Category Archives: Politics

Trump Threatens 100% Tariff on Movies Not Made in the US

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Once again, President Trump has made a economic decision with little thought at all. The President announced that he would penalize films made in foreign countries with 100% tariffs, which will of course be paid by consumers and not the studios or theaters. He authorized the commerce department to start the process to impose the tariffs. The reason for decision is due to the American film industry dying “a very fast death.” The industry hasn’t fully recovered since COVID-19 closed theaters and their eventual reopening.

2024 saw the domestic box office gross $8.6 billion, down 3.8% from the previous year’s $8.9 billion. In 2019, the industry saw $11.4 billion at the domestic box office, down from the high in 2018 of $11.9 billion. 2020, the year COVID hit, things dipped to $2.1 billion and then over doubled in 2021, increased 64.4% in 2022 and an increase in 2023 which was $8.9 billion.

Worldwide, 2024 grossed $24.9 billion, down from 2023’s $28.2 billion. 2019 saw a high of $39.1 billion before a drop to $8.6 billion in 2020 and then over doubling in 2021 to $19.5 billion with a steady increase the next two years.

During COVID, movie studios focused on streaming, releasing new films on digital platforms, which clearly changed habits that haven’t reverted back to pre-COVID viewing.

After his announcement Sunday, Trump softened his stance saying he’d meet with “the industry” to “make sure they’re happy.”

It’s unclear what would see a tariff.

  • Would a movie from a US studio filmed overseas be tariffed?
  • Would a movie from a US studio that films part of the movie overseas be tariffed?
  • Would movies from studios outside the US be tariffed? What if they were filmed in the US?
  • How do films on streaming services get tariffed?
  • Is it determined by how a movie is financed?
  • Would tickets now be different prices based on where a movie was made?

As usual, an announcement is made with little detail, thought, or logic.

The White House Admits Trump is a Sith Lord

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President Trump‘s failure of a government keeps on failing. For “May the 4th,” the various social media teams did tie-in posts with most failing in spectacular ways. Maybe they were just early for “Revenge of the Sixth“?

The White House posted a photo of President Trump roided up with a Red Lightsaber. Anyone with basic knowledge knows that Red Lightsabers are wielded by the Sith, the bad guys who create a fascist government of tyranny and commit genocide and mass murder in multiple ways. Well at least they’ve come out of the shadows. We propose Darth Idiot for Trump’s Sith Lord name. Since there’s always two, never more, does that make JD Vance his apprentice? Darth Eyeliner or Darth Couchfucker are appropriate Sith Lord names for him.

The U.S. Army Pacific gets half credit for their work with admitting there’s Sith within their ranks (appropriate since we know there’s white supremacists who train within in the army to spread their knowledge after). While the first soldier has a Blue Lightsaber, the second soldier has a red one and looks like he’s about to cut down his squad mate like Vader did to Obi-wan or Qui-Gon did to Maul. Maybe he’s going all Order 66?

US Army Sith

Now, with a lot of fail, the DOD Rapid Response at least got most of the assignment right. While some of the stats are likely bullshit, the team there gave us a scrolling opening like the movies and at least go the Lightsaber colors right at the end.

Born in the USA: The Story of Immigration and Belonging is a great way to learn about the history

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Born in the USA tracks the history of immigration to the United States, revealing how economic interests and political winds have sculpted Americans’ thoughts about who belongs in the USA. From black enslavement to Chinese exclusion and the modern-day debate over birthright citizenship, Lawrence Goldstone and James Otis Smith reveal the dissonance between the American Dream and the American Reality.

Story: Lawrence Goldstone
Art: James Otis Smith

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Bookshop
Amazon

First Second provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Super7 is Increasing Prices Due to Tariffs

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Super7 logo

We’re admittedly behind in our coverage of the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on the comic/toy/game industry but we’ll catch up, starting with Super7.

The company has announced that it has started an 8% surcharge to all non-apparel items.

Super7 features a lot of lines and properties including the popular ReAction line of figures.

To put it in perspective, a $20 figure would have an extra $1.60 added to its price.

While the current prices listed on the site (as of this article) don’t reflect the price increase, when we looked in our cart, the price increase was present.

You can reader Super7’s full announcement below.

Dear Super7 Community,

We want to share an important update about how recent changes in global trade and import tariffs are affecting us.

Starting today, April 24th, an 8% surcharge will be added to all non-apparel items.

