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Con Suite => Comics, Books, and Toys! => Topic started by: AzT on February 25, 2017, 09:33:14 PM

Title: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on February 25, 2017, 09:33:14 PM
Please use this thread to discuss all things related to the business of comics :)

To start:

In this enlightening Bleeding Cool article, the legendary Neal Adams references data from the Fair Page Rates and 2016 Survey Results to show why those involved in the comic creative process need to work together for improved compensation and treatment:

https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/02/02/comic-creators-work-together-neal-adams/

Quote
Neal Adams writes,

If you have seen the latest figures on the common rates on “Fair Page Rates”  for our fellow professionals in the industry, you are probably as disappointed as I to know in your heart how hard comic book artists work to produce their comic books. There is nothing wrong with shopping for artists around the world, which Marvel is doing followed by DC and others, and shopping for cheaper talent. But there is only one world to go to. And just like everyone else, artists have to live, get married, pay rent and put their kids through school while they buy clothes cars and food. We should all, Publishers, Comic Book Stores and Creatives, all of us should be fighting to raise the Standards of our Industry and endeavor to pay people properly for their work.

But we all also know that if the comic books do not sell to the audience then the downward trend cannot be easily stopped.  We all, all of us must be mindful of any and all methodologies that can increase sales to a broader audience so that creatives get paid properly for their work. Publishers pay low rates but rent big offices. Publishers depend on movies and television to advertise their product but hardly spend money to advertise to the consumer.

The Creatives, to protect themselves from the downward spiral, do their independent projects in hopes to sell them for tv and or film projects. Yet they rarely make smart deals and look for licensing and to otherwise market their product in other areas. This information sheet that you can find here is a Great First Step to informing others about the Standards of the Industry. Though incomplete, it gives a good overview of what’s going on. It will help Freelancers to protect themselves to some extent. It is just the beginning to inform and bring true assistance to Freelancers in the Industry.

I don’t know all the answers but Information is the first step. As an overall principle “We want our Publishers to get rich but we want them to share it with us.” We all need to work together to stay informed and share ideas. I, for one, will help in any way whether you be Publisher, Comic Book Store, Distributor or Freelancer, to help improve our Industry and to put better rates into the hands of Freelancers based on the overall success of our product to more and more people. Book Publishers share information and though, we may seem scattered, we still communicate with each other and each can offer a helping hand to make this industry better.

https://fairpagerates.com/year-in-review-2016-survey-results/
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Chris on February 25, 2017, 09:54:17 PM

My random comments:

I have always appreciated the art of comics for 25 years and appreciated it more since I have tried to learn to draw and found out how hard it is to do.

I think they get a bad rap as not artists because of the subject matter, but they are extremely talented .  For perspective, google Oliver Coipel, Stuart Immonen, or Simone Bianchi's art and then think that they have to output a page/day to complete a monthly comic.

Marc Silvestri commented that the talent pool is the deepest its ever been and I agree.

It is my understanding that artists are still freelance making around $200/page and while watching a documentary on comics, they make the same ratio of pay to cover price of the comics to what it was when comics started.

My personal feeling is comic artists are in fact artists and are underpaid.

I'll be sure to talk about writers in my next random post.  :)
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on March 03, 2017, 07:00:20 PM
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My random comments:

I have always appreciated the art of comics for 25 years and appreciated it more since I have tried to learn to draw and found out how hard it is to do.

I think they get a bad rap as not artists because of the subject matter, but they are extremely talented .  For perspective, google Oliver Coipel, Stuart Immonen, or Simone Bianchi's art and then think that they have to output a page/day to complete a monthly comic.

Marc Silvestri commented that the talent pool is the deepest its ever been and I agree.

It is my understanding that artists are still freelance making around $200/page and while watching a documentary on comics, they make the same ratio of pay to cover price of the comics to what it was when comics started.

My personal feeling is comic artists are in fact artists and are underpaid.

I'll be sure to talk about writers in my next random post.  :)

Agreed, especially with your point that "comic artists are in fact artists and are underpaid." Taken to heart upon every con visit to an Artist's Alley; their hard work needs $upport.

Called to mind this optimistic take from a recent Newsarama series: http://www.newsarama.com/33362-can-comic-books-last-publishers-views-on-future-of-serialized-comics.html

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"The format of a comic book, to me, is so perfect." Price said. "It’s portable, it’s a beautiful piece of art; a comic fills your field of vision while at the same time moving you through a story in a coherent yet artistic way. While we never know what tomorrow may bring, I certainly hope they are around forever."
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on March 11, 2017, 12:17:12 PM
This overdue move should certainly help Marvel get the word out about their comics ;)

http://comicbook.com/2017/03/11/marvel-will-soon-advertise-comics-at-a-theater-near-you/

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Press Release
 
The greatest heroes, the biggest creators and the can’t-miss comic titles of 2017 are coming to a big screen and a small screen near you. Today, Marvel is pleased to announce an ambitious spring advertising campaign that will see several key Marvel Comics releases advertised ahead of blockbuster films and airing on broadcast television channels with the key goal of exciting and mobilizing TV & Film fans into local comic book shops and retailers.
 
First, Marvel Comics are coming to a theater near you! Beginning this weekend, keep your eyes peeled for special pre-trailer advertisements before some of 2017’s biggest releases! Including ads promoting Marvel’s highly-anticipated SECRET EMPIRE event ahead of select screenings of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2!
 
Then, Marvel Comics come to the small screen with dedicated TV advertising and promotions. To be featured on ABC and other broadcast networks nationwide, fans can look forward to dedicated spots, on-air interviews, and more devoted towards Marvel’s biggest comic book launches this spring — SECRET EMPIRE and Marvel’s upcoming slate of X-MEN titles and more!
 
This year, Marvel continues to bridge the worlds of graphic fiction with all new audiences and now, with extensive advertising activations, the House of Ideas is set to reach entirely new audiences in 2017 and invite them directly into local comic shops! The biggest characters and creators are waiting for you at your nearest comic retailer!
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Pyramid on March 11, 2017, 01:03:59 PM
Great article and link!  Thx for sharing!  I'd also like to add that many artists end up having to sell their originals to get by.  I had no idea BOOM was such a bad place to work.  I don't think I'll support them anymore.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Mel on March 11, 2017, 02:05:05 PM
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Great article and link!  Thx for sharing!  I'd also like to add that many artists end up having to sell their originals to get by.  I had no idea BOOM was such a bad place to work.  I don't think I'll support them anymore.

Where did you see that Boom is bad?
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Chris on March 11, 2017, 02:12:16 PM
The hero initiative I believe was started because comic creators didn't get much beyond their freelance fees which made saving for longterm difficult


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hero_Initiative

The Hero Initiative, formerly known as A Commitment to Our Roots, or ACTOR, is the first federally recognized not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping comic book creators, writers and artists in need. Founded in late 2000 by a consortium of comic book and trade publishers, including Marvel Comics, Image Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Wizard Entertainment, CrossGen Comics and Dynamic Forces Inc., the 501(c)(3) charity aims to assist comic creators with health, medical, and quality-of-life assistance.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Pyramid on March 11, 2017, 02:14:27 PM
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Where did you see that Boom is bad?

Scroll down there's 20 statements.  I am also surprised by Zenescope especially since they gave me their business card for penciling work.  Glad I dodge that.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on March 26, 2017, 09:38:27 AM
Diversifying their portfolio again...

http://www.newsarama.com/33728-marvel-gets-musical-with-marvel-playback.html

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Marvel Entertainment has been on the forefront of merging the worlds of comics and music, and starting today, Marvel is proud to introduce MARVEL PLAYBACK. Debuting exclusively with Marvel.com, MARVEL PLAYBACK sits down with some of the biggest names in music as they present and showoff their love of the comic book industry, their local comic shops, and all things Marvel.
 
Kicking off today, MARVEL PLAYBACK was offered the chance to speak with Pat Carney from The Black Keys and spoke with him about the synergy between music and comics, the timelessness of Marvel Comics, and who first introduced him to the world of comic books. “I got into comics when I was 10 years old,” said Carney. “I remember looking at the old comics that my dad had and they were all 12 cents. I started mowing lawns when I was in 4th grade just to be able to pay for comic books.”

A companion video series to the Marvel Music Spotlight Series, MARVEL PLAYBACK, will continue to offers fans behind-the-scenes interviews available nowhere else that. Available only on Marvel.com, MARVEL PLAYBACK will be released in conjunction with future Marvel Music Spotlight Videos and will further emphasize the natural connectivity between music and comics through the personal stories and anecdotes from some of the biggest names in music and how Marvel comics have helped shaped their unique sound.

as Maul proved to be a hit:

From http://comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2017/2017-02.html

Quote
So while Diamond acknowledged the performance of the Walking Dead issue in its press release, it ranked Marvel's Star Wars: Darth Maul #1 as the top-seller for February.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on April 05, 2017, 08:11:07 AM
Essential reading from ICv2 - including an article by Rob Salkowitz - about the recent Marvel Retailer Summit:

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/37154/marvel-retailer-summit-day-1

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/37153/marvel-retailer-summit-day-1

http://gwillowwilson.com/post/159094504658/so-about-that-whole-thing

https://icv2.com/articles/columns/view/37177/marvels-problem-isnt-diversity-its-much-bigger-and-its-not-just-marvels-problem
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: matthew on April 15, 2017, 10:59:30 PM
this was very interesting.

please note that some people are making $9,700.00 a week for webcomics.  often these artists work with one or more people. cuts down the prize. and sometimes one must post free work for months, to get noticed, and prove you can pump out weekly content. the content is often (but not always...) far from what american style comics offer in way of artistic quality. this is happening here:   http://www.webtoons.com/en/

one must surrender printing rights for 1 year on content posted, and cannot post elsewhere, should a fee start being paid. some people are making far more than the fee on merchandise.



then there are odd tales, like the comic "tales of demons and gods". made by a chinese writer (a unknown), who does poor drawings to illustrate his half decade old story, gets tens of millions of hits on individual pirate sites. i can only wonder who is paying him to keep drawing issues, as he is on his 120th or so one,  he would not do so if it did not pay.


could work translated into other languages be a key? or just a window for pirates to swipe content in a new country? lol tales of demons and gods got famous by being pirated from china into america. how is that for a change of pace?



here, a comic made for viewing mostly on a phone:  http://www.webtoons.com/en/thriller/chiller/life-and-death-dey/viewer?title_no=536&episode_no=1








Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on April 19, 2017, 08:34:34 PM
To better understand the present business, a 8) flashback is sometimes due:

http://www.newsarama.com/32561-100-little-known-facts-about-comic-books-part-1.html#s1

http://www.newsarama.com/32571-100-little-known-facts-about-comic-books-part-2.html

http://www.newsarama.com/32587-100-little-known-facts-about-comic-books-part-3.html
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: matthew on April 19, 2017, 09:38:18 PM
a color cover with black and white interior comic with 32 pages at 20,000 copies costs about 28 cents a book.

you nor the publisher, decide the price of a comic, diamond distributors does.

diamond also approves if the comic is to be accepted, not just the publisher.

for each the first 4 harry potter movies, the ip holder got about 433,000.00 american dollars each.

30 days and 30 nights movie adaption got 1 million american dollars.

Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: mark on April 19, 2017, 10:25:22 PM
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To better understand the present business, a 8) flashback is sometimes due:

http://www.newsarama.com/32561-100-little-known-facts-about-comic-books-part-1.html#s1

http://www.newsarama.com/32571-100-little-known-facts-about-comic-books-part-2.html

http://www.newsarama.com/32587-100-little-known-facts-about-comic-books-part-3.html

Some great tidbits in there. I like the bit of trivia about the work "FLICK" and the one about Ralph Macchio.


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a color cover with black and white interior comic with 32 pages at 20,000 copies costs about 28 cents a book.

you nor the publisher, decide the price of a comic, diamond distributors does.

diamond also approves if the comic is to be accepted, not just the publisher.

for each the first 4 harry potter movies, the ip holder got about 433,000.00 american dollars each.

30 days and 30 nights movie adaption got 1 million american dollars.

