivering the ordered product for Dreams in Texture #1, Created by Kevin Clorey and Tom Muzzell. The issues were supposed to be on store shelves by mid-September, but were not delivered to SMASH! Comics until September 16th, a full three weeks after they were originally promised. What's more is upon inspection staff and creators at SMASH! found numerous and consistent problems with the quality of the printing, binding, and trimming of the books. Because of this SMASH! has been forced to cancel the book, which was to be their first comic fully solicited and distributed by Diamond.

"We could not in good conscious ship these books out to Diamond knowing that they were going to paying comics readers, who deserve better quality than this for their money" said Lightningstrike president Mike Gagnon. "Even worse, it's been more than 48 hours since our printer has been notified of our decision and our problems with the printing on Dreams, and they haven't even contacted us with a response."

For those who have bee eagerly awaiting the release of this comic featuring the amazing fantasy style art and writing of Tom Muzzell and Kevin Clorey SMASH! Comics has stated that the material contained the issue in question will now be included in a planned Trade Paperback publication scheduled for the Christmas season, being produced with a different printer.

For more info on the Dreams in Texture trade paperback or its creators visit: http://www.lightningstrike.ca/smashcomics