When CrossGen first attempted to enter what was a very depressed comics market, the upstart publisher offered consumers a money-back guarantee on its first four issues.  With only 24 comics sent back for refunds, the promotion proved to be a major success and helped ease the entry of a company that has become a fast-growing force to be reckoned with in the current comics environment.  Now CrossGen is reprising its 'money-back guarantee' offer on six key upcoming releases, three in January and three in February.  Retailers don't have to process anything in the 'money back' program, since the reader, not the retailer, is required to return the unwanted book. 

Two of the January books chosen for the program are new departures for CrossGen:  Brath is a barbarian adventure set during the Roman Empire, while Crossovers is an independently-produced Code Six book (see 'CrossGen Launches Two New Imprints') that differs radically in tone from rest of the CrossGen and Code Six books since it is a humorous satire about 'an entire comic universe contained in one family ranch house.'  The third book in the program is Crux #22 -- a crucial issue in the series, which is taking a radically different turn under the control of writer Chuck Dixon.

Brath, which like Crux #22 is written by Chuck Dixon, takes place during the Roman occupation of Britain (shades of Gladiator) and contains a lot more historical context than the typical 'barbarian' comic title.  Retailers will receive a black and white preview of the Brath comic with the November 20 issue of Diamond Dateline. 

To publicize the fact that Brath, Crossovers, and Crux #22 will be sold to consumers with a 'money back guarantee,' CrossGen has sent out e-mail messages to over 20,000 consumers.  Chuck Dixon is also planning on e-mailing all the fans on his extensive list and Diamond Comic Distributors has also issued an e-mail that explains the program to retailers.  The Comics Buyers Guide will also alert readers to the situation in its November 25 issue.  In addition to press coverage, Chris Oarr, CrossGen's V.P. of Sales & Marketing, told ICv2 that CrossGen is preparing shelf-talkers that will let consumers know about the money-back guarantee, and which will ship to retailers with the books themselves.

While the books are returnable for the consumers who buy them, only the Brath Prequel is part of a program that can eliminates some risk for retailers; retailers who order quantities of Brath that are equal to their orders for Sojourn #17 will receive an 'earned' or 'free' overship equal to 25% of their order.