It certainly seems like comic book companies have some role in determining the price. For example the stipulation by the creators that Saga is never more than $2.99.

http://comicsalliance.com/saga-comic-brian-k-vaughan-fiona-staples/ (http://comicsalliance.com/saga-comic-brian-k-vaughan-fiona-staples/)

I'm not saying that Diamond isn't influential, but am curious about the claim that publishers have no say. I myself also have a very tiny amount of power, if the price is too high for the material then I won't buy it, or will move to a more cost effective option.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: matthew on April 20, 2017, 09:37:04 AM
i once saw what i recall as their policies, diamond decides the price. saga may get some say, but let's face facts, distribution would be hard if diamond wanted to push back hard.

im sure a good indie book will get zero say.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: mark on April 20, 2017, 10:04:42 AM
This is from Diamond's New Comic Publishers Information Guide.

https://issuu.com/previews/docs/new_comic_publishers_info_guide (https://issuu.com/previews/docs/new_comic_publishers_info_guide)


Proposed terms of sale

Diamond distributes on a buy/sell basis. We purchase your products for one price and sell them to our customers for another. Because we price our products to our customers up front, we need to know at the time of solicitation, what our cost will be. For comics, we generally work on a percentage off of the cover price. Other aspects of trade terms-such as payment terms, minimums and increments, and shipping responsibility-will be negotiated when your comic is accepted and before it is solicited.

DISCOUNT

Diamond generally receives a discount in the range of 60%-70% off of the US retail (cover) price. (We pay $.89-$1.19 for a comic with a $2.99 cover price.) Please indicate your proposed discount with your terms of sale.
...


Later on, in the example form they give, you have to fill out the cover price and the proposed discount. They don't mention a negotiation process, but I imagine there is one if they do not like the terms. So if I propose a comic based on my excitement-filled life as a data scientist and give a cover price of $10.99, they would reject that on the grounds that it is too expensive for the market and they would not sell enough. Or if I propose a more standard price like $3.99 but also a low discount to them, they would demand a higher discount since nobody know who the heck I am and the market for mathematical adventures is presumably small.

Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: matthew on April 20, 2017, 10:14:44 AM
things have changed a bit. you still pay shipping costs to get the book there, from the printer. so.....

all mass bulk prices:
28 cents printed
10 cents shipped
38 cents total


89 cents paid by diamond
51 cents total



not counting publisher fees, or marketing, or artist and writer fees.
not bad. if you act as the publisher and write and draw your own book.




looks like marvel and dc are just shooting everything at a wall, watches to see whta sticks, then uses those bits for a movie. comic books are reduced to just public test material, that pays for itself. just barely.
but then the book publishers are just a arm of a larger company now, and will act so, i guess.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: mark on April 20, 2017, 11:09:33 AM
Very interesting numbers, thanks!

On the flip side, I'm curious how long the "brick-and-mortar" shops will stay viable. Where I live, several of the stores closest to me have closed, others have moved to more affordable but less desirable locations. Some of the only comic book stores that really seem to be doing strong actually focus on other things, like collectibles, and just have the comics as sort of a side business. It's a stark contrast to ancient times when I was a kid. Of course I had to walk a mile uphill in the snow to get to a grocery or convenience store, but those stores would have comics. Now the closest store to the town I grew up in is about 35 miles away. 70 miles for my college town.

I suppose more things are moving to online purchases, and I do some online preordering myself, but in the stores there's always the chance to notice something than you hadn't planned on buying and discover new things.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: matthew on April 20, 2017, 07:38:54 PM
i have a plan, a new business model, that will make back-issues king, over a 4 year span. gimmie a few more months. i cant reveal it, or else i cant get in on the ground floor.



p.s. color interior comics cost also twice as much as color cover and black and white insides.....
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on April 27, 2017, 07:40:11 PM
Revisiting the great point made by [member=3]Chris[/member] upthread that "comic artists are in fact artists and are underpaid"

https://imagecomics.com/features/declan-shalvey-exploring-the-virtues-of-artcred-essay

Quote
Working as an artist in comics is a dream job for me, and it’s one I’ve been fortunate enough to find success with. In my 10 years as a comics artist, I’ve had the chance to tackle incredible work-for-hire jobs like Moon Knight and All-Star Batman. More importantly, I’ve been able to launch INJECTION, a comic I co-own at Image with Warren Ellis & Jordie Bellaire. It’s been an incredible stretch of time, and I’m grateful for the opportunities. However, as I look at the landscape of the medium I love so much, I believe there’s a massive problem with the perception of my profession: I call it “Art Cred.”

“Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers.” “Neil Gaiman’s Sandman.” “Garth Ennis’s Preacher.” “Mark Waid’s Daredevil.” Sound familiar? When people talk about comics, they often attribute the work solely to the writer of the project, and artists are rarely credited as co-authors of the work. The comic book medium has a substantial issue with artists getting the credit they deserve.

You may be wondering why that is a bad thing. Consider how many news stories you’ve read about creators being harmed as a result of ownership issues. Think back to the many creators having health issues they can’t afford. It’s awful and heartbreaking, but here’s another question: how many times has it been an artist in this situation? Why is it that so many illustrators tend to be the ones forgotten over time? How is that possible in comics, a visual medium?

Consider this: you spend a year drawing an epic science fiction story. You design the characters, the spaceships, the aliens, and the technology. You spend 10 months barely seeing your friends and rarely getting out of the house in order to keep up with the schedule and to do the best pages you can. Eventually, the book is announced and the headline reads “WRITER’S SCI-FI PROJECT.” Pages of your artwork illustrate the piece, but there’s no mention of who drew them. Now imagine the project is adapted into a film, video game, or TV show and is consistently credited as WRITER’S SCI-FI PROJECT with no mention of you or your work. This is a regular occurrence.

Everywhere I look-from press releases announcing movie deals to reviews on comic sites-this issue rears its ugly head. It started driving me crazy. So like any brilliant hero of our age, I took the issue to the internet! I started cataloging examples whenever they’d arise with the hashtag #ArtCred on Twitter.

There are many explanations for this common phenomenon. Many comics reviewers lack the vocabulary to speak about art in a critical way, and instead bury the art in a single paragraph with rote commentary. The proliferation of double-shipping books at Marvel and DC, books that rotate art teams while keeping the writer consistent, train the reader to see the artist as secondary to the process. Even the generally higher output of a writer compared to an artist leads to higher visibility and better name recognition.

That’s not to say artists are blameless. We have an awful habit of devaluing ourselves. We undervalue our work and shy away from attention, even though we secretly crave it. But in this day and age, if you’re not seen to be doing the work, then you’re not considered to be part of the process.

What can we do about this? To start, I would look to the work colorists have done in the past couple of years. They organized and became vocal. Colorists pushed for cover credits on DC and Marvel books, and were successful in their efforts. Like colorists, we need to talk openly about this and support each other’s efforts. Your favorite comics are built on the hard work of artists, and to not appropriately credit them devalues the work itself. Watchmen would not be the book it is without Dave Gibbons. The same can be said for Wes Craig’s work on DEADLY CLASS, or Fiona Staples’ work on SAGA. Artists are co-authors of the work, and for them to be seen as anything less damages the medium we love so much.

As creators of comics, the only currency we have is the quality of our work and our back catalog. We need to be careful about the projects we take. Strive to work on signature projects, works that are appreciated as the result of singular voices joining in a unique collaboration.

Credit is important. It helps build our bodies of work, aids fans of your first book in checking out your next one, and gives you a solid foundation, regardless of the writer you work with. Getting credit means that if your work is adapted to other mediums, you are part of the process. Artists need to stand in front of the work and make sure we’re seen as co-authors. We need to lead by example.

If artists were considered creators on the same level as writers-no more, no less-then they would be able to build more solid and reliable careers. Artists would have the resources necessary to train the next generation and build properties from the stories and characters they co-created. Relegating artists to being small cogs in the machine of making comics is to deny to ourselves what is truly great about the medium.

One of the most important shifts in comics happened when the Image Comics founders told the big companies that they weren’t working for them anymore and created a fair deal for creators that has had a profound effect in our industry ever since. We should remember the power we have and what can be achieved if we work together.

After all, drawing is creating too.

Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Chris on April 27, 2017, 08:53:08 PM
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Revisiting the great point made by [member=3]Chris[/member] upthread that "comic artists are in fact artists and are underpaid"

https://imagecomics.com/features/declan-shalvey-exploring-the-virtues-of-artcred-essay

Thanks for the shout out.  :)

I'll ad hoc this.  That was my intention in starting the Comic Art Appreciation thread, not just for original artwork, but to showcase comic art as a legitimate art form.

http://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/index.php?topic=3112.0

Comic artists (and their fans) have struggled with the legitimacy of the work for a very long time in that while the subject matter may have previously been geared towards kids, there is true art and skill and beauty in what they create outside of the subject matter (and within) of super heroes for example.

The good artists have to have an understanding of anatomy, lighting, perspective, foreshortening, motion, proportions, visual properties of surfaces (like metal vs cloth vs stone), converting 3D images to a 2D surface, as a silly example fashion, etc, etc, etc.  But the most important quality to me personally is:  The good artists make it compelling in that the image speaks to the viewer in some positive way.  These are the qualities of any graphic artist whether they be a painter or digital artist or comic book artist.

As far as I know, most comic artists don't make more than a $xxx/page freelance rate with no benefits, contracts, unions(?), etc and the standard comic is 32(?) pages.  There are very wealthy comic artists, but they are the rare exception and not the rule.

The feeling that I have always had about this from a pay perspective is (I may be right or wrong) that they are treated like the crew on a movie set who don't get paid very much because most people are just happy to be on the set and are less concerned about the pay than the experience.  If I am wrong about how it works on a movie set or any of my other "facts", I apologize and please treat this as an editorial/opinion.

The big difference with comic artists that I have seen interviewed or spoke with personally is they would like to be recognized for their skill and would like to be compensated in accordance with that skill and I agree with them.  One nice thing is that artists are getting some of the recognition at least as part of the last decade's comic book/con/movie/TV boom.

Sorry for the musings, but this is a topic near and dear to my heart in that I love comics and in particular comic pencils.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled forum.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: matthew on April 27, 2017, 10:27:13 PM
bob layton talks comics business. (i am a vol. 1 iron man fan...)



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj2EoY0O7jo
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: mark on April 30, 2017, 10:06:29 AM
Not sure if this is the best thread for this but some 70s footage from "The World of Comic Books" documentary that they showed at SDCC some years back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsykqt5D8yg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsykqt5D8yg)

Watch it and you're 16 minutes closer to finding out about your hotel.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on May 03, 2017, 11:00:33 PM
Recognition of contributions made, always relevant to the business of comics:

[ Deja vu: http://www.friendsofcc.com/forum/index.php?topic=3123.msg68930#msg68930 ]

http://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/movies/julie-hinds/2017/04/29/hulu-batman-bill-documentary/101025342/

Quote
The history of comic book superheroes is littered with stories of creative geniuses who never got the proper credit or compensation for their work."Batman & Bill" tells one of them.

The documentary, available starting Thursday on Hulu, chronicles the quest of a writer, Marc Tyler Nobleman, to find out exactly who Bill Finger was and why his contributions to Gotham's Dark Knight were largely ignored through the decades. The film delves intensively into the nuts and bolts of a drama that's as old as human ambition and as relevant today as Batman is.

The short version is that Bob Kane had a long, lucrative career as the famed creator of the DC icon, while Bill Finger was an unacknowledged ghost writer who rarely appeared in public and never got recognition for developing Batman's major elements, from key characters to his origin story and beyond.

The longer version covered in "Batman & Bill" involves how Nobleman unearthed a trail of facts in what became a dogged effort to rewrite the legacy of Finger, who died alone and in poverty in a New York City apartment with eviction notices on its door. The film is basically a detective story about a detective story and, in some ways, it's also a memoir for Nobleman. He's shown asking his daughter about his work: "What's my job?" he quizzes her. "Bill Finger," she says. "What do I do?" he continues. "Bill Finger," she repeats.

