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Notes From A Keynote Speech at Image Expo 2018 – Eric Stephenson is Talking

Image Comics publisher Eric Stephenson is giving the keynote speech at Image Expo 2o18 at Image Expo. Bleeding Cool roving reporter Ian Melton is in the room and is sending us notes. We will be updating…

Notes From A Keynote Speech at Image Expo 2018 – Eric Stephenson is Talking

  • The main talk is retailers talking about increasing sales. And issues with Marvel all over the place. Few people here due to the huge winter storm last night. Seem to be at about half capacity.

Notes From A Keynote Speech at Image Expo 2018 – Eric Stephenson is Talking

  • Mostly retailers it seems. People coming from North Dakota, Tennessee.
  • Keynote is beginning.
  • Stephenson thanks Portland for hosting.
  • Thanking Mike Richardson for making a home for comics in Portland.
  • "Great part of Portland is how aware everyone here is aware of comics, aware that Image is now here."
  • "For decades we had to hunt for our comics at convenience stores, grocery stores … now there are comic book stores everywhere and you can read comics on your phone."
  • "Comics used to be shunned now they are embraced. Comics used to be just superheroes now diversity is becoming the norm. Audiences used to be mostly men, now they are everyone."
  • "Comics as a thing, used to mean one certain thing, a 32 page monthly. Now they have a great variety."
  • "Creators can now own most or all of their properties. That is what we call progress."
  • "Nothing was ever accomplished by playing it safe. Retailers here I feel will agree with me. That initial risk is one you are glad you took."
  • "2017 was Image comics 2nd most successful year since I took over and also 2nd most successful this century."
  • "Great new talent still has the opportunity to take us by surprise. God Country is proof of this. God Country defied convention as sales went up with each issue. Walking Dead and Saga are more proof of this."
  • "Saga is not a slave to the standard monthly release schedule or format and the quality and sales have not suffered because of this."
  • "3.32 market share when Stephenson took over."
  • "Image provides a near perfect example of not playing it safe leads to success."
  • "At its heart Image's business model is built on belief in their creators and taking chances."
  • "I would encourage everyone to take a risk on new creators and titles you've never heard of."
  • "Let's all start believing in comics."

Notes From A Keynote Speech at Image Expo 2018 – Eric Stephenson is Talking

UPDATE: When everyone filled the place…

Notes From A Keynote Speech at Image Expo 2018 – Eric Stephenson is Talking


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Rich JohnstonAbout Rich Johnston

Founder of Bleeding Cool. The longest-serving digital news reporter in the world, since 1992. Author of The Flying Friar, Holed Up, The Avengefuls, Doctor Who: Room With A Deja Vu, The Many Murders Of Miss Cranbourne, Chase Variant. Lives in South-West London, works from Blacks on Dean Street, shops at Piranha Comics. Father of two. Political cartoonist.
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