We didn’t come to this decision lightly. For as long as possible, we’ve worked to absorb these rising costs ourselves—without passing them along to you. Unfortunately, the scale of these increases has made it unsustainable for us to continue doing so entirely. Even with this surcharge, it still doesn’t cover the full impact we’re facing.

We’re doing everything we can behind the scenes to minimize the effect on our community. If conditions change or a better solution becomes available, we’ll reevaluate this surcharge immediately.

Super7 has always been about more than just toys—it’s about the people who collect them. We’ll keep you updated every step of the way, and we sincerely appreciate your understanding and continued support during this time.

Sincerely,
Team Super7

Entertainment Earth Announces Price Increases and Delays

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Entertainment Earth

With President Donald Trump’s tariffs sending shockwaves through numerous industries, many are scrambling to figure out what to do and how to manage the current price increases. Tariffs are taxes paid by the company importing the product based on their declared value. So, if a product has a value of $10 and it’s a 100% tariff, the company would pay $10, this doubling their “cost.” That increased cost has to then be made up somewhere and that means either the company has to decrease its profits or pass along the increase to consumers. Many are doing the latter, increasing the price of their products which is trickling down to consumers.

The toy industry is being greatly impacted as many of their products are made overseas, particularly China where the President has enacted a tariff of 145% and when added on to existing ones, the levies on some Chinese goods could reach 245%. That’s a massive increase in costs that didn’t exist just a few months ago. And, with products planned months in advance, products that went into production before the tariffs even existed are being impacted.

Someone has to pay, and it looks like it’ll be consumers in the end. Entertainment Earth has announced that consumers can expect price increases or delays. In an email, the store wrote:

I want to update you on the current environment (specifically related to new tariff policy) and the impact it is having on our business and our pricing.

Since February, the Entertainment Earth team has been working as hard as possible with our vendor partners and internally to absorb as much cost impact as possible. Unfortunately, we cannot absorb all of the cost increases/tariffs, particularly on products coming from China.  Additionally, the current situation is preventing many retailers (ourselves included) from importing product from China which will impact timing of product receipt.

A few things to know:

  • You will be receiving information in the coming days on price increases and/or delays based on cost increases from vendors and/or tariffs.
  • To protect you and your purchases, you will be able to adjust your orders without penalty, as we understand the new costs may impact your ability/desire for these products.
  • If the environment changes and we have the opportunity to reduce prices, we have every intention to do so based on positive changes in the cost structure of toys. Our goal is to support you in building and growing your collections.

Entertainment Earth was built by fans with the singular purpose of bringing pop culture joy to all of you. As fans and collectors ourselves, it truly pains us both personally and professionally not to be able to deliver amazing collector products from so many terrific partners at prices that meet your (and our) expectations.

Please know that we continue to advocate for improved pricing from all possible partners, that we continue to “tighten our belt” as much as possible to serve you, and that if we see positive changes that can lower price, we will pass them on.

Thank you deeply for your continued support and partnership. As always, please feel free to reach out to our team with any questions.

Best regards,
Billy Lagor, CEO Entertainment Earth, and the EE Team

Abrams Books Employees Announce Vote to Unionize

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Abrams UAW Local 2110

Unionization in the “geek space” was a big thing for a bit and then just seemed to peter out. But, employees at Abrams Books are looking to be the latest. On Monday, the United Auto Workers, Local 2110 petitioned the National Labor Relations Board to allow Abrams’ employees to vote on whether to unionize. Editors, publicists, marketers, production managers, designers, managing editors, sales, distribution, mailroom, IT, and finance staffers would be eligible to vote.

Wages are at the center for the want to unionize. Entry-level salaries for employees at the Big Five publishing houses are about $50,000 a year, Entry-level salaries at Abrams remain at $40,000. That, as well as a lack of job security and the need for greater transparency are reasons for the unionization attempt.

Sarah Robbins, an associate editor for five years said:

The work we do at the company is essential. Without our labor, Abrams couldn’t publish any books. We want to be heard and treated with respect, which includes fair wages and better job protections.

Abrams is aware of the UAW’s request to the NLRB but has not released a comment.

Abrams, founded in 1949, publishes art books, graphic novels, comics, and children’s books. It’s the home of the wildly successful Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series.

UAW Local 2110 also represents employees at HarperCollins, the New Press, and the Asian American Writers Workshop.