The comics cognoscenti, who are aware of Finger's saga, should still find much to appreciate in the documentary, which includes interviews with Kevin Smith, Todd McFarlane and people who knew Finger personally. Viewers going in cold deserve to not have the outcome spoiled here. Suffice it to say that truth and justice usually win out in superhero tales, even if a long, hard struggle must happen to get there.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4466196/How-creator-Batman-not-credited-died.html

https://youtu.be/YcBDjjY2swE

Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on May 08, 2017, 06:27:21 PM
To "develop another 'Marvel' in the Asian market;" will Camsing International Holding realistically achieve that via this acquisition?

http://www.newsarama.com/34401-stan-lee-s-pow-entertainment-acquired-with-intent-to-create-another-marvel-in-the-asian-market.html

Quote
Stan Lee's POW! Entertainment has been acquired by the Hong Kong-based Camsing International Holding, report Deadline. Camsing Chairman/CEO Vivian Lo said the intent behind the acquisition is to "enhance Camsing's comic intellection property creation capability by working with Lee," and also to "develop another 'Marvel' in the Asian market."

“Adding Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment to the Camsing Family and having the distinct pleasure of working with the icon himself, marks an extraordinary opportunity for Camsing,” said Shane Duffy, Camsing's United States Vice President. “It will be a true pleasure to bridge our full portfolio of marketing platforms, distribution channels and theme parks around Stan’s endless list of unreleased IP laden entertainment properties. We are excited that he has allowed us to participate in his next chapter and look forward to strengthening his already guru metal legacy.”

POW! Entertainment was founded in 2001 by Lee, along with Gill Champion and Arthur Lieberman, as a whole for Lee's new creations in comic books, television, film, and other media. With Camsing's acquistion, Lee will relinquish the role of POW!'s Chairman but remain as the company's Chief Creative Officer. Duffy will become POW's CEO, with Champion continuing as President.

“I believe the merger will bring significant synergy by combing POW!’s existing intellectual property library and Camsing’s strong IP merchandising network in China, therefore creating value for our shareholders," said Lo. "At the same time, this deal will enhance Camsing’s comic intellectual property creation capability by working with Lee, who is a global proven name. The group will continue to produce better products and content for its global customers and develop another ‘Marvel’ in the Asian market.”

Lee would reportedly continue to develop and produce unspecificied POW! projects.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: matthew on May 10, 2017, 07:25:06 PM
archie comics, which makes almost all it's money from collected comics into digests, which then sell in places other than comic book stores.... will be selling marvel digests.



i know.





and bill finger's estate will never get any money. credit in the comics and movies, but never money. bob kane made sure dc signed papers "admitting" him the sole creator of batman, no matter what, or else he would pull batman out of dc. its a done deal.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on May 18, 2017, 11:26:05 AM
https://twitter.com/Newsarama/status/865270260773134336

Want to Edit the BATMAN Titles? DC is Hiring http://www.newsarama.com/34547-want-to-edit-the-batman-titles-dc-is-hiring.html …

Quote
DC has a job posting for a Group Editor to oversee its Batman titles. This is a position formerly held by Mark Doyle from February 2014 until his recent promotion to Executive Editor. The question of who would succeed him is one both creators and staffers working on Bat-titles have been wondering about... and with good reason; according to DC's job posting, those titles account for "approximately 1/3 of the profitability of our publishing line."

"DC Comics seeks a Group Editor for the Editorial- DC Comics department. Position will manage and oversee an editorial group dedicated to the Batman Family, as well as specified DC Universe, which present approximately 1/3 of the profitability of our publishing line," reads the job posting. "Create new storylines that expand the character mythos and build on the existing foundation of the DC Universe."

Here is a listing of the responsibilities and requirements of the position:

Job Responsibilities:

Manage the editorial product based on existing IP and leverage their wide, commercial appeal to expand readership.
Identify and develop new, world building editorial product designed to expand on the franchise or group of titles when and if possible with the key creative stakeholders of the licensed IP.
Manage the creative process for editorial products from conception through publication. Ensure that schedules and quality standards are met.
Seek to innovate and utilize new technologies to best reach existing fans of licensed IP and brand build with IP partners.
Seek ways to freshen ongoing series with new talent and story lines.
Oversee approval process to streamline and optimize communication and collaboration between editorial and IP stakeholders.
Supervise and develop team members.
Other duties/projects as assigned.
Job Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
7-10 years directly related editorial experience.
2+ years experience managing a creative team.
Ability to manage a creative team.
Knowledge of comic book industry strongly preferred.
Knowledge of art (ability to discuss composition, design, etc…) required.
Copyediting and proofreading skills preferred.
Ability to meet deadlines required.
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing required.
Ability for some light travel strongly preferred.
Must have the ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with managers and other levels of personnel.
Must have the ability to pay close attention to details.
Must have the ability to organize.
Must have the ability to work well under time constraints.
Must have the ability to handle multiple tasks.
Must have the ability to meet deadlines, manage multiple project elements simultaneously.
MAC/PC proficiency required.
Domestic travel up to 10%.
 
Do you have what it takes, and are you willing to relocate to Burbank, California for this full-time position? Apply over at the Time Warner careers page and thank us later.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: RTFirefly on May 19, 2017, 06:44:00 AM
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archie comics, which makes almost all it's money from collected comics into digests, which then sell in places other than comic book stores.... will be selling marvel digests.



i know.





and bill finger's estate will never get any money. credit in the comics and movies, but never money. bob kane made sure dc signed papers "admitting" him the sole creator of batman, no matter what, or else he would pull batman out of dc. its a done deal.

Bob Kane relinquished all rights to Batman when he signed that contract. He did not own the character and therefore could not pull the character from DC as far as I am aware. I am pretty sure the Finger estate gets something from the created with credit. 
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: matthew on May 19, 2017, 10:26:45 AM
superman creators were to get nothing when the first movie was being made. yet credited in the film. the movie producers had to be shamed into giving some money, which was then used in court to demand money. so no one will ever make that mistake again. also proves that one can give credit and not pay. they can request not to be credited however.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on May 21, 2017, 05:26:36 PM
Paging Marvel and going further on artists getting credit for their work (which fuels the business of comics):

https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/05/21/romeo-romeo-wherefore-art-thou-royalty-cheque-marvel-comics/

Quote
Romeo Tanghal, a comic creator in his mid-seventies, is best known for his inking work The New Teen Titans for DC Comics, but worked on hundreds of titles over the years at DC. He also worked at Marvel Comics as well, on Captain America, Fantastic Four, the New Universe, and more. There is a big difference though. He writes on Marty Pasko’s Facebook page, as part of a thread in which Pasko praised Jenette Kahn and Paul Levitz for introducing royalty rates and media payment schemes for creators, such that Marvel had to follow suit. Or rather, they did for some.

Romeo Tanghal Sr. If Marvel followed suit. i never received 'Royalty' from them. I sent them letter to inform my recent address, Email address and nothing in return. Ive been receiving 'Royalty' from DC for maybe 10 years or more but never with Marvel. Hey! Marvel! I worked for you!

He did. On these titles at least. Reprinted and available digitally without generating any… “incentive payment”.

    Barbie #44 (1994)
    Captain America #377, 424 (1990-1994)
    D.P. 7 #1-7 (1986-1987)
    Dazzler #42 (1986)
    Fantastic Four #303, 317, 321, 323-335 (1987-1989)
    G.I. Joe a Real American Hero #105 (1990)
    Impossible Man Summer Vacation Spectacular #1 (1990)
    Marvel Graphic Novel: Willow movie adaptation (1988)
    Marvel Spring Special #1 (Elvira, Mistress of the Dark movie adaptation) (1988)
    Marvel Super Special #40 (Labyrinth movie adaptation) (1986)
    Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. vol. 2 #15-17 (1990)
    Psi-Force #7, 10, 17-18 (1987-1988)
    Saga of the Original Human Torch #4 (1990)
    Savage Sword of Conan #182 (1991)
    Thor #399, 422, Annual #19 (1989-1994)
    Thor Corps #3-4 (1993)
    Visionaries #1-4, 6 (1987-1988)
    West Coast Avengers #23 (1987)

Maybe someone at Marvel could get in touch? And let him know the lay of the land?
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: matthew on May 23, 2017, 10:21:44 PM
it sucks, but alot of old contracts said pay for work. they signed it all over. i can tell he probably did that contract, as he did  g.i.joe. hell the guy who almost invented the whole franchise in gijoe a  american hero issue #21 (a silent issue, and made gijoe cool.) only got pay. plus toys of his characters he invented. he was credited and contracted for consultation during the gijoe films.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on June 15, 2017, 03:09:07 PM
Boom! ;)

https://www.newsarama.com/34948-20th-century-fox-buys-into-boom-studios.html

Quote
20th Century Fox Film has acquired a "significant minority stake" in BOOM! Studios in a deal that co-founder Ross Ritchie says will "fuel BOOM!’s generation of more original content like Lumberjanes, Mouse Guard, and Grass Kings."

"Fox has been an incredibly supportive partner and our creative alliance has been tremendously successful - high-level directors, big screenwriters, and marquee talent have found BOOM! an attractive platform," says Richie, BOOM!'s CEO. "Now BOOM! can greenlight more new series from comic book creators, deepen its distribution relationships, and widen its marketing reach. Great news for our creators, retail partners, and fans. Fox is committed to BOOM!’s creators through this deal and it means BOOM! will have better support and resources to publish world-class content."

In 2013, BOOM! signed a 'first-look' movie deal with Fox for comic book projects it has ownership of, later announcing deals for The Empty Man, Irredeemable, Malignant Man, Imagine Agents, Mouse Guard, and Lumberjanes. In 2014, Fox and BOOM! became closer with the signing of a similiar 'first look' deal for television.

“Our industry’s soul is its storytelling and artistry, and as we continue to foster an environment at Fox that serves as a home for the world’s best storytellers, this investment in BOOM! allows us to work even more closely with their incredible stable of writers and artists,” says 20th Century Fox Film CEO/Chairman Stacey Snider. “We look forward to the projects we have with them ahead, and are proud to have an opportunity to further energize their storytelling through this partnership.”

Fox had an ownership stake in another comic book publisher before - in 2006 it partnered with Harper-Collins for Fox Atomic Comics, an imprint which published adaptations and spin-off comic books based on various Fox films. That publisher closed in 2009.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Vantlin on July 11, 2017, 12:35:16 AM
Anyone here know where I could buy and sell comics for a profitable income. This is an interesting business but I'm not that confidence over its profitability.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Pyramid on July 11, 2017, 12:15:30 PM
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Boom! ;)

https://www.newsarama.com/34948-20th-century-fox-buys-into-boom-studios.html

AzT - Do you think Fox's stake will change BOOM!'s business practices regarding pencilers, inkers, colorists, writers, etc.?
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Pyramid on July 11, 2017, 01:01:48 PM
Has anyone heard anything about Devil's Due Publishing in regards to their business practices?  DDP isn't listed on the Fair Rates Page.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: matthew on August 01, 2017, 02:59:39 PM
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Anyone here know where I could buy and sell comics for a profitable income. This is an interesting business but I'm not that confidence over its profitability.


if you want to test the waters and can draw, there is a way to do so with little time or money investment.

http://www.webtoons.com/en/


if you post a comic there and it gets popular, they may pay you to do so. often people who post v ery simple doodles with a halfway decent storyline do well. but they post about 21 pages of comicbook content a week.
often even decent storylines go bad for a month or two on even the best titles. like this one:

http://www.webtoons.com/en/fantasy/noblesse/list?title_no=87



the top line pay is confirmed to be $9700.00 a week in american money. this was leaked information about this title: http://blackhaze.wikia.com/wiki/Black_Haze

black haze ran into some sort of event that got this infomation leaked, and/or booted from webtoon.



often to keep pace, a artist gets a writer involved and they split the money. the artists seem to be very productive and have 50 episodes ready to go. after 4-20 a comic gets popular, and after issue 25 or so a writer begins new content to be drawn before old content runs out. oddly i give the various series a 50/50 chance of being better in writing despite a professional writer taking over the writing.




remember to not make a huge, invested, colored, backrounds filled out, affair. any art may wind up just being free, and even if eventualyy chosen to be paid, one must keep up a one comic  a week pace. although the panels are designed to fit on a phone (mostly) the panels add up to a 16-21 page comic.




also reports of merchandise making the most popular webtoons add $100,000.00 plus to their net each month is also not uncommon.

i did see a banner at nycc, but it was so far up you had to crane your neck all the way up. webtoons seems to be owned by fidelity investments. a american stock trading company and working out of south korea.

hope this information helps.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on August 29, 2017, 06:17:24 PM
https://www.newsarama.com/36184-new-charity-helping-comic-retailers-with-issues-aims-to-shepherd-retailers-through-hard-times.html

Quote
Helping Comics Retailers With Issues is a new charity that helps comic book retailers remain in business through hard times. The charity's founding as Issues Inc. was announced by the board of directors, a coalition of comic book retailers comprised of Executive Director Dennis Barger, Jr., Treasurer Jen King, and Secretary Christina Blanch.

