Posted in: Comic Show, Recent Updates | Tagged: comic con, dc, diamond, idw, image, marvel, retailers, san diego

"There's No One Else We Can Kill" – State Of The Comics Industry At San Diego Comic Con – Live!

Jeremy Atkins from Dark Horse sees possibilities with the decline of the book trade, as comic stores may now be closer to customers than their nearest book store.

David Gabriel of Marvel joked "There's no one else we can kill", recognising a current stagnation in the market, and seeing an increase in new stores and second stores as the way to grow the market, emphasising how Marvel is supporting new stores.

Ted Adams of IDW has compared 2010 and 2011 for IDW and for both comic stores and bookstores saw an increase in business of 15%. But sees how Amazon is devaluing books with their heavy discounting.

Eric Stephenson reports that Image's business has been booming, but expressed concern for comics retailers, with the room confirming the belief that shop owners are working harder, for less or the same money. He emphasised the increase in backmatter in serialised comics that's not trade collected as a way to maintain collectable monthly comics.

Rodger Fletcher of Diamond reports a minor decline in comic sales but sales increases in many other categories and the customer account, the amount of stores they service, rather than falling, is up half a percent, year on year.

Bob Wayne of DC Comics is optimistic looking at comic bookstore retailer orders that have been returned already. Periodical sales had been soft, but September's numbers look strong, "It's as if we have a lot of number ones…" but has also seen general bookstore sales rise. He cited the returnability of certain titles in the New 52 as a way DC is supporting retailers and that there will be more programs to follow and more media interest to come. He's also been really enjoying the books DC have been creating, reading Grant Morrison's Action Comics in script form, not able to wait for the drawn issues.

Rodger Fletcher also emphasised Diamond's support for retailers opening second or third stores, getting maximum discount on stock for new outlets, extended terms and general assistance. David Gabriel talked about when they announced their new retailer programme, they received several calls almost instantly from people wanting to open new stores. Erik Stephenson pointed out that Erik Larsen of Image had opened a new store this year. Diamond confirmed that in the US and Canada, there are 2300 stores that Diamond service.

Some retailers were concerned about a cluster of stores in certain areas. Diamond said that around fifty stores are looking to open new outlets, but guiding people to look to underserved areas. There was also concern that while there is help for new stores, existing stores are suffering cash flow and inventory issues.

But there was love for Marvel and Dark Horse's promotions to pick up new titles and retailers talking about trying new works that they would not have ordered otherwise – and selling them.

Dark Horse is looking at Buffy Season Nine with Angel as a big retail pull, with new high profile titles from big names such as Guillermo Del Toro, with Dark Horse promising comic retailers will have a competitive edge against digital sales.

Marvel announced that 150 comic book retailers have participated in the Amazing Spider-Man #666 cover – although Sarah Palin had to be removed from one of the retailer's cover., promising huge amounts of interest for Ultimate Fallout #1 and Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1 – promising something never before seen in comics, and Marvel overprint to help with underorders. They also promise a tie in with the ending of X-Men Schism, Fear Itself and Children's Crusade. And the big superhero team/creative team being announced today by Marvel.

IDW has seen a big order for Kevin Eastman on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the new remaking of the original Star Trek TV series in the JJ Abrams universe. Image will be making lots of announcements but sees Walking Dead series 2 as a big boost for that comic.

Diamond is looking at Diamond Digital to help retailers bridge the digital gap, and a blizzard sale to help retailers stock up for the holidays.

Dark Horse has discovered that the digital sales of their comic are not affecting sales in print, and retailers seemed to back that up. Dark Horse sees the audiences as separate and distinct. And that digital comics make up 2% at best of their sales – digital customers often are just looking for the cheapest product, no matter what it is.

Bob Wayne saw things differently, in that it was easier to sell a digital comic to someone using a related digital product such as a game that ties into the comic. And how they sold copies of MegaTokyo and other books to people who had read them all for free online already.

David Gabriel also stated that, while Marvel are going slow with day-and-date digital, print sales seem to rise on these selected titles, on both initial orders and reorders. There was some sceptability from the audience but Gabriel pointed out that this was also possibly down to the increased promotion and recognised that would be less apparent as more books went in that direction.

The meeting closed, much more to come and discuss…

Updating…

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