Mark Millar looks at the comic industry, and only semi-likes what he sees:
Obviously, I’ve been insanely lucky for the last few years and always sell around the 100K mark. But these sales have been edging up on more recent projects last year and the trade numbers are increasing all the time. The retailers I know are all very happy and the companies themselves seem to be doing better and better business. But I still hear concerns and talking to some people on the fiscal side of the industry I’ve heard that under-performance from some of the majors has meant that, although Marvel sales are very good, overall industry sales are slightly disappointing over the past 12 months. They’re still good, but not where they should be.
Other Millarworlders chime in on the thread to admit that they’re part of the problem; the amount of titles they’re reading has dropped, seemingly across the board. This gets Millar thinking:
This is fascinating and quite surprising in places. Like Rob said, I WANT to buy more, but can’t really find a huge amount of stuff that excites me. I also feel a tectonic shift going on. Something’s happening with the older characters where they’re starting to feel a bit like Sherlock Holmes (ie, something I love, but recognize as shifting past their mainstream sell-by date). The stuff that excites me most at the moment is the newer material. I think Robert Kirkman and BKV, for example, have raised the bar enormously on the mainstream indie market and I find my tastes moving more in this direction.
I dunno. We’re in a really interesting time right now. And after most of 07 with nothing out (just two single issues) I’m quite excited to flood the market again with five new runs in 08.
Next year: Mark Millar saves the comic industry. You heard it here second, folks.
October 17th, 2007 at 6:36 pm
I find it funny that Mr. Millar seems rarely read any small press books despite his love for comics.
October 17th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
I think both the Skrull Invasion and Final Crisis will be the last of the mega-crossovers for some time.
October 17th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
“I find it funny that Mr. Millar seems rarely read any small press books despite his love for comics.”
What do you mean? In his post, Millar says, “my indie numbers have more than doubled,” in the last year or two.
October 17th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
“Next year: Mark Millar saves the comic industry. You heard it here second, folks.
But, Graeme, he’s been saving us all along! Heh.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
Tranlation of Millar’s musings: “God, aren’t I great?“
October 17th, 2007 at 11:53 pm
Comics sales might also be down because the cost of living is getting so high. In the last 7 years, the price of gasoline has risen from an average of $1.49 a gallon to $2.89. For those heating with fuel oil, that cost is expected to be 25% higher this winter than last. Home foreclosures are at their highest rate since the Great Depression. Food costs have risen in double digit rates the last few years. Where do people get money enough to break even, let alone buy 20 comics every week?
October 18th, 2007 at 10:16 am
“I find it funny that Mr. Millar seems rarely read any small press books despite his love for comics.”
I think a lot of creators [have mentioned], they don’t have the TIME to read a lot books.
October 18th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Dammit, Alan, quit confusing the issue with LOGIC!
Countdown or a gallon of gas?
Countdown or a gallon of gas?
October 18th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
The state of comics is such that there is a lack of truly great comics and a lot of good comics. The good ones give the illusion that things are better, but the lack of a high watermark of a truly great comics has killed at least my interests in reading as of late, and I buy about one of everything.
October 19th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Yeah, Coil stop stinking up the place with all your logic & reasoning.