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Roger
Mini Boss
Joined: Fri Nov 25, 2005 10:41 pm Posts: 4909
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 A word about mooks for the mooks.
I have to say that some of the negativity here about the upcoming mook format is bothering me. Rather than addressing those posts, I'm going to present something positive. I'm going to tell you what I'm looking forward to as a writer for Super7.
I can sum it up in one word: SPACE. Space to convey an unlimited depth and breadth of information. Previously, the articles I wrote needed to fit a two to six page target. Not any more. This time around I can dump everything from my brain onto the page, and the photos that accompany the article can be larger.
Now, if it needs to be, that six page article can be a twenty-six page article. No more sidebars being cut for space considerations, no more whittling down sentences to hit a word count, no more photos dropped because there wasn't enough room to show the entire product line-up.
Already I have ideas for three large articles that would be ill-suited for a magazine format, but ideal for a 200 page mook, and as I'm starting to put them together I'm visualizing how cool the final product will be. In fact, I'm not even viewing them as articles any more, but rather as entries in a new English-language Japanese toy encyclopedia. I'm hoping that everyone else feels the same way when they read them.
Obviously, it's going to take more time and effort for Brian, Chad, and the rest of the staff and contributors to produce material on this scale as opposed to the magazine, and I hope that everyone gives the new format and schedule a chance.
But if some people are already building up such negative expectations only days after Super7 #15 was released, then I don't know what's going to change their minds.
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:12 pm |
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Pogue
Die-Cast
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 9:25 am Posts: 8218
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I agree. Who needs a magazine to "make news"? Everything is already on the web before I see it in the zine. The timely parts of S7 magazine are read once material. I use the articles as a reference all the time but I never revisit the News section.
_________________
plastichunter wrote: I just ate my Milton! It was a delicious late night snack. 
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:18 pm |
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akum6n
Prototype
Joined: Sat Nov 04, 2006 12:03 am Posts: 6162 Location: Shima
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Yes, I want Japanese toy encyclopedias. I always read the S7 articles for reference and wish that there was more information about this toy or that. For some of the topics covered, there's nothing even nearly equivalent available on the Internet. I'm all for the mook format, even if it will be published only semi-annually.
_________________ RxM / The Back Catalogue Robot Loves Monster! RxMxflickr.
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:22 pm |
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hillsy11
Post Pimp
Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2005 12:51 am Posts: 2981 Location: Seattle
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"This time around I can dump everything from my brain onto the page"
You say that like it's a GOOD thing!
Personally, I'm looking forward to the "mook" concept. The "encyclopedia" concept has always worked for me, though, be it the Saito books, Chogokin Chronicle, Super #1 Robot, etc. And, because I'm quite biased, between you and mecha, and Brian and vintage vinyl, the old shit will be well represented.
Oh, and Rog...come Feb., are we going to need to send you on a rescue mission to M1 to free Jetty?
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:25 pm |
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straightoutta..LOKASH
Side Dealer
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 11:51 pm Posts: 2120
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Im excited for the Mook, but am sad that I wont get the S7 magazine quarterly also.Im just worried the mook wont be produced on time and next thing you know 6 months turns into 8 months.Also it means that if the first Mook dosent have the comprehensive Secret Base article and photo checklist that Im dying for I might have to wait years!YEARS!!
I think the Mook will look rad though.
_________________ http://www.littleplastic.tumblr.com
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 1:42 pm |
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Paulkaiju
S7 Royalty
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2005 1:40 pm Posts: 3847 Location: SD
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I like Mooks.
They help it all flow when I'm on the potty 
_________________
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 1:47 pm |
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Pogue
Die-Cast
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 9:25 am Posts: 8218
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Paulkaiju wrote: I like Mooks. They help it all flow when I'm on the potty 
That should be the new slogan
Super7 The Mook:
Keeps you regular twice a year
_________________
plastichunter wrote: I just ate my Milton! It was a delicious late night snack. 
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 1:49 pm |
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bryanarchy
Illuminati
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2006 5:26 pm Posts: 1244 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
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DONALD: OK, HISTORY. THIS IS FOR THE GAME. HOW YA DOIN' OVER THERE? NOT TOO GOOD!
GEORGE: All right BB. Let's just play... Who invaded Spain in the 8th century?
DONALD: THAT'S A JOKE. THE MOORS.
GEORGE: Oh, Noooo, I'm so sorry. It's the MOOPS. The correct answer is, The MOOPS.
DONALD: MOOPS? LET ME SEE THAT. THAT'S NOT MOOPS YOU JERK, IT'S MOORS. IT'S A MISPRINT.
GEORGE: I'm sorry the card says MOOPS.
DONALD: IT DOESN'T MATTER. I'S THE MOORS. THERE'S NO MOOPS.
GEORGE: It's MOOPS.
DONALD: MOORS.
GEORGE: MOOPS,
DONALD: MOORS!
_________________ Texas is the reason the president's dead.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bryanarchy
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 1:57 pm |
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Pogue
Die-Cast
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 9:25 am Posts: 8218
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moops
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plastichunter wrote: I just ate my Milton! It was a delicious late night snack. 
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:03 pm |
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turtletooth
Post Pimp
Joined: Thu Mar 16, 2006 8:19 am Posts: 2683 Location: Dirty Jersey
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I agree that the mook format is much better for S7.