"HCR Issues was formed due to seeing what is happening in this volatile industry and natural disasters like the one facing the gulf coast of Texas right now," read a statement from the charity. "The founding members have witnessed multiple stores, large and small, go out of business over the last year. Comic Shops are vital to growth of this industry and are important in the communities where they exist. As Dennis Barger, Jr. points out, 'the elimination of 1000 comic shops in the industry is also the elimination of about 3000 employees and this industry's biggest fans.'"

HCR Issues will accept both monetary donations and auction items to raise proceeds to benefit retailers in need. Retailers can request aid with a special form available through Diamond Comic Distributors.

Donations can be made by contacting this address:

Helping Comic Retailers with Issues
27326 Robinson Road #117
Conroe, TX 77385
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Chris on September 09, 2017, 06:43:20 PM
https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/09/08/less-spent-comics-2016-market-sales/

Articles like this make me nervous for the future of comics. 

I think that retailers need to jump off the variant bandwagon soon if they want to avoid a repeat of the 90's.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on October 17, 2017, 11:25:32 PM
San Diego's Comics-N-Stuff featured in the 3x3:

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/38687/business-3x3-ed-sandburg-comics-n-stuff
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Mel on October 18, 2017, 10:50:39 AM
Comics-N-Stuff is so outrageously priced. This dude is like the guy at Mile High. He doesn't care if he sells it and is somehow proud of having a lot of product instead of selling a lot of product. Their stores are basically their collections.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Chris on October 18, 2017, 12:37:09 PM
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San Diego's Comics-N-Stuff featured in the 3x3:

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/38687/business-3x3-ed-sandburg-comics-n-stuff

Yup, he also has a couple of booths at SDCC.   One is close to the entrance of hall B2 or something.  The last couple of years it has been trades instead of comics.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Pyramid on October 21, 2017, 01:53:51 PM
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Yup, he also has a couple of booths at SDCC.   One is close to the entrance of hall B2 or something.  The last couple of years it has been trades instead of comics.

Nice to see that someone is being so successful on the LGS front.  A1 Comics in Sac is easily my favorite store and my saver is there.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on October 28, 2017, 10:27:02 PM
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/38740/heidi-sells-beat

Quote
Syndicated Comics LLC, a newly formed sister company to comics and graphic novel publisher Lion Forge LLC, has acquired Heidi MacDonald’s long running comic news blog The Beat ("The News Blog of Comics Culture"), the companies announced today.  Lion Forge and Syndicated Comics have formed a strategic partnership "to support The Beat and its editor-in-chief, Heidi MacDonald."

Lion Forge Founder/Publisher David Steward II, cited as the new publisher of the Beat, lauded MacDonald’s site and explained his goals for the acquisition.  "My personal mission is to see readers all of ages, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identification reflected in the comics media," he said.  "Heidi MacDonald and The Beat have been THE authoritative voice of our industry, presenting insider knowledge in a format that is welcoming to a broad audience.   ...This partnership furthers my personal desire to see the industry grow and continue to reach new readers."

MacDonald started The Beat as a blog on Rick Veitch and Steve Conley’s Comicon.com in 2004 and subsequently spent time associated with Publishers Weekly, Hiveworks, and running the site on her own.  In a post on her site, MacDonald described the acquisition as "a plan to keep doing what the Beat does, only better"

In a statement released with the announcement, MacDonald expanded on those thoughts.  "The comics medium is more vital, diverse, and groundbreaking than ever, and with the resources we now have, we’ll be able to bring these developments to an ever-wider audience," she said.  "I’m grateful to David Steward and the whole Lion Forge team for their vision in forging this partnership and incredibly excited about what the future holds.” 
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on November 14, 2017, 08:30:50 AM
https://www.newsarama.com/37336-idw-reorganizes-with-new-publisher-e-i-c-more.html

Quote
Today IDW Publishing is pleased to announce the promotion of Greg Goldstein to Publisher effective immediately, as well as other staff changes.
 
“As company President, Greg has proven to be an invaluable asset to IDW and continues to put his heart and savvy into a company that is near and dear to me,” said Ted Adams, CEO of IDW Media Holdings. “His passion coupled with his intimate knowledge of the business will serve him well as head of publishing.”
 
Adams, who co-founded IDW Publishing, will continue as CEO of the parent company of IDW Media Holdings, which in addition to IDW Publishing, also includes IDW Entertainment and CTM Media Group as its subsidiaries. In addition to his continued management of IDW Media Holdings, he will be pursuing new business opportunities across the three divisions.

IDW will also see other shifts take place within its editorial staff. Chief Creative Officer Chris Ryall will once again assume the role Editor-in-Chief, too, working directly with the editorial department in continuing to advance the strategic and tactical abilities of the group. Additionally, David Hedgecock will take on the newly created role of Associate Publisher, further developing the company’s strategic goals by synergizing processes throughout the entire publishing division.
 
“I could not be more honored that Ted has put his trust in me to continue guiding the direction of IDW’s future in this expanded role,” said Goldstein. “Equally, I have tremendous faith in Chris, David, and the rest of the IDW team to help lead us to even greater success.”
 
In addition to adding Publisher to his title, Goldstein, who joined IDW in 2008 as Chief Operating Officer, will also retain the title of President.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on January 08, 2018, 10:28:19 PM
:'(

http://www.villainouslair.com/events/adios-farewell-alvederzane-goodbye/

Quote
A Message from the Evil Overlord of the Villainous Lair:

This is a post I’ve been hoping beyond hope never to make.

The Villainous Lair will cease typical operations at the end of this month.

Despite our best efforts, sales have been down all of 2017. We’ve trimmed expenses and boosted promotions to try and keep pace, and summer gave us hope, but this last season was brutal. We didn’t cover costs in either November or December. I don’t know if it’s the new world of Amazon, or consumer confidence/lack of discretionary funds, or something we could have fixed with more time, money, or energy, but I do know that I, now, mathematically, can’t keep it going.

I’ve searched high and low for alternatives, for buyers and for investors. While there was some serious interest, ultimately, none have chosen to take the plunge.

(This has always been a labor of love, rather than profit)

(That said, if anyone IS interested in a turnkey comic and game store for less than the cost of inventory, please don’t hesitate to contact us, the sooner the better)

Starting today, all not-otherwise-discounted, not-consignment product is 15% percent off.

All single issues older than four weeks are $1.

Trade paperbacks are, in addition to other discounts, buy-4-get-the-5th-free.

Store credit and gift certificates may be used from now through Jan 31 for all purchases of any nature, including tournament buy-ins and card singles. I want to close with a zero balance for all customers.

New comics every Wednesday through the 31st. We’ll have limited hours in February, as we’re looking to be mostly down to fixtures by then, so please handle your pulls as soon as possible. If you are deployed or otherwise away this month, please contact us for arrangements.

Tournaments will proceed as scheduled through Jan 28, including the Rivals of Ixalan prerelease and our last FNM on Jan 26.

I’m taking solace in the fact that, for the last six and a half years, I’ve owned a community space that has brought some measure of happiness to some of the awesomest people I’ve ever met. You guys have been the best minions and customers an Evil Overlord could ever have asked for. The creative energy, the nerdy camaraderie, the long nights of geeky discussions, the dreams and the quests and the stories, oh, all of it, the stuff makes us human, it all comes back to the storytelling…

Thank you.

Thank you all.

It’s been an honor.

-Alison Flynn

With the Store Closing it will also affect current Store Policies effective immediately.  The Short list is as follows

    No Refunds all sales are final
    We are no longer buying cards
    We are no longer taking special orders or Layaways
    We are no longer accepting new subscription customers

For a full list please see the Store Policies Page of our Website
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Chris on January 09, 2018, 08:53:49 AM
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:'(

http://www.villainouslair.com/events/adios-farewell-alvederzane-goodbye/

On Comic Ground on University is closing as well.  Does not bode well that 2 comic stores are closing due to poor sales during a nerdy boom.  I'm getting flashbacks of the 90's on this one.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: mark on January 09, 2018, 12:03:59 PM
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On Comic Ground on University is closing as well.  Does not bode well that 2 comic stores are closing due to poor sales during a nerdy boom.  I'm getting flashbacks of the 90's on this one.

That's a shame. Up here in the SF bay area, the only shops I frequent that seem to be doing really well are ones where the primary focus is gaming but where they sell comics as well.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on January 14, 2018, 11:12:28 AM
https://www.previewsworld.com/Article/205984-Exclusive-Top-100-Best-Selling-Comics-of-2017

Quote
Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic's Marvel Legacy #1, the oversized one-shot that set the Marvel Universe's new direction in the aftermath of Secret Empire, was the best-selling comic book of 2017.

In total, Marvel Comics had five books in the top ten. In addition to Marvel Legacy #1, Chip Zdarsky, Adam Kubert, and Goran Parlov's Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #1 ranked #3; Nick Spencer, Daniel Acuñe, and Rod Ries' Secret Empire #0, the beginning of Marvel's summer event, ranked #4; Spencer, Steve McNiven, and Jay Leisten's Secret Empire #1 ranked #5; and Matthew Rosenberg and Leinil Francis Yu's Phoenix Resurrection: The Return of Jean Grey #1 ranked #10.

DC Entertainment had had five titles among the year's top ten - Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Dark Nights: Metal #1, the first chapter of DC's crossover event, ranked #2, followed by issue #3 at #6, issue #2 at #7, and issue #9 at #9; and Doomsday Clock #2, the second chapter of Geoff Johns and Gary Frank's series merging the worlds of Watchmen and the DC Universe, ranked #8.

Among the premier publishers, Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead #164 was Image Comics' top book for 2017 at #82. Neil Gaiman's American Gods: Shadows #1, an adaptation of the award-winning novel by P. Craig Russell and Scott Hampton, was Dark Horse Comics' top book at #292. Finally, Star Wars Adventures #1, an all-ages comic set in the Star Wars universe, was IDW Publishing's top book for the year at #381.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on March 27, 2018, 08:15:58 PM
From https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/03/27/diamond-steve-geppi-future-comics/

Quote
Diamond Comic Distributor founder, President, CEO, and sole owner Steve Geppi will give the Keynote Speech during Diamond’s 2018 Retailer Summit, on April 6th at the McCormick Convention Center in Chicago, before C2E2. Geppi’s address will focus on “The Past, Present and Future of the Comics Industry” and take place at the closing breakfast. “I’m looking forward to delivering this year’s Summit keynote address,” Geppi said. “I want people to be excited about our industry, with so many things ahead of us. Even more, I’m looking forward to talking with our customers and vendors about how we can improve the comic book industry and continue moving forward.”

Geppi started with a single comic book shop in Baltimore in the 1970s, moving into the distribution business when he established Diamond in 1982. Since then, Diamond has become the largest distributor of English-language comic books, servicing thousands of retailers worldwide. Of late, declining sales, year on year from 2016 to 2017 — and in the months of 2018 so far — have caused much concern, especially with reducing comic book store numbers. A lot may hang on exactly what Geppi will say — especially the ‘future’ bit.

https://summits.diamondcomics.com/Home/1/1/54/872?articleID=203686

https://youtu.be/3zVPTF5JP4c
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on April 13, 2018, 11:25:29 PM
Ryall lands at Skybound:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/idw-editor-chief-lands-at-robert-kirkmans-skybound-1102198

Quote
Chris Ryall, the former editor-in-chief and chief creative officer of IDW, has joined Skybound Entertainment, the entertainment and media company founded by The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman. The move signals Skybound's aim to strengthen and expand its publishing line. Ryall will work alongside senior vp and editor-in-chief Sean Mackiewicz. His title is still in the works.

