PiQ

Infobox Magazine
title = PiQ


image_size =
image_caption = "PiQ", April 2008 (premiere issue)
editor = Kevin Gifford
editor_title = Executive Editor
staff_writer =
frequency = Monthly
category = Anime, comics, gadgets, lifestyle, manga, video games
company = PiQ, LLC
publisher =
firstdate = April 2008
finaldate = July 2008
finalnumber = 4
country = United States
language = English
website =
issn = 1941-0522

"PiQ" (pronEng|piːk) is a discontinued American popular culture magazine that was published by PiQ, LLC, a subsidiary of A.D. Vision, from March through July 2008.cite web|url=http://ecpa.cpa.state.tx.us/coa/servlet/cpa.app.coa.CoaGetTp?Pg=tpid&Search_Nm=piq%20LLC%20&Button=search&Search_ID=32034595978|title=Franchise Tax Certification of Account Status for PIQ LLC|date=2008-01-28|publisher=State of Texas|accessdate=2008-05-11] Launched as a replacement for the magazine "Newtype USA", which was discontinued in February 2008, "PiQ" went beyond anime and manga to include coverage on video games popular American comics and television series.

"PiQ" started with the "NewType USA" staff and its 15,000 subscribers, who received two "PiQ" issues for every one of "NewType USA" remaining on their accounts. The first issue was received with mixed reviews by readers and critics. After only four issues, the magazine was abruptly discontinued in July 2008, which the editorial staff blamed on low revenue, bad management, and lack of marketing.

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History

The magazine premiered in March 2008, as a replacement for the A.D. Vision magazine "Newtype USA", which ceased publication in February 2008.cite web|url=http://www.piqmag.com/|title=PiQ|quote=PiQ Magazine will be available on newsstands and sent to subscribers in mid-March 2008.|accessdate=2008-02-11] cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-01-09/newtype-usa-to-cease-publication|title=Newtype USA to Cease Publication|date=2008-01-09|publisher=Anime News Network|accessdate=2008-02-11]

In addition to covering anime and manga, the magazine had expanded coverage of other subjects beyond those covered by "Newtype USA", including American comics, high tech gadgetry, U.S. television series and films, and video games.cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-01-20/a.d-visions-piq-mag-to-cover-more-than-anime-manga|title=A.D. Vision's PiQ Mag to Cover More than Anime, Manga|date=2008-01-20|publisher=Anime News Network|accessdate=2008-02-11] cite web|url=http://comics212.net/2008/01/18/first-look-advs-new-piq-magazine-mediavendor-kit/|title=First Look: ADV’s new PiQ Magazine Media/Vendor Kit|author=Christopher Butcher|date=2008-01-18|accessdate=2008-02-11]

At its formation, "PiQ" retained many of the editorial staff and freelance writers that worked on "Newtype USA", as well as the magazines 15,000 subscribers. In June 2008, after only four issues had been released, "PiQ" freelancers received word from Kevin Gifford, the editor of "PiQ", that the magazine was being canceled and the "PiQ" offices had been closed down. The July 2008 issue, which had already been released when the announcement was made, was the magazine's last issue. As part of the announcement, "PiQ" promised to compensate freelance writers for the work already done for the unpublished August issue.cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-06-14/freelancers-report-that-piq-july-issue-is-its-last |title=Freelancers Report that PiQ's July Issue Is Its Last |publisher=Anime News Network |date=2008-06-14 |accessdate=2008-06-14 ] The editorial staff confirmed the news on the "PiQ" website, while also venting their own frustrations over the closure.cite web |url=http://www.piqmag.com/2008/06/14/the-last-issue/ |title=The last issue |publisher=PiQ |date=2008-06-14 |accessdate=2008-06-14 ]

The magazine's website was also later shut down.

Circulation and reception

Targeted at males 18-25 years of age, the first issue of "PiQ" had a planned circulation of 100,000. The publishers hoped to reach a circulation of 150,000 by the fourth quarter of the year. [cite web |url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/11960.html |title='Newtype' Successor Broadens Focus |publisher=ICv2 |date=2008-01-23 |accessdate=2008-07-23 ]

Readers of the magazine had mixed reactions to it. Some enjoyed the greater coverage, while others hated it, to the point one group of fans organized monthly gatherings to burn their copies in effigy.cite web |url=http://www.mania.com/piq-magazine-anime-fans-reactions_article_57928.html |title=PiQ Magazine: Anime Fans' Reactions |publisher=Mania.com |work=The Mumbling Kitsune |first=Nadia |last=Oxford |date=2008-04-04 |accessdate=2008-07-23 ] Reviewers criticized the editorial tone of the magazine and its use of derogatory terms to refer to its readers. In the first issue, readers are called "nerds, dorks, geeks, freaks, maniacs, and pervos."cite web |url=http://comics212.net/2008/03/17/piq-issue-1-post-mortem |title=PiQ Issue #1: Post-Mortem |first=Christopher |last=Butcher |work=Comics212 |date=2008-03-17 |accessdate=2008-07-23 ] Mania.com's Nadia Oxford felt the terms negatively impacted the magazines otherwise high energy writing. Christopher Butcher, of Comics212, referred to it as "weak all-around", feeling the editorial staff had a poor understanding of its demographic and had produced a substandard work. In looking at the first issue, he criticized its lack of focus, poor editorial mandate, and persistent mistakes in the prose that affected readability. Butcher did feel that with work, the magazine had the potential to be successful, praising its design and several articles as being a sign of what the magazine could be.

References