By the time the magazine comes out I thumb through it and think "Oh look a bunch of toys that came out already." Like Pogue said, by the time it comes out in the magazine it's old news. When I want to know what's new I can come on here.
Compiling detailed articles and tons of great pictures in an encyclopedic format, as Roger suggests is a much better purpose for the the talents at S7. And the end result will be something much more worthwhile to me as a collector.
Basically, a hardcover reference book with extensive information and LOTS of pictures, is better than a magazine that I read once and put aside.
I'm looking foreward to the switch in a big way!
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:17 pm |
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straightoutta..LOKASH
Side Dealer
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 11:51 pm Posts: 2120
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Well, usually carry at least 2 issues of S7 in my backpack to read on the bart, sometimes 3.Maybe this will cut down on the total weight of magazines I carry.
_________________ http://www.littleplastic.tumblr.com
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:39 pm |
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Chad Hensley
Illuminati
Joined: Mon Nov 14, 2005 6:55 pm Posts: 2655 Location: San Diego
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The Mango says "No Mook for you either!"
_________________ Writer's page at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Chad-Hensley/e/B0 ... ont_book_1
Writer's Page: http://www.esoterra.org/editors.htm
Last Hurrah Records: http://www.lasthurrahrecords.com
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:40 pm |
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Mutonismyfriend
Illuminati
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2005 6:21 pm Posts: 8387 Location: At home
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Mooks baby!
Get On Street Bible, Henshin Cyborg references and Microman - all live on my shelves and get referred to. As to certain key S7 articles.
I think Mooks are great for us guys, and as pointed out, the news is old news by the time it hits the printer, whereas referenc ematerial never dates. I think Mooks isn't so good for S7's visibility, but it does indicate where their intent lies - which is about toys and not about creating some kind of lifestyle brand....like so many others.
Go Mook!
PS. Someone probably already said this, but where exactly does MOOK come from? Wiktionary says:
mook
(colloquial) An insignificant or contemptible person.
(colloquial) A Sap.
_________________
phantomfauna wrote: It's a toy forum...That pretty much makes us all losers.
Webbing: http://clearwithguts.com/ Wanting: FinkShits and evilShits! http://www.skullbrain.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=27395 Trading: http://www.skullbrain.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=27414
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:46 pm |
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Locomoco
Die-Cast
Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2006 11:13 pm Posts: 8143 Location: San Mateo
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Mutonismyfriend wrote: (colloquial) An insignificant or contemptible person. (colloquial) A Sap.
Well, that sounds like us... 
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:47 pm |
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hillsy11
Post Pimp
Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2005 12:51 am Posts: 2981 Location: Seattle
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I think it's just a combo of "magazine" and "book". Those inventive Japanese...
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:52 pm |
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rhinomilk
Vintage
Joined: Sun Apr 09, 2006 4:15 pm Posts: 7136 Location: Bay Area
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they should have the mook open from the left side
_________________ :::KAIJU CHRONICLE::: Wanteds
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:59 pm |
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cornbluth
Line of Credit
Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2005 1:18 pm Posts: 1739 Location: we love it
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_________________ She's into malakas, Dino!
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:42 pm |
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donnierobot
Comment King
Joined: Tue Oct 10, 2006 11:39 am Posts: 1409 Location: London
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MOOK...MOOK
who comes up with this shit, this isn't Napolean Dynamite and ligers you know!
Its either a big magazine with staples or a book that is bound.....
A mook I give up, what is the English language coming to!
_________________ www.deathwaltzrecordingcompany.com
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Fri Jan 26, 2007 1:53 am |
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Parka
S7 Royalty
Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:14 pm Posts: 3106 Location: Oop North, UK
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donnierobot wrote: A mook I give up, what is the English language coming to!
Japanese 
_________________ Trade List | Wanted | Flickr |
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Fri Jan 26, 2007 7:33 am |
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donnierobot
Comment King
Joined: Tue Oct 10, 2006 11:39 am Posts: 1409 Location: London
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Parka wrote: donnierobot wrote: A mook I give up, what is the English language coming to! Japanese 
Ha !
send me back to school 
_________________ www.deathwaltzrecordingcompany.com
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Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:55 am |
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hillsy11
Post Pimp
Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2005 12:51 am Posts: 2981 Location: Seattle
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That's ok...even between you Brits and us Yanks...we don't speak the same laguage... 
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Fri Jan 26, 2007 9:08 am |
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Roger
Mini Boss
Joined: Fri Nov 25, 2005 10:41 pm Posts: 4909
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hillsy11 wrote: Oh, and Rog...come Feb., are we going to need to send you on a rescue mission to M1 to free Jetty? Now it's possible. With the space provided by the mook format, I could write a "Heart of Darkness" short story around it. ;p
If you put "define:mook" into Google, these two definitions fit the bill:
# A Japanese contraction of the English words magazine and book. Mook are books with the look, design, and layout of magazines. There are literally thousands of these beautiful, full color publications to be found relating to the world of anime and other topics.
http://www.theblackmoon.com/Gloss/agloss.html
# "Magazine + Book = Mook" A Japanese term used to describe magazines that cost more than a typical magazine and are generally bound more like a book and have harder covers. Gothic & Lolita Bibles, Pride Visions and special issues of Shoxx are considered mooks.
http://www.supercosplayband.com/plc/plc_dictionary.php
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Fri Jan 26, 2007 9:21 am |
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