"Chris' impeccable track record as an editor reflects the quality of stories that we aim for with all Skybound projects," said Mackiewicz in a statement. "He is an ideal addition to our team as our comic book slate continues to grow." "You'd have a hard time finding someone more well-liked in comics than Chris," stated Kirkman. "His mark on the comics industry is undeniable. I've admired his work from afar for many years and am thrilled for him to be part of the Skybound team."

Ryall surprised the comics publishing industry in March when he stepped down from his post at IDW after having spent 14 years at the company. Under his helm, IDW became the fifth-largest publisher in the North American comic book market, with a number of imprints, including Top Shelf Productions, an independent publisher IDW acquired in 2015. Ryall also worked on the creative side of the business, writing on comics such as Transformers, Shaun of the Dead, Kiss and Rom.

"As a fan of genre material and comic books all around, working with Skybound Entertainment is a natural fit for me," said Ryall. "I'm excited to work with the team in place at Skybound and expand an already phenomenal library of content."

Skybound publishes comics such as Walking Dead, Oblivion Song and Outcast and recently launched the Skybound Books imprint, in partnership with Simon & Schuster's Atria Books. The company is also behind the Walking Dead television franchise and has several movie projects set up at Universal. The company has a first-look television deal with Amazon Studios, maintains a gaming division with Skybound Interactive and is working in the VR space with a trio of series.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Mel on April 17, 2018, 04:14:53 PM
Some big stuff went down at IDW earlier this year and most of what I've heard hasn't been favorable. Basically, most of the people who were most loved in the industry were pushed out. It's been disheartening to me as a San Diegan

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: cabler30 on April 18, 2018, 11:14:02 AM
Yea, where i live. i know or remember there used to be like 3-5 different shops with comics but either moved around or closed all together for one reason or another. i now go to if any at anytime to like 4 different shops, but knowing how things are setup or run that i go to one at certain times if possible or special events i interested in at time. and 2 shops are under same label just one kinda bigger shop then other but smaller one is closer. and last they farther but have a good setup with alot of everything like good supply of back issues where u never know what u might find at time u checking bins. have gone to all over time or certain shops more then others for variety reasons. but now gotta budget more and learn not always gotta go cause how i collect now and hope find any gams next time i go since they buy and sale comics and all. i try to do a mix of new and old but most time old since 12 for 10 is not a bad deal as far as i know unless going to con have got comics for 50 cents even cheaper since no tax at time so like even a better deal of any i like or not have by chance. not sure if 50 cents is tax included but still a lil cheaper then 12 for 10 lol. but still think 12 for 10 is good deal still can any cheaper if able to grab and check and not just buy a bundle for 6 and not know what u get lol.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on November 30, 2018, 04:37:56 AM
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/41949/lion-forge-restructuring

Quote

The other shoe has dropped at Lion Forge, where company president Geoff Gerber departed earlier this fall (see "Geoff Gerber Out as Lion Forge President"), with a restructuring that eliminated 12 positions across departments, a company spokesperson told ICv2.  That amounted to "less than 20% of staff," according to the spokesperson.

The company released a statement:

"We are restructuring from the top down, and across departments to ensure that our organization’s size and structure remains in line with our sales, as well as providing support for future increase in title output.

"Lion Forge has experienced a tremendous amount of growth over the last three years.  While the company remains healthy, we have taken a hard look at how best to focus our efforts for continued success.  As part of this process, we have made some difficult decisions, and none more difficult than in the case of personnel.  We are thankful for the contributions made by everyone within the organization as we have grown from spirited start up to one of the most talked about publishers in graphic literature.  As we move forward, we are working to continue to best position the company for both critical and sales success in a changing market."

Lion Forge had staffed up aggressively over the past few years, adding editorial, sales, and marketing staff from across the industry.  CEO and Co-Founder David Steward II indicated that the company’s early years had been "a very educational experience" in his interview with ICv2 in August (see "ICv2 Interview: Lion Forge CEO David Steward II, Part 2"), with their share of challenges.  "Print publishing’s rough," he said.

But Steward also told ICv2 that as the founder and supporter of Lion Forge, he had patience, and lofty goals.  "We're definitely in for the long haul," he said.  "Some things, you have to go into it understanding that it is a long bet... From a direct market standpoint, we want to be either the third or fourth largest publisher in the next five years.  I would like us, definitely, to be in the top five on the bookstore side of the market, as well.  I'd like us to be a thought leader in terms of bringing new readers into the marketplace."

No word on the names of the people who were laid off, who we wish good luck with their job hunts.

http://www.lionforge.com/we-have-a-selection-of-job-openings-at-lion-forge/
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on January 03, 2019, 11:34:56 AM
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/sarah-gaydos-named-oni-press-name-editor-chief-1172788

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Independent comic book publisher Oni Press is starting 2019 with a big move, naming Sarah Gaydos as its new editor-in-chief, effective immediately.

Gaydos joined Oni in April last year as editorial director of licensed publishing, following a multi-year stint at IDW Publishing, where she was Group Editor of titles including Star Trek and Jem and the Holograms. At Oni, she was responsible for existing titles such as Rick and Morty, as well as acquiring and developing new projects based on existing intellectual property.

Prior to IDW, Gaydos worked at DC Entertainment as an editor in Jim Lee's WildStorm imprint.

“In less than a year, Sarah has had a profound effect on Oni Press,” publisher James Lucas Jones said in a statement. “Her taste is impeccable and broad. Her network of colleagues both love and respect her. Her dedication to comics and the people who create them is virtually unmatched. There is no other person better suited to lead our editorial team and oversee the creation of amazing new comics for all types of readers.”

In her new role at the Portland, Ore.-based publisher, Gaydos will be responsible for the overall editorial development of the company, in addition to developing future licensing partnerships and new creator-owned material.

“I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity to lead the stellar Oni Press editorial department into 2019 and beyond,” Gaydos added. “Since starting at Oni last year, I’ve been consistently impressed with the company’s deep love of the comic medium, and its dedication to reaching new fans. I can’t wait to lead the department to even greater heights!”

https://www.facebook.com/onipress/posts/10157560660123268
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on January 08, 2019, 12:04:46 PM
https://twitter.com/InternetPicnic/status/1082638379773317120

Quote
NEW EP! Editor-extraordinaires @chris_ryall & @sarahgaydos join us LIVE from @NC_Comicon to give advice on how to pitch original comic books! A must-listen for anyone #makingcomics. Available now!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/internet-picnic/id1373261999
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: alyssa on January 20, 2019, 04:37:15 PM
(https://scontent.fsan1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/50094221_10158255716584517_8315683539827818496_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent.fsan1-2.fna&oh=a864a6fdaf4bbc0cce91316893dcbfea&oe=5CFDCEEF)

Graphic novelist Nate Powell posted this sobering breakdown about the finances of being published. As I just commented to a friend, these aren't entry-level numbers; these are "Nate Powell who is in the top 5% of successful working graphic novelists" numbers. Beginners wouldn't have it even this good.

A quick primer: an "advance" is money a publisher pays an author up-front, meant to cover some expenses while the book is being written. It is an "advance against royalties," which means you don't start receiving royalties (a percentage of sales) until your advance has been earned back--e.g., in Nate's $30,000 example, the author wouldn't get paid again until the royalties they were due hit $30,001. Some books never earn back their advances, so that's all the money their authors ever receive.

In my understanding, a $30K advance is very generous in the graphic novel world. Much more common is no advance at all.

Without getting too specific, Nate's analysis looks right to me. My numbers would be different, and I don't have an agent, but the bottom line is that creating a graphic novel is a long, difficult thing to do, and on a dollar-per-hour basis 97% of graphic novelists earn waaaay less than minimum wage.

I don't think you do it for the money (unless you're naive or stupid). You do it because you have a story to tell that nobody else in the world can. You do it because it's fun and fulfilling. You do it because you have to. You hope your story connects with enough readers that maybe you earn a few bucks and get a chance to tell more stories. Hoping that your story will find enough readers to make you rich (or even middle-classish) is just a lottery player's fantasy. It also happens from time to time.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158255716579517&set=a.10150091172474517&type=3&theater
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Pyramid on January 20, 2019, 05:06:22 PM
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(https://scontent.fsan1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/50094221_10158255716584517_8315683539827818496_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent.fsan1-2.fna&oh=a864a6fdaf4bbc0cce91316893dcbfea&oe=5CFDCEEF)

Graphic novelist Nate Powell posted this sobering breakdown about the finances of being published. As I just commented to a friend, these aren't entry-level numbers; these are "Nate Powell who is in the top 5% of successful working graphic novelists" numbers. Beginners wouldn't have it even this good.

A quick primer: an "advance" is money a publisher pays an author up-front, meant to cover some expenses while the book is being written. It is an "advance against royalties," which means you don't start receiving royalties (a percentage of sales) until your advance has been earned back--e.g., in Nate's $30,000 example, the author wouldn't get paid again until the royalties they were due hit $30,001. Some books never earn back their advances, so that's all the money their authors ever receive.

In my understanding, a $30K advance is very generous in the graphic novel world. Much more common is no advance at all.

Without getting too specific, Nate's analysis looks right to me. My numbers would be different, and I don't have an agent, but the bottom line is that creating a graphic novel is a long, difficult thing to do, and on a dollar-per-hour basis 97% of graphic novelists earn waaaay less than minimum wage.

I don't think you do it for the money (unless you're naive or stupid). You do it because you have a story to tell that nobody else in the world can. You do it because it's fun and fulfilling. You do it because you have to. You hope your story connects with enough readers that maybe you earn a few bucks and get a chance to tell more stories. Hoping that your story will find enough readers to make you rich (or even middle-classish) is just a lottery player's fantasy. It also happens from time to time.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158255716579517&set=a.10150091172474517&type=3&theater
Ty for posting this Alyssa.  This is very informative and I have often wondered what the breakdown is for a graphic novelist.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Michaelnaut on January 21, 2019, 05:40:08 AM
I'm going to ask a totally n00b question here.  With the advent (well, it has been around longer) of self publishing services, would that contribute to a more tolerable way of publishing?
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: alyssa on January 22, 2019, 09:39:16 AM
rich johnston at bleeding cool is doing an interesting series on artist payments from comic companies

Quote
I’ve been talking to a number of comic creators in recent weeks over issues that some have with payment from comic book publishers. Not so much the big guys but the smaller folk.....

it's an interetesting read and worth keeping an eye on
https://www.bleedingcool.com/2019/01/22/vault-comics-issues-statement-over-creator-payment-issues/?utm_content=buffer0af76&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

i've also stickied this topic

Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Chris on January 22, 2019, 06:55:47 PM
I've always felt that comic creators are underpaid.  There are the rare exceptions, but most of the make a standard $/page on a freelance basis.  So even if they invent a very popular charcter for example, they might get modest bonuses.

Writing and/or being an artist is very difficult and their compensation doesn't reflect their value.

My opinion.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on January 22, 2019, 09:47:54 PM
Jimmy Palmiotti started a #newcreatoradvice conversation that is worth reading:

https://twitter.com/jpalmiotti/status/1087734998306832386

Quote
So maybe we can give back a little. This hashtag #newcreatoradvice would be a good thing to use if you are an established creator and have advice for the new people coming into the field. Even the most basic advice would be appreciated. Any Pros interested?


https://twitter.com/jpalmiotti/status/1087739825711693824

Quote
Other creators that have advice, use the hashtag so people can find it easily. #newcreatoradvice

Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on January 24, 2019, 10:56:46 AM
From https://www.newsarama.com/43601-dc-makes-organizational-changes-to-get-back-to-its-roots.html

Quote
Representatives for DC declined to comment for this story Wednesday evening, however they did provide Newsarama with the memo that DC employees received from Pam Lifford, President, Warner Bros. Global Brands and Experiences.

The full text follows:

"Today has been a challenging day. We have made organizational changes across DC that we believe will help to strengthen and evolve the division for future success. With these changes come difficult decisions which we take very seriously.

"We recognize and appreciate that all of our employees have made considerable contributions to our business and that it is difficult to lose colleagues, many of whom have been here for a long time and have made an important impact on DC. We thank them for their hard work and dedication to DC. As always, we are committed to taking care of our employees and will be as thoughtful as possible with those who are impacted by these changes.

