ROBOBLOG III Archives

7.06.2007

The Roboblog Chronicles: Episode 10

There are four ROBOTECH-related events and facts from Anime Expo 2007 that I want to talk about. Here they are.


For the record, The Art of Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles is currently available (or so they claim) at BarnesAndNoble.com and Books-A-Million, but still not at Amazon. That's kind of weird, isn't it?

In the interest of fairness and balance ... here's Khyron_Prime's pie report. Also, if you haven't seen it yet, while we're at it, here's Anime News Network's pie report as well.

Oh, and it looks to me like Tom Bateman ceased working for Harmony Gold sometime between May 7, 2007 and May 22, 2007. (Links to archived Robotech.com "About Us" pages via Archive.org's "Wayback Machine." Wow, he kept that under his hat for a while.)

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posted by Captain JLS at 03:09

27 Comments:

  • Captain JLS,

    Any word on why Tom left Harmony Gold?

    A poster on Macross World had an interesting point raised about this whole matter (can't remember the poster name though but it is in the locked Kyron_Prime thread), about if someone resigned or retired they would usually get a pat on the back and some kind words from their former employer. And usually if they were forced out there would just be silence from the employer!

    I'm troubled that Harmony Gold hasn't acknowledge all the hard work Tom Bateman's has done for Harmony Gold and Robotech.

    He was the one of the driving forces of Robocon 10, and much of Robotech's resurrection.

    To hear silence does not raise confidence in Harmony Gold practices or it's judgement at this point!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 06 July, 2007 05:08  

  • I couldn’t even start read all of the rantings of this… “Gentlemen,” Kyron Prime!

    His thought process is disturbed at best, childish at best! A little child trying to get the world to notice him, to show how great he is!

    If Kyron Prime really wanted to send a message, he should have formed a boycott! All he has done is made himself to appear unstable to the world at large! Because all he has done is become a poster boy for that which he obviously loathes!

    Way to go! Now grow up!

    M

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 06 July, 2007 06:45  

  • Wow...Kyron Prime is an idiot...he sure showed them!! Wahhh i dont like the way you are doing things.

    As for Tom Bateman...I do wonder what all happened. I would like to think we will find out about it soon enough.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 06 July, 2007 08:04  

  • It's unrealistic to expect either Harmony Gold or Tom Bateman to comment publicly on Tom not working at HG any more.

    Harmony Gold is a privately owned company, and while private and publicly traded companies alike will send out press releases when certain people are hired, they generally don't make announcements when people quit the company or are fired. There might be some internal discussion about it, but when it comes to outsiders, employees are usually instructed not to say anything about the former employee, aside from the fact that they don't work there any more. This helps prevent defamation lawsuits and the like.

    On Tom's side, the legal implications may be there, too, depending on what he might say (and sometimes people end up signing contracts to prevent them from discussing things when they're hired, or on the way out the door), but more importantly, the particulars of his working situation are part of his personal life. I know that in general, I probably wouldn't discuss the details of my own career publicly on the internet. Tom's privacy should be respected, too.

    So while I'm sad to see Tom go, I think people should set aside their expectations for learning more about the situation, and simply wish him well on his future endeavors.

    By Blogger Roger, at 06 July, 2007 08:12  

  • The recent departures doesn't seem to bode well for Robotech's connection to fans and its past. Alan Letz was the last Harmony Gold connection to the crew of the previous decades (unless Frank Agrama counts, but he's got his own legal issues to worry about). Tom Bateman was the fan connection and the continuity watchdog. Now, Robotech has a really flawed continuity from the start, but not having such a ombudsman isn't going to help things going forth.

    In other words, forget the headline-grabbing but ultimately wrongheaded and inane pie assault. Letz and Bateman--that's the bigger, more substantial news. And it's not good news.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 06 July, 2007 12:56  

  • Roger,

    Granted Harmony Gold is a private own company, but Tom Bateman has been a VERY public face for Harmony Gold and Robotech (as listed in the Shadow Chronicles credits, and creator of the Robocons).

    And his departure without some so of obligatory 'We wish him the best' from Harmony Gold is strange to say the least.

    Also the fact that Alan Letz was let go seeminly roughly at the SAME time, that raises questions...

