Here’s some good news, for a change: The comic industry isn’t completely dying! Just some parts of it are!
At least, that’s the take of industry website ICv2, which is reporting that the comic industry “is poised for a turnaround,” but adding that “the effect probably isn’t going to be the same for all formats.” The industry-wide rise brought on by DC’s New 52 is, unsurprisingly, credited with bringing the individual issue direct market out of a slump, but graphic novel sales are apparently beset by numerous problems including high prices and too much product to make each book profitable. Maybe most interestingly of all is the impact of the growing digital market, and in particular, this line: “Retailers interviewed by ICv2 do not feel they’re losing sales to digital competition on DC’s day and date titles.” I wonder, does this mean that DC could consider lowering day-and-date prices without backlash…?
November 4th, 2011 at 10:01 am
People have been predicting the death of comics for 40 years.
November 8th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
I completely agree graphic novels have been damaged by high prices. Some books, particularly Marvel’s (and I am not a Marvel-Hater at all). The four issue Wade Wilson’s War mini was collected into a $20 hardcover, a rate of $5 an issue. That is just ridiculous. Now, I live in NYC, so I go to the Strand and get used GNs half off. But I still bought the paperback because the price was insane, even half off.