"Together with Dan and Jim, and the executive team, we have spent time assessing DC’s business, as well as the comic book publishing landscape. DC is going back to its roots of delivering epic stories with our world-class characters, stories and brands. Being a premier house of storytelling will never go out of style and we intend to ultimately super-serve our existing fans, while providing new compelling content that engages and excites even more fans around the globe. Rest assured, the direct market will remain at the heart of our business - and will continue to be one of our greatest strengths.

"The new streamlined structure is focused on creating, delivering and supporting a robust publishing operation that will allow DC to be nimble, navigate an industry in change, and thrive. As we communicated today, we are forming three distinct work streams - Editorial, Production & Manufacturing, and Publishing Support Services.

"Editorial will continue to be run by Bob Harras, SVP & Editor-In-Chief, who will now also be responsible for new initiatives and global publishing, editorial scheduling, and art direction Production & Manufacturing will continue to be run by Alison Gill, SVP Manufacturing & Operations Publishing Support Services is a new business unit consisting of all departments that support the sales, marketing and promotion of our books, and this will be run by Hank Kanalz who is taking on additional responsibilities as SVP Publishing Strategy & Support Services As a result - DC Collectibles and its team will be part of the Consumer Products Toy team moving forward.

"We recognize there are other groups across DC who are not fully dedicated to supporting the publishing business and, therefore, are not directly addressed in today’s news. As The Global Brands & Experiences structure continues to develop, I look forward to sharing more with you as that evolves.

"Many of you will have questions and in the coming days you will receive more information from Bob, Alison and Hank about their teams. Together with Dan and Jim, I will be hosting Town Hall meetings Thursday on the individual floors to discuss these changes and provide more insight.

"Thank you again for your support, hard work and loyalty to DC. Each of you are incredibly valued and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow afternoon where I will do my best to answer any questions." - Pam 

https://www.newsarama.com/43602-mark-chiarello-laid-off-by-dc-entertainment.html

Quote
DC's longtime Senior VP Art Director Mark Chiarello has been laid from the company as part of organizational changes announced on Wednesday, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Chiarello has been on staff at DC since 1993, joining the company after freelancing as an artist in comics and animation. Chiarello was hired as Color Editor - a then-new position in the comic industry, riding on the digital transition of that aspect of comics production. Chiarello was later elevated to Editorial Art Director, where he oversaw the art for the comics line and edited several limited series including Batman: Black & White, the Batman "Hush" arc, the Before Watchmen titles, New Frontier, Solo, and Wednesday Comics. He wrote the instructional book The DC Comics Guide to Coloring and Lettering Comics with Todd Klein.

While working at DC, Chiarello continued his illustration career, including work on Abrams Publishing's Heroes of the Negro League (with co-author Jack Morelli) and a 2009 Carhartt advertising campaign.

According to sources, Chiarello was amongst a small number of positions eliminated by DC - estimated at less than 3% of their workforce. In addition to Chiarello, SVP Sales Trade Marketing John Cunningham and VP Consumer Marketing Eddie Scannell were also among those whose positions were eliminated.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: perc2100 on January 24, 2019, 12:45:39 PM
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Some big stuff went down at IDW earlier this year and most of what I've heard hasn't been favorable. Basically, most of the people who were most loved in the industry were pushed out. It's been disheartening to me as a San Diegan

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
For whatever reason I'm just noticing this thread.  I too live in San Diego and have a keen interest in IDW.  I've met their co-founder, their Editor in Chief (who would've been announced around the time of this post of yours last spring), as well as some of their other artists and writers (Kevin Eastman and his wife live pretty close to me & go to the same martial arts studio as my family).  Can you elaborate what you meant?  Obviously nearly a year later it could be difficult to find what info you had to make this post, but IDW seems to be doing pretty well.  They did substantially tone down their Comic Art Gallery (i.e. the first floor of their HQ in Liberty Station), but I haven't necessarily seen a drop in their quality as far as the books go.  I think their ending of their Transformers series was a bummer but they're essentially rebooting it this spring (they had some great talent on those books).  What else have you heard going down with them?
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on January 24, 2019, 12:54:17 PM
Most recent IDW press releases about the state of their business:

https://www.newsarama.com/43254-idw-s-chris-ryall-pens-open-letter-to-retailers.html

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181224005119/en/CLARIFICATION-IDW-Media-Holdings-Discloses-Financial-Operational

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181221005579/en/IDW-Media-Holdings-Discloses-Financial-Operational-Developments

Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on May 08, 2019, 10:48:38 AM
From https://previewsworld.com/Article/229341-Lion-Forge-Announces-Merger-With-Oni-Press

Quote
Lion Forge (St. Louis) and Oni Press (Portland) announce a merger which will set the two companies on a path to becoming the premier destination for original graphic storytelling, gaming, entertainment, and more. Polarity, the parent company of Lion Forge, will become the majority owner of the new combined entity, with James Lucas Jones serving as president and publisher and the ONI team leading creative and business operations.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on May 29, 2019, 12:32:04 PM
From http://www.milehighcomics.com/newsletter/052819email.html

Quote
Our Memorial Day weekend was filled with drama, but not in a good way. At approximately 5 AM on Sunday morning we had someone break in through the rear door of Jason St. He then proceeded to walk our front area of the store, where we have five 6' tall cases filled with our most significant back issues. He smashed the doors off three of those cases, and then chose 14 comics to steal, which had a net retail value of $42,000+.

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/43304/mile-high-comics-denver-burglarized
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on June 04, 2019, 12:32:13 PM
Say it isn't so :'(

From https://www.bleedingcool.com/2019/06/04/dc-comics-rumoured-closing-vertigo/

Quote
Bleeding Cool has been informed by a number of sources this morning that DC Comics is planning to shutter its Vertigo imprint. This has come as quite a surprise to some, as I also understand that DC Comics has just greenlit a number of Vertigo projects for publication. Indeed, there are plans for a big launch of new books for San Diego Comic-Con spearheading a new Vertigo… thing. But I have been told that word has come from on high rather rapidly to make the change, some contracts are being revoked, some creator-owned titles released back to their creators and some will be moved within the publisher. And those affected are being informed.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Chris on June 04, 2019, 02:33:27 PM
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Say it isn't so :'(

From https://www.bleedingcool.com/2019/06/04/dc-comics-rumoured-closing-vertigo/

Jeepers.  Scary stuff.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on June 10, 2019, 09:22:04 AM
https://previewsworld.com/Article/123465-Diamond-Announces-Top-Products-for-May-2019

https://youtu.be/q5Q1obEmi8I
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on June 18, 2019, 09:35:33 PM
From: https://icv2.com/articles/columns/view/43436/business-3x3-special-edition-chuck-rozanski-mile-high-comics

Quote
In 2016, Rozanski ended a 44-year run exhibiting at San Diego Comic Con.  Curiously, he’s a special guest of the con for 2019, where he will be showing his support for the International Court System, a drag-focused LGBT organization with a significant charity arm.  Rozanski is a national officer in the organization. "Well, I have incredibly mixed feelings toward [San Diego] Comic-Con.  Toward the end, the treatment we received was so far beyond shabby that it beggars the imagination.  I’m going back there because I was asked to go back there, and now that I’ve been invited to be part of the Out in Comics panel, I feel like I actually have a reason for going and a contribution to make.  But just being paraded around as one the guys who worked for 44 years to help keep this place going… yeah, you know, that really doesn’t do much for me. I went with huge reservations.  But now that I’m attending the Out in Comics panel in drag as Bettie, now that makes a difference."
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on June 21, 2019, 05:09:38 PM
 :'(

http://www.blastoffcomics.com/2019/06/to-our-north-hollywood-family/

Quote
blastoffcomics
“A thing isn’t beautiful because it lasts.” – The Vision, Avengers: Age of Ultron
It is with much regret that we announce that Blastoff will be closing its doors at the end of July. It has been a marvelous and miraculous seven years with you all. We've served an entire city of families, spread the gospel of comics to local schools and libraries, donated tens of thousands of dollars and an unending supply of comic books to dozens of charitable organizations, and we've built reading rooms at hospitals and brought joy to sick children all over the country. We don’t regret a single second of it.
Thank you for your fellowship and your support. It has been a privilege to be among you. #blastoffcomics

https://www.instagram.com/p/By_boQGBOz1/
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: SamTurtledove on July 02, 2019, 05:38:08 PM
Quote

The Walking Dead comics are coming to a surprising ending this week

https://comicbook.com/thewalkingdead/2019/07/01/the-walking-dead-comic-ending-final-issue-193-show/


https://twitter.com/CBR/status/1146104688003178497
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: mark on July 02, 2019, 11:58:36 PM
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https://comicbook.com/thewalkingdead/2019/07/01/the-walking-dead-comic-ending-final-issue-193-show/


https://twitter.com/CBR/status/1146104688003178497

Issue 192 was brutal, even by TWD standards. I (along with probably most everyone else) was expecting it to end at issue 200, they even put out fake covers and solicits that suggested as much. I guess it makes sense for a series that was built around shocks and surprises to end on one.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on July 03, 2019, 11:25:43 PM
From https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mad-magazine-effectively-close-67-years-1222636

Quote
Sources tell THR that after issue 9, MAD will no longer be sold on newsstands and will only be available through comic book shops as well as mailed to subscribers. After issue 10, there will no longer be new content in subsequent issues save for the end-of-year specials (those will be all-new). Beginning with issue 11, the magazine will only feature previously published content — classic and best-of nostalgic fare — from its massive fault of the past 67 years. DC, however, will also continue to publish MAD books and special collections.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Chris on July 04, 2019, 11:16:55 AM
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From https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mad-magazine-effectively-close-67-years-1222636

Uh oh.  DC has cancelled both Vertigo and MAD magazine?  These kind of cancellations make me nervous for comics in general.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: mark on July 04, 2019, 11:28:45 AM
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Uh oh.  DC has cancelled both Vertigo and MAD magazine?  These kind of cancellations make me nervous for comics in general.

I thought Vertigo wasn't actually being cancelled, they were just going to abandon the name and move all of the "adult" titles to DC Black Label. Seems silly to me given the strength of the Vertigo brand and how many important titles were published under it.

MAD going away is devastating.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Chris on July 04, 2019, 11:32:06 AM
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I thought Vertigo wasn't actually being cancelled, they were just going to abandon the name and move all of the "adult" titles to DC Black Label. Seems silly to me given the strength of the Vertigo brand and how many important titles were published under it.

MAD going away is devastating.

Ah.  I may have been mistaken about Vertigo.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on August 08, 2019, 01:43:03 PM
https://twitter.com/DCD_Nexus/status/1158484084575887361 (bold = mine)

Quote
Diamond Adjusts Product Release Compliance Policy for Midnight Releases!

All product carrying an in-store date of that week's event will be available to go on sale at midnight.

More info on the new policy: http://bit.ly/33djMxH
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on September 21, 2019, 09:13:15 PM
https://twitter.com/robutoid/status/1175107428003639296

Quote
We're looking for some help! Spread the word:


https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/1483167873/
Quote
IDW Publishing, a top comic book & graphic novel publisher, is currently looking for an in-house graphic artist to join our Creative Services team in San Diego. The right person will have a background in illustration, typography, and layout with above average skills in Adobe Creative Suite, focusing mainly on Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Previous experience with lettering a plus, but a desire to learn and grow in that field is required.


Essential Functions of the job:

    Design & layout of text for comic books, trade paperbacks, and hardcover books.
    Creative mind to determine size, arrangement, and style of illustrative material and copy.
    Ability to take direction from multiple inputs and work closely with Editors, artist, and other interested parties.
    Good communication and project management skills.
    Design cutting-edge graphics, ads, logos, and other marketing materials as assigned.
    Familiarity re-sizing supplied artwork to meet print specs.
    Remain current in graphic design and printing technologies.
    Prepare design files for print and digital production.

Qualifications:

    2 to 3 years professional graphic design & illustration experience.
    4 year art degree, preferred.
    Strong knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite including, but not limited to: Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and Bridge.
    Strong knowledge of production & pre-press requirements for print.
    Sense of composition in print format including typography and hierarchy.
    Must be able to work in a fast-paced deadline driven environment.
    Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
    Excellent attention to detail.
    Strong communication skills and open to direction and constructive criticism.
    Positive attitude.
    Previous experience in book publishing environment preferred.
    An interest in comic books and graphic novels desired.
    Illustration skills a plus.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on October 04, 2019, 06:33:29 PM
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/44177/idw-announces-hires-sales-marketing-operations

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IDW Publishing announced a series of hires in sales, marketing and operations, including several employees returning to the company.

