The writing has been on the wall for a few months as upcoming projects (mainly Ghost Whisperer and Lost Season 4) got pushed back and no information or checklists were released. Phone calls and emails from concerned customer as well as distributors went unanswered. And I don't need to get into the distaste over their decision to go for sticker autos.
As much as I loved Inkworks their so-called 3-6-9 and case loader formula was getting a little long in the tooth. However, they have a soft spot in my heart since Roswell was the first non-sport Master Set I built (not that hard, but it was still the first), and I spent a ton of $ on their Lost releases.
And yes, The Spirit bombed and there are reports that Inkworks may already be out of some redemption fulfillments for that set.
All in all, a very sad day. It will be interesting how the non-sport world will be now. Also it will be interesting to see if anyone picks up the licensing for Lost, Ghost Whisperer, or whatever they may still have.
Inkworks always had a knack for the lesser licenses. Who else would have picked up Journey to the Center of the Earth, Scorpion King, or Robots? And you would never find a more exemplary level of customer service.
So I guess we have these as the bigger players:
Rittenhouse - the obvious "winner" in this, if there really is one (Marvel/DC licenses, Bond and Trek franchises)
Topps - Indy, SW, LotR
Artbox - Harry Potter, 24 (though their website has been "under construction" apparently for a couple of months, potentially?)
Breygent - movie poster stuff
Strictly Ink - Dr Who?
And who knows what Panini will do with Donruss' Americana.