(via Publisher’s Weekly)

BigBadToyStore Releases an Update on Tariff Impact

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BigBadToyStore

With the current economic and trade whiplash going on due to the whims of President Trump, there’s a lot of concern about the impact to the comic, tabletop game, and toy industries. It’s sure to raise prices in various ways due to straight up tariffs or an increase to the cost of supplies… due to tariffs. Much of production is in China, Vietnam, and Canada, all of whom are impacted in some way. BigBadToyStore has sent an email concerning the impact of the economic chaos and the likely increase in prices coming.

Short version, expect price increases. You can read the full email below:

I’m writing to share with you how we are working to handle the rapidly escalating tariff situation.  I want to be transparent and honest with you about the impacts of these tariffs. This is a complex situation so I apologize upfront for the length of my note, but I feel it is important to be as clear as possible in this difficult time.
 
Tariffs – What Just Happened
For 25 years, we have operated as a family-owned business under a 0% tariff rate. Several months ago a 10% tariff was enacted for goods made in China. It was then doubled to 20%. In April a 34% tariff was added to the total, bringing us to 54%. Last night another 50% was added, and today (April 9th) an additional 21% was added, bringing us to 125% total tariffs on Chinese goods. Vietnam was to be subject to a 46% tariff, but it appears that this has been reduced to 10% for the next 90 days. These two countries manufacture 90% of the goods that we sell.
 
What is the Impact
This unfortunately is going to result in retail price increases on products impacted by the tariffs, including new and open pre-orders. We are working hard to minimize these increases through discussions with our vendors, deploying the most efficient importing processes, and ultimately sharing directly in the financial pain. I’m heartbroken to have to do this, and I hate this tariff situation: it is ridiculous, poorly thought out, poorly implemented, cruel and punishing to everyone involved in affected countries and at every level of our industry.
 
Who Pays Tariffs
Tariffs are a tax on the US consumer. Foreign governments do NOT pay these tariffs. The US based companies who import these goods are directly responsible for paying the tariffs. And ultimately, the US based consumer pays for them through higher product prices. We are devastated that it has come to this, and we will continue to work hard to minimize the impact to you.
 
When and How will Prices Change
In the past month we have raised prices in a manner that was inclusive of expected tariffs, while also honoring previously pre-ordered prices. Unfortunately, the dramatic increases in tariff levels has now made this approach impossible.
 
To minimize confusion during this rapidly changing situation, we will be changing newly affected pre-order product listings to reflect our normal, non-tariff-based price. We will also add a notice indicating that a tariff surcharge will be added at the time of the product’s arrival. We will inform you of the full amount before your payment method is charged. You will also be able to cancel your pre-order at that time if the surcharge amount is something you do not wish to pay. Our customer service team, as always, will be ready to help with any issues that arise from this situation, and we will be very flexible given the circumstances. Today, we expect the surcharge may be between 15% to 40% of the pre-order price, however that could change as the situation continues to unfold. Please note that any items currently In Stock are not subject to the tariff.
 
We are working as fast as we can to make these changes clear on our site, but it will take us time. We have over 10,000 items listed for pre-order currently, and it is going to take us time to work through how each vendor will respond to their specific tariff situation. Our supply chain is complex and we have hundreds of vendors. The timing of when a particular tariff is applied will depend on a variety of factors including import shipping dates and any new rules set by the government.  
 
Finally
I absolutely hate increasing prices to you, but the tariff situation is beyond our control. If tariffs are reduced or removed, we will reduce or remove the tariff surcharges on orders accordingly. My pledge to you is that we will be fair, and we will share the pain of this. I assure you we are already feeling significant economic and business disruption pain from these tariffs. We will continue to work hard to serve you with the quality and customer service level you expect as we navigate through this difficult time.
 
I want to thank you deeply for all the trust and loyalty that you have placed in BBTS with your collecting passion. Whether you have recently joined our family or have been with us for years, we truly value our relationship with you and will do our best to continue to earn your trust every day.
 
Sincerely,
Joel Boblit
Founder and President

Certified Collectibles Group (CCG) Releases Guidance for International Submissions

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Certified Collectibles Group

With international shipping and trade rules changing every day and who knows what will come when, there’s been a lot of confusion and trepidation concerning shipping anything to or from the United States. Collectible grading services have been impacted and are doing their best to keep users of their services updated as far as best practices. Certified Collectibles Group (CCG) has sent an email today with numerous suggestions as to how to handle shipments from countries outside of the United States for individuals that want to use their services.