The top hire announced was Rebekah Calahin, who was hired as General Manager / Head of Operations.  In that role she will manage Information Technologies, Human Resources, and Operations, and work on process improvements.  Calahin returned to the company; she was at IDW from 2009 to 2018, beginning as a temp and leaving as Digital Publishing Director.

Tara McCrillis joined the company as Director of Design & Production; in that role she’ll handle project management between Editorial, Digital Design and Operations departments and assign work related to comic and graphic novel design and production. McCrillis comes to IDW from Fodor’s Travel, where she was Director of Publishing Operations.

Jud Meyers has been hired as Sales Director; in that role he’ll be responsible for developing the company’s sales strategy, initiatives and campaigns.  He comes to IDW after a stint at Humanoids as Director of Sales and Marketing (see "Humanoids as Director of Sales and Marketing"), and  a previous career as an Eisner-winning comic retailer.

Rosalind Morehead has returned to IDW as Direct Market Sales Manager, responsible for the company’s relationships with comic book retailers.  Morehead spent time in an earlier span at IDW as Marketing & PR Manager and Book Market Director of Sales, then went to DC as Consumer Marketing Manager (see "Rosalind Morehead Moves to DC").

IDW has hired Ana Morrow as Marketing Director to manage the company’s overall B2B and B2C marketing strategy, including publicity, digital marketing, advertising, conventions, and events.  Morrow comes to IDW from DC Comics, where she was Marketing Manager for the Book, Library and Academic markets.

IDW also announced a number of other new staff and promotions of existing staff:

Zac Boone has been promoted from Assistant Marketing Editor to Associate Editor.

Chance Austin-Brecher has been promoted from Assistant Warehouse Manager to Assistant Operations Manager.

Elizabeth Brei has been promoted from Assistant Editor to Associate Editor.

Lorelei Bunjes has been promoted from VP, Digital Services to VP, Technology & Information Services.

Deon Carrico III has joined staff as Associate Product Manager, Games.

Hector Castellanos, Jr. has joined staff as Royalty Staff Accountant.

Joshua Cureton has joined staff as Contracts Coordinator.

Jasmine Gonzalez has joined staff as Office Coordinator.

Ryan Jones has been promoted from Associate Product Manager to Product Manager, Games.

David Mariotte has been promoted from Associate Editor to Editor.

Andrea Palasi has been promoted from Social Media Coordinator to Social Media & Digital Marketing Manager.

Alonzo Simon has been promoted from Editor to Senior Editor.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on January 09, 2020, 08:17:36 PM
https://www.accesswire.com/572644/IDW-and-Smithsonian-Enterprises-Announce-Groundbreaking-Graphic-Novel-Publishing-Program

https://www.idwpublishing.com/idw-and-smithsonian-enterprises-announce-groundbreaking-graphic-novel-publishing-program/

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idwpublishing Big news: IDW is launching a new graphic nonfiction publishing program in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution! The first of these amazing books will hit stores this fall.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7EXtu9gtZA/
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on January 24, 2020, 09:24:24 PM
https://www.bleedingcool.com/2020/01/24/lion-forge-drops-the-beat/

From https://www.comicsbeat.com/announcement-the-beat-goes-on/

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THE BEAT RETURNS TO INDEPENDENCE IN 2020

Comics Media Stalwart Emboldened Following Strategic Two Year Partnership Between Polarity CEO David Steward II and Founder Heidi MacDonald

In 2017, Polarity founder David Steward II acquired the original comic book blog turned influential voice in pop culture.The Beat. Following a limited partnership to provide additional resources and infrastructure,The Beat returns to its original independence under founder Heidi MacDonald in the new year.

“I’m incredibly grateful to Dave Steward and the Polarity team for their partnership these last two years” says The Beat founder Heidi MacDonald. “With this participation, The Beat was able to reach new heights and expand to cover the incredible diversity of the comics medium and the culture it inspires. Now I’m incredibly excited to take The Beat back and build on what we accomplished to become even more essential to readers and the industry.”

“Our partnership with Heidi and The Beat was intended to empower the site to reach new heights and grow the audience for inclusive comics coverage” says Polarity’s David Steward II. “Over these past few years, we have worked together to ensure she succeeded in that goal, and the site’s reputation as THE authoritative voice of our industry, presenting insider knowledge in a format that is welcoming to a broad audience. We wish Heidi continued success and prominence in the years to come.”

The Beat continues operations as normal under the vision of Heidi MacDonald, with daily coverage of the comic book and entertainment industry as a whole.

Heidi MacDonald is an award-winning editor and journalist who has been covering the comics industry for more than 20 years. As an editor at Disney and DC Comics, she edited such titles as The Lion King, Scooby Doo, Swamp Thing, and Y: The Last Man. She has spoken about comics and their culture around the world and cohosts Publishers Weekly’s graphic novel podcast More to Come.

Established in 2004, The Beat has been covering the world of comics, graphic novels, comic cons, and pop culture daily to an audience of both fans and industry influencers. It is a two-time nominee for the Will Eisner Award in the Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism category and the winner of the Shelf Dorf Award for Best Comics Blog. In 2017, The Beat was added to the Library of Congress’s historical archives.

About Polarity

Polarity is a diversified global media company founded in 2018, with a mission to bring authentic content to a diverse global audience.  The name Polarity conveys opposing forces and a global perspective to build a captivating range of assets. To create a richer content experience and offering, we believe in the value of embracing diversity and highlighting opposing views and voices.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on February 21, 2020, 08:10:25 PM
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dcs-dan-didio-as-publisher-1280488

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DC's Dan DiDio Out as Co-Publisher

The industry veteran had served in the role since 2010.

Dan DiDio is no longer with DC, THR can confirm.

DiDio had served as publisher of DC alongside Jim Lee since 2010, following a six-year stint as VP executive editor, and, prior to that, VP editorial.

As publisher, DiDio was one of the main figures behind DC’s 2011 line-wide relaunch “The New 52,” which saw the company provide a contemporary make-over to its entire superhero back catalog. Initially a sales success, both sales and buzz faded to the point where 2016’s subsequent line-wide relaunch, under the banner “DC Universe Rebirth,” restored many elements dropped in the reboot.

DiDio’s departure comes ahead of an announced further relaunch of the DC comic book universe that would restore even more elements removed as part of the 2011 reboot, as teased at New York Comic Con last year. While that project has not been officially announced, certain stories that reportedly tie-in have been, including DC’s Free Comic Book Day release Generation Zero: Gods Among Us. It’s unclear if plans for this relaunch will be delayed or cancelled in the wake of this news.

Since stepping into an executive role at the company, DiDio has served as DC’s public face at conventions and public events, and has worked to champion not only the company as a whole but specifically the comic book division — and comic book specialty market — as being integral to DC’s success on an ongoing basis. DiDio was also part of the push to expand DC’s publishing reach into Walmart and Target via exclusive 100-Page Giant issues, an initiative that proved so successful that the issues were expanded to the comic store market.

Throughout his tenure at DC, DiDio has worked as a writer on multiple properties, including The Phantom Stranger, The Outsiders and Sideways. At time of writing, his Metal Men mini-series with artist Shane Davis is midway through a projected 12-issue run.

With DiDio’s departure, Jim Lee becomes sole publisher at DC, in addition to his role as the company’s chief creative officer, a position he’s held since June 2018.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on March 11, 2020, 02:38:50 PM
https://previewsworld.com/Article/241084-Diamond-Cancels-2020-Retailer-Summit

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Diamond Cancels 2020 Retailer Summit

As the impact and spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, Diamond Comic Distributors has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Retailer Summit scheduled to take place April 14-16, originally planned to be held in conjunction with MegaCon in Orlando. We do this out of an abundance of caution and with deep disappointment.  We will continue to assess the viral outbreak to plan a new conference date.

Our top priority is the health and safety of our staff, business partners, conference attendees and colleagues. We appreciate the efforts of the Informa team and the state and local authorities they are working with to provide a safe environment for fans and vendors, and support their goal of another fun, successful convention. MegaCon Orlando is part of an international organization with dedicated health, safety, security and travel experts who are monitoring developments, sharing relevant information and providing guidance on events. At this time, we cannot ask our sponsors and retailers to commit to travel plans while the Coronavirus’ impact is so uncertain.

We recognize the importance of the Retailer Summit.  We thank you for your support and commitment to the Summit. We will continue to monitor this situation and look forward to the opportunity to meet face-to-face with our industry partners in the future. In the coming months, we will provide further updates as we determine our possible attendance at other events. Know that we value your business and take these measures to ensure we can provide our business partners with the services they need.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on March 17, 2020, 07:30:57 AM
https://icv2.com/articles/columns/view/45420/suggestions-comic-publishers-retailers-coronavirus-pandemic

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Paul Levitz entered comics as a writer, rose to become Publisher of DC Comics, and is now exploring new territory as a writer.  In this column he calls on his experience to suggest bold actions by publishers, and offer suggestions for retailers, to help stave off the worst impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

It’s a really bad dystopian moment out, not one any of us would ever want to write.  It will probably get worse before it gets better, but it will get better and the good news is that people of the ages that are our largest readership groups aren’t getting hit hard by the virus.

A few of my old friends in high places suggested that although I no longer have the ability to directly affect the situation, I should use my tribal elder status to make some suggestions… including ones that would cost them some real money.  So…

Understanding that the problems facing most comic shop owners are more complex than I can digest or offer solutions for, here are a few suggestions for band-aids to help us all through.

    Publishers should be making all comics and graphic novels currently in store or on order for say, the next 60-90 days fully returnable.  To avoid games, cap that at the retailer’s prior order of a title or average order of a publisher’s titles.  This will help retailers keep copies available with very uncertain traffic patterns.  The cost of returns is significant, but far less than the burdens being faced at retail, and publishers have a vested interest in keeping stores open.
     
    It’s an excellent time to offer either additional discounts on already ordered product, or extended credit terms.  Cash needs to be pumped into the system quickly.
     
    Retailers have been coming up with interesting solutions too: curbside service and off-hours service to help cocooning folks is something Isotope and Collectors Paradise have started offering.  I’m sure there are others I haven’t heard about.
     
    Think about offering UPS service for people’s pull & hold stacks, either free or at nominal cost (or subsidized by a nice publisher?).
     
    Consider back stock bonuses… people have lots of time to read, so pull out whatever you haven’t been able to sell, and offer a mystery selection with every paid order.
     
    Think about remote events.  Creators might have time on their hands, and maybe you can set up a simple dial-in conversation with someone cool to your customers.  A really sophisticated idea could use software like Zoom to do this visually, but that’s technical stunting above my luddite pay grade.
     
    And here’s a link https://www.facebook.com/comicspro/posts/10158499234387240 to some ideas from ComicsPRO.

I know this is a major danger moment for the always fragile network of comic shops that I love, and that has made my career possible.  These may not be the best or most practical ideas, but I wanted to start the debate and idea-sharing… and suggest to those who sit in seats with resources like I used to be able to control, that this is a vital time to use them for good… and ultimately for all our self-interest.

The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff of ICv2.com.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on March 20, 2020, 12:32:20 AM
http://cbldf.org/2020/03/support-your-local-comic-shop/

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cbldf Comic shops serve as beacons of light in increasingly troubled times, hubs in their communities where people can find the stories that they need. And they need your help! Head to cbldf.org and check out the list of #CBLDF retail members and find a #localcomicshop near you to support!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B97oKQlBQwK/
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on March 21, 2020, 07:42:49 AM
https://www.facebook.com/idwpublishing/photos/a.10150239372238279/10158146977098279
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In Case You Missed It: A message to comic book retailers from our President, Publisher & Chief Creative Officer, Chris Ryall

https://www.newsarama.com/49467-diamond-working-on-comprehensive-relief-package-for-retailers-according-to-idw.html

https://www.diamondcomics.com/Home/1/1/3/597?articleID=241407
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ABLAZE Inks Exclusive Distribution Deal with Diamond
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on March 23, 2020, 03:37:17 PM
https://www.diamondcomics.com/Home/1/1/3/597?articleID=241552

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Steve Geppi Addresses Coronavirus’ Effect on Distribution

CORONAVIRUS EFFECTS ON DISTRIBUTION

As everyone knows, the world faces ever-increasing challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its effects on the comics & collectibles and tabletop gaming industries have been felt far and wide.  We are hearing from thousands of retailers that they can no longer service their customers as they have in the past, many of them forced to close by government action or resort to in-person or curbside delivery. Even those still open are seeing reduced foot traffic in most cases, a situation that seems likely to worsen with time.