    M

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 06 July, 2007 18:06  

  • Actually, it looks like Alan Letz was let go around December of '06. He's listed on the "About Us" page in August 2006 ...

    http://web.archive.org/web/20060831201003/http://www.robotech.com/content/about.php

    ... and is gone on December 17.

    http://web.archive.org/web/20061217134229/http://www.robotech.com/content/about.php

    By Blogger Captain JLS, at 06 July, 2007 18:40  

  • I agree, KP made an ass out of himself, and only served to make the rest of us look the same. Totally uncalled for, and I agree with your estimation of his character, Douche!

    As for Tom and Alan, I must say it's a sad day, having met both at AX05 and other cons, and hearing all the kind words fans have to say about them, it is a real shame to hear of their depature.

    I wish them both luck, and hope that they remain Robotech fans along side the rest of us.

    By Blogger Treiz, at 07 July, 2007 00:34  

  • > I agree with your estimation of his character,
    > Douche!
    It would be interesting if it wasn't becoming the new, hip, trite catch-phrase surrounding this incident. :P Good show nonetheless.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 07 July, 2007 03:06  

  • While you were flipping through the Robotech Art Book, I was like, damnit JLS, SLOW DOWN!

    By Blogger ChrisK, at 07 July, 2007 05:56  

  • I have seen pamela Anderson getting splashed by something much more worse than pie to her face.


    Tommy getting a pie in the face you fans, thinkin it can’t happen till, fans
    trap em and clap em, pie em.

    Fake fans like Captain, and crab stunts(treiz).

    Tommy gets his face splashed by pies by fans who do not care we all stare at the anime expo and laugh.


    Captain JLS Wearin Tommy tatoo chains, no tecs, no cash, no cars No jail bars, no pies, no case Just some HG autograph shirts like those macrossworld you a fan hangin sesame street You are a fan, a phony, a fake, a idiot, a stan

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 07 July, 2007 06:58  

  • Maybe we should track Tom down and interview him? Sounds like a Job for Chris "Robotech_Master" Meadows.

    One of these days amazon will get the Art of SC and ship it to me. Then I'll finally be able to enjoy it. And as medmapguy said hey slow down when your flipping that art book. ;) Looking forward to your review.


    I'm on the fence about getting the RT:SC SE on DVD. I've always known I'll be buying it again but was hoping next time would be on Blu-ray or HD dvd.

    Bryan

    By Blogger Unknown, at 07 July, 2007 09:24  

  • I'll second the suggestions to slow down the art-book flipping. How are those of us who don't have it supposed to look at it if you're flipping the pages too fast? ^_^

    Not going to pick up the TSC:SE. I've already got a copy, and I really hate those double-dip style DVD releases, especially when there's so little new content. Give me a reason to BUY the thing, and we'll talk.

    By Blogger JHC, at 07 July, 2007 13:01  

  • No , No fans around here.. Just YUNE personal friends if you ask me.....

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 07 July, 2007 14:20  

  • When you say that " They don't have enough of our money" do you mean they haven't sold enough copies and the dvd isn't doing well or do you mean the sales are great and they want to get even more money trying to sell the same product with a slighlty different look and content??

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 07 July, 2007 15:08  

  • jhc, medmapguy, etc.: Oh don't worry, I'll flip much more slowly next time. Remember, I'm going to be going through the book in-depth in the next show.

    sdf1macross: The latter. By all accounts -- including accounts from Funimation themselves, which of course are less likely to be ROBOTECH-biased than accounts from Yune & Co. -- the DVD is doing extremely well. I mean, why else would they so swiftly repackage the damn thing if it wasn't making them fistfuls of money? If it wasn't, they'd just be cranking out even MORE product that wouldn't move, right?

    By Blogger Captain JLS, at 07 July, 2007 15:44  

  • ->swiftly repackage the damn thing

    Because you cant get enough money from this package...

    That is the only reason i see... Because any logic would say that the repack should come way latter..when all sales options for this pack are egsausted..( are they already???)

    Btw did we hear anyone from funimation talking about the sales?..or the info stil comes from Yune & co ?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 07 July, 2007 18:52  

  • Also no sequel prior to 2009??... doesnt look like a fistful of money.

    How about some numbers?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 07 July, 2007 18:53  

  • So let’s see, HG wants me to buy The Shadow Chronicles again, I’m S.O.L. on the art book, Kyron Prime lost his marbles, and Tom Bateman is gone. What happened to the “good” news I hoped you were going to bring back JLS. Thanks for the report.
    --Rosic

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 07 July, 2007 18:55  

  • Via AnimeOnDVD.com:

    "Robotech: Shadow Chronicles did excellent for them and they're working with Harmony Gold for a 2 disc collectors edition." (Emphasis mine.)

    That's from the Funimation panel, without a Yune in sight.

    Rosic: I said it right under the video, I did some checking while the video was processing and you CAN buy the artbook from Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million, and they claim you'll get it in a matter of days. It's just Amazon that still thinks the book is coming out in August.

    By Blogger Captain JLS, at 08 July, 2007 00:00  

  • HOLY CRAP!!!
    I remember this clown from a previous Convention. He was trembing, sobbing and in tears and his female friend was consoling him, when the trailer for R:TSC was shown and I was like "WTF!! Who is the weird as Biotch next to me!!". He turned and asked why I was not as emotional or as jazzed as he was. I told him that I was glad to see a sequel but not enough to act like a psycho about it.

    Khyron, lay off the illegal drugs and take your Prozac instead. You tried to show the "ROBOTECH MAN" but just ended up looking like a fool instead. Next time, grab your balls and just go to the target and nail them point blank with a FULL cream pie.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 08 July, 2007 02:26  

  • I mean, why else would they so swiftly repackage the damn thing if it wasn't making them fistfuls of money? If it wasn't, they'd just be cranking out even MORE product that wouldn't move, right?

    Actually, special edition repackagings have less to do with whether the first edition sold well, and more to do with whether the producers think a new edition will entice double-dippers and people who didn't buy the first time around. Think about it: if the first edition had not "excellent" sales, but blockbuster, blow-the-roof-off sales, then most people who wanted the DVD would already have it.

    Some "special editions" are quickly released, even if sales will be poor, because the producer realize it's easy money with a small hardcore, captive audience that will eagerly double-dip even the smallest update. Some "special editions" are quickly released because the producers look at the sales numbers, and realize there some people weren't interested in the first bare-bones release. Funimation and other anime-centered companies have done either on a number of works.

    The more likely scenario for Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles is that the producers planned to double-dip all along, regardless of sales. Notice that they openly hinted at stuff they left off the bare-bones DVD, even though there was plenty of space for extras on that DVD (90-min feature + edited documentary) and there was plenty of time to put those extras (delayed six months after the announcements) in.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 08 July, 2007 13:54  

  • I see, sorry about the confusion, thanks for the info. and links
    --Rosic

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 08 July, 2007 14:18  

  • Tom Bateman, the guy who got everything started again. The guy who ran Robocon 10. The guy with some interesting ideas about Robotech, and a real love for the show. It is a shame he is no longer with Harmony Gold. I wish him all the luck in the world on his future endeavors. It's a shame I never really got to talk to him about the Shadow Chronicles.

    As for Khyron Prime, I don't know what to think. I saw the video. Tommy doesn't really look mad. But what does this really accomplish? Nothing! I support all new Robotech, but I also have my reservations about The Shadow Chronicles, especially now that Tom Bateman isn't involved. I mean, the typical response we get from HG is they are continuing after the last episode 'because The Sentinels was already told in comic and novel form, so there was no reason to go back and tell the story again'. Well, what about what happens after the last episode? That was covered in the Aftermath comics AND The End of the Circle. Ok, it's late and I'm not making sense. My point is, I don't agree with the reasons why HG is doing some of the things they are, but if we get new Robotech, I'll probably be happy.

    By Blogger Admiral DMC McKeever, at 09 July, 2007 02:05  

  • Hey Admiral DMC McKeever,
    I would not be to sure about Tommy taking it tooooo well. If you look at the video, right after Tommy get's it in the face, Khyron flinches as to what looks like Tommy ALMOST trying to take a swing at him but backs off.

    How funny would it have been if Tommy started beating the crap out of Khyron, cut off his gay ponytail and raised it up yellinf victory, in a moment of a Gladiator's victory!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 09 July, 2007 04:08  

  • The reason they dont do the Sentinels is because it would be like going back and telling a story that happened before The Invid invasion..the idea is to move forward and let Robotech chart new stories. As for EotC GOD NO....horrible horrible.

    Oh and Kyron Prime....8cough* LOSER *cough*

    AdmiralHunter

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 09 July, 2007 08:32  

  • Tom was fired because of Tommy, simple!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10 July, 2007 02:00  

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