Check out their update below:

The Certified Collectibles Group (CCG) serves the vibrant collectibles market worldwide through a network of offices and Official Submission Centers. Following the imposition of new or increased tariffs on imports to the United States, many customers have asked about any impact to their submissions to CCG. Fortunately, international submissions to CCG should not incur tariffs if the proper procedures are followed.

CCG’s recommendation for international (non-US) submissions

CCG strongly recommends that all submissions from customers located outside of the US be made to one of CCG’s international locations:

All of CCG’s international offices provide a “white glove” service that includes shipping, insurance, customs clearance (where applicable) and all associated costs. No tariffs should apply to any submissions made to one of CCG’s international offices.

  • London, United Kingdom
  • Munich, Germany
  • Hong Kong, China
  • Shanghai, China (Note: This option is recommended only for customers located in Mainland China. All submissions in Mainland China must be made through an eligible Official Submission Center or Authorized Dealer.)
  • Dubai, United Arab Emirates (coming soon!)

Go here to see contact information for CCG’s international offices.

A secondary option (not recommended)

While not recommended, international submitters with an ability to work with a customs broker may submit directly to CCG in the US by using the Temporary Importation under Bond (TIB) process, which is not subject to tariffs if done properly. Any international submission made directly to CCG in the US must be made using a TIB and the submitter must identify themself as the “importer of record.” The submitter will also be responsible for any tariffs, duties or fees associated with their shipment to/from CCG in the US.

Please note: Any international submitter to CCG in the US must self-designate as the “importer of record.” Any packages designating CCG as the “importer of record” will be rejected by CCG, may be held by US customs and may incur substantial fees.

International packages must go back to the sender’s address

CCG will not accept any address changes for international shipments. All return packages must go back to the address where they were shipped from in order to avoid any customs issues. If a submission is made in the US (at a trade show, for example) and the submitter requests that the submission be shipped internationally once completed, the customer will be responsible for all shipping costs, including any tariffs, duties or fees for the return shipment.

Disclaimer: CCG is not a customs broker or a law firm. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

President Trump announces a 90-day tariffs pause except for China

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With so many questions in the air as far as the impact of President Trump’s Tariff War on the comic and tabletop game industry, there’s a 90-day pause now that’ll leave some breathing room for publishers to keep on worrying, sort of.

President Trump has issued a 90-day pause and Reciprocal Tariff of 10 percent. But, tariffs on China will be 125 percent due to China’s “lack of respect” towards the world’s markets.

Trump’s pause impacts 75 trading partners who did not “retaliate” after the tariffs he imposed went into effect.

The whiplash continues an erratic economic plan that leaves much up in the air for the comic, toy, and tabletop game industry.

Much of the production for those industries happen in China and Canada, requiring importing of product to the United States. The tariffs threaten all of those industries with some game publishers canceling projects, pausing projects, eating the increased costs, or asking for more money.

While it is believed that the tariffs don’t impact comic publishing in Canada (and honestly who knows with the morons in charge) the continued tariffs on Chinese imports will still potentially crush the industries.

There’s also the question as to what happens after 90 days? With production taking so long for games and comics, it’s hard to plan on the economic outlook and what to charge at this point.

This economic unknown along with distribution uncertainty in the comic industry creates a landscape that will be difficult to navigate for all three industries for the foreseeable future.

SAG-AFTRA Leaders Head to Capitol Hill to reintroduce the NO FAKES Act

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SAG-AFTRA logo

Today, a press conference was held celebrating the SAG-AFTRA-supported, bi-partisan Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act as it was reintroduced in the Senate. If passed, the bill — sponsored by Sens. Marsha Blackburn, Chris Coons, Amy Klobuchar, and Thom Tillis — would establish a federal right in voice and likeness to protect against unauthorized use of digital replicas in audiovisual works and sound recordings. 

The legislation goes beyond protecting actors, recording artists, and broadcasters, but also targets deepfakes which can, and have, ruined lives. It protects individuals from harm and also the creative community that rely on their face and voice for their livelihood. With it, individuals can demand platforms to remove illegal voice and image clones. Also, individuals would be able to seek damages from those who intentionally cause harm.

The NO FAKES Act would preserve existing protections at the state level, such as Tennessee’s landmark SAG-AFTRA-supported ELVIS Act and California’s SAG-AFTRA-sponsored AB2602, while providing one strong, consent-based framework for digital replica uses in expressive works nationwide. 

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