Our publishing partners are also faced with numerous issues in their supply chain, working with creators, printers, and increasing uncertainty when it comes to the production and delivery of products for us to distribute. Our freight networks are feeling the strain and are already experiencing delays, while our distribution centers in New York, California, and Pennsylvania were all closed late last week. Our own home office in Maryland instituted a work from home policy, and experts say that we can expect further closures. Therefore, my only logical conclusion is to cease the distribution of new weekly product until there is greater clarity on the progress made toward stemming the spread of this disease.


EFFECTS ON DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS

Product distributed by Diamond and slated for an on-sale date of April 1st or later will not be shipped to retailers until further notice.  For the time being, however, we have been able to develop procedures with our teams at the distribution center in Olive Branch, MS to safely continue fulfillment of direct ship reorders for the retailers who are able to receive new product and need it to service their customers. It’s unlikely that orders will be filled on the same day they are placed, and these plans are subject to change if any point we no longer feel that we can safeguard our teams while fulfilling orders.

Product distributed by Diamond UK and slated for an on-sale date of March 25th or later will not be shipped to retailers until further notice. Further updates with regard to reorders and other Diamond UK-specific information will be communicated directly to their customers as information becomes available.


EFFECTS ON ALLIANCE GAME DISTRIBUTORS

Product distributed by Alliance has been shipping from our Fort Wayne, IN and Austin, TX warehouses. Both are closing at the end of the day on Tuesday, March 24th, in the interest of employee safety and to comply with direction from local governments. Any orders not shipped by that time will not be processed until further notice. Your dedicated sales team will still be working remotely and help you with any orders you’d like to place today or questions you may have.


OUR SHARED PATH FORWARD

With these changes in our distribution strategy, we will work with our publishing partners to develop programs that will address product already in the pipeline and what will happen when we resume distribution. We know that during this time you will face many challenges, and we will direct our energies toward addressing them, rather than fighting on increasingly numerous fronts to get product out.

For those retailers who remain open in various forms, I encourage you let loose your own creativity. For the time being, you will be able to replenish your perennials from Diamond and/or Alliance, but you should also remember the stock you already have in your stores. If your doors remain open, it’s likely you will have customers who will continue to seek diversion from events of the world. Special sales, promotions, and even eBay can help you bring in cash during this trying time. Product for which you’ve already paid may well hold some of your answers. There have been many solid suggestions offered about how to help our retailers, and we will bring many of them together in future communications.

Besides the industry’s most immediate needs, we have been and will continue looking toward the future, when we see stores reopening, bringing staff back onboard, and getting customers in the door. We are looking at issues like debt accrued due to this crisis, what reduced ordering means for your discount tiers, and the availability of credit to help stores through and after this difficult time. We don’t have all those answers today, but we understand the many issues you are facing and look forward to addressing them as partners who all have an interest in the long-term health of the industry we love so much.

As I mentioned in my last update, this industry has been one of the greatest joys of my life, from my days as a collector to a retailer to today. I and my Leadership Team have made these decisions knowing full-well the effect this will have on all of you, as well as our publishing partners and our own team members around the world. At the end of the day, the safety and security of our teams and yours, along with the many customers we all serve, is paramount. I again thank you for your ongoing patience and support.

Thank You,

Steve Geppi
Chairman & CEO, Geppi Family Enterprises

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Ay3SJB5OD/
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on March 24, 2020, 07:15:53 AM
https://previewsworld.com/Article/241540-BOOM-Studios-Announces-Retailer-Support-Services-Program

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BOOM! Studios Announces Retailer Support Services Program

BOOM! Studios today announced the BOOM! Retailer Support Services Program, a comprehensive set of initiatives effective immediately to aid comic book shops worldwide affected by the current health crisis.

The BOOM! Retailer Support Services Program will initially deliver the following benefits to qualifying accounts pending details being finalized with Diamond Comic Distributors:

    Full Returnability Through June: BOOM! Studios will extend the industry’s best returnability program, the BOOM! Guarantee, by making all items that ship between March 18th through June 24th fully returnable via affidavit in order to allow retailers to order with confidence. Any retailer not already enrolled in the BOOM! Guarantee can sign up for free right here.

    #BoostYourLCS Paid Promotion: BOOM! Studios will increase targeted advertising and promotion around comic shops, and specifically spotlight stores offering Safe Services (like curbside and mail order options), using the #BoostYourLCS hashtag to reach over 360,000 fans worldwide. A full list of BOOM! Guarantee and Safe Service retailers (with regular updates) can be found right here.

    Rare Variant Cover Gift Set: BOOM! Studios will offer retailers a direct cash infusion by providing previously released rare and popular variant covers for free to qualifying Diamond accounts in April. These gifts will create an opportunity for retailers to generate additional revenue and promotion at no cost. For retailers who do not normally sell variant covers at an increased price, these can be used to reward loyal pull-box subscribers or used to further incentivize customer engagement as prizes or purchasing rewards.

    Monthly 1-Per Store Variant Covers: BOOM! Studios will provide new, previously unannounced 1-per-store variant every month through December 2020 free to qualifying Diamond accounts. This program will begin with a new 1-per store variant for Faithless II #1 in April, followed by Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #51 in May, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow #1 in June.

    Diamond Summit Variant: BOOM! Studios will deliver our promised free Diamond Summit retailer variant cover for Faithless II #1 to all qualifying stores in April so that retailers don’t miss out on this hotly anticipated issue.

    Exclusive Convention Variant Opportunities: BOOM! Studios will offer select variant covers and other items previously planned for 2020 conventions direct to retailers through Diamond, as long as supplies last. Since fans can’t go to conventions, we’re bringing the conventions to the fans!

This program includes BOOM! Studios’ support and participation in future industry-wide, coordinated joint initiatives with Diamond Comic Distributors and other participating publishers to benefit and support comic book stores.

“We are deeply committed to working together hand-in-hand with our retail partners through this period of disruption. BOOM! Studios is proud to take both immediate and long term steps to support those on the front lines of our industry,” said Filip Sablik, President of Publishing & Marketing, BOOM! Studios. “The BOOM! Retailer Support Services Program we’ve outlined today is just the start of our efforts, which will evolve as we receive more feedback from retailers. We believe publishers should earn their space on our retail partners’ shelves and at no time has that belief been more important than now. We invite retailers to participate and share ideas to enhance our efforts together.”

Diamond Comic Distributors and BOOM! Studios will be sharing more information directly with retailers as soon as it is finalized to clearly outline how to receive benefits from the BOOM! Retailer Support Services Program.

For continuing news on the BOOM! Retailer Support Services Program, stay tuned to www.boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter.

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ross_richie #boostyourLCS #boostyourLocalComicShop

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Amn6ThflY/
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: accelerate on March 24, 2020, 07:28:17 AM
The comic book store I go to has managed to stay open, offering curbside pickup and delivery, but then just today I got an email from them saying that Diamond Comics will stop delivering comics to retailers after this week. They’re currently trying to see if any publishers would be willing to ship new comics directly to them.

I’m definitely gonna try to support them as much as possible, as I’ve worried about them since the start of this crisis. But I fear the overall comic book business landscape may suffer heavy casualties the longer this goes on.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on March 26, 2020, 02:23:23 PM
https://twitter.com/dcbservice

https://www.newsarama.com/49599-discount-comic-book-service-dcbs-coronavirus-covid-19-diamond-marvel-dc.html

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Mail-Order Comics Giant DCBS Weighs In on CORONAVIRUS Financial Effects, DIAMOND's Response, & Expectations from DC

The coronavirus pandemic has affected everyone, and put a squeeze on the entire comics industry, causing North American distributor, Diamond, to suspend delivery of all comics for the month of April (and possibly beyond). Newsarama has spoken to several retailers about the effects, and now we speak with one of the biggest: the mail order giant Discount Comic Book Service (DCBS).

Founded back in 1999 by Christina and Cameron Merkler, DCBS is arguably one of Diamond's largest retail clients. The Fort Wayne-based retailer ships an estimated 35-50,000 units each week, and have 4,400 regular monthly customers - and all of their comics come from Diamond.

The Merklers founded DCBS in their basement back in 1999, drawing on their vast personal collection and their own backgrounds in big box store retail and accounting. Within five years, they grew out of that basement and into their first warehouse. By 2008, they expanded to a larger location and launched their sister site, InStockTrades.com. Over the years, DCBS has acquired other retailers such as Mail Order Comics and Tales of Wonder, and now have warehouses in Fort Wayne, Indiana and Memphis, Tennesssee - the Memphis location situated in a 30-mile radius of two of Diamond's three U.S. warehouses. Between the two locations, they employ 42 people.

With all that's going on, Newsarama spoke with Christine Merkler about what she's seeing, what they're doing, and what they expect to happen in the coming months for themselves, their customers, their employees, and the industry at large.

Newsarama: Christine, when did you first realize that what would become the coronavirus pandemic would affect your business, and the comics industry as a whole so significantly?

Christina Merkler: The moment I heard that California had instituted the shelter-in-place order I knew business was about to change drastically.

Nrama: Have you noticed an immediate change in sales these past two weeks, compared to historical norms?

Merkler: At DCBS we have not. We are still receiving requests for adding books that were missed and March pre-orders are on target for last month and last year at this time.  InStockTrades had normal sale weeks the last 2 weeks.

Nrama: What shipping companies does DCBS use, and how have they been in this pandemic?

Merkler: We use FedEx primarily and USPS for PO Boxes and non-contiguous U.S. states. All involved have been picking up as normal.

Nrama: What steps has DCBS done to protect its employees and its customers?

Merkler: Because we are a small team environment, we always encourage our employees to stay home when they are not feeling well. We gave the team a Friday off a couple of weeks ago, and wiped down every bin, cubbie, work table and floor surface in the warehouse. Since then, we have instructed the employees to wipe down the scanners and work surfaces after each use and follow the CDC guidelines for washing hands, etc.

Nrama: How do you feel about the communication that publishers, distributors, and shipping companies have had with you as a retailer in this crisis?

Merkler: We believe the communication has been relatively slow and the answers are not necessarily what retailers want to hear.

We understand that the publishers are continuing to work on this, as the environment keeps changing, but it is difficult to be patient. It is important for us to remember that some companies have a handful of employees and can make decisions quickly and without much approval. Other companies have several layers of oversight and approval required before stating anything, which slows communication.

Nrama: DC has been one of the standouts at not addressing retailers or the public during this pandemic. Have you spoken to them individually about this?

Merkler: We have been in communication with DC and they have told us they are working on a plan.

Nrama: What is DCBS' plan for next week, April 1, since Diamond says they're not shipping out comic books?

Merkler: Our current plan is to ship all customers scheduled to ship next week with the current items in their open invoices. We will not be receiving 4/1 releases, so those will not be included. We do know that they have been printed and are in Diamond's warehouse, so we will receive those releases as soon as Diamond goes back to total fulfillment.

Nrama: Let me back up a bit. Diamond is the near-exclusive distributor for most comics and some graphic novels, but other distributors are selling some comic books and graphic novels. Does DCBS have other distributors, and how are they doing in all of this?

Merkler: Diamond is the only distributor we use.

Nrama: What are your personal projections for how this ends up three to six months from now?

Merkler: I believe that three to six months from now the comics industry will look nothing like it did two weeks ago.

My hope is that all of us make it out of this, because without a strong direct market there is not a strong comics industry. I am certain that every part of the supply chain will be re-evaluating their business and will put measures in place to make sure they are prepared for any event of this magnitude going forward. Every small business will re-prioritize and evaluate every level of their business, from suppliers and shipping companies, to product