“Here’s the problem, the people that do go to comic book stores buy mostly superhero books. Most comic stores can’t afford to hold all the manga products and indie books simply because they don’t sell.”

On that note, here is Kyle Baker’s take on the direct market:

“There are at least two different audiences for comics these days. What sells the best at Barnes & Noble isn’t what sells the best at a comic book store. They both think their market is the only one, and no one will buy what doesn’t sell in their kind of store. I’ve gone into a comic shop and asked why they don’t have kids comics. They say, ‘Kids don’t like Scooby-Doo.’ Of course kids like Scooby-Doo. What they don’t like is most comic stores.”

Read the rest of the article:

http://www.comicmix.com/news/2007/06/26/interview-lillian-and-kyle-baker/

The bottom line is that comic shops must change their image to appeal to more than regular customers. For example, if you want to boost manga sales, how about advertise Naruto and Sailor Moon in the shop’s front window? Then, manga fans walking by won’t just assume you a “superheroes only” store.

Just a thought.

And we have plenty of those guys, too.

It’s the same way with me. I like some superhero comics, but I wish people would open up their minds a bit and buy stuff that isn’t just superheroes. Doesn’t mean I don’t like superheroes, just means I dislike the fact that people think that is all there is.

The reason the direct market is mainly “cape and underwear” books is because it is the monthly comic book format is the “bread” of the industry. Everything else is butter. You can live off bread, you can’t live off butter.

There are no stores that just sell manga and “indie” books. Even a store like Rocketship in Brooklyn which is very “indie” friendly has more than 50% of their shelves lined with superhero books.

Comparing comic book stores to regular bookstores is like comparing apples to oranges. In New York City – publishing capital of the world, the independent bookstore [that specializes in one genre like children or mystery books] is practically extinct. Yet, you have several thriving comic book stores like Midtown and Jim Hanley’s.

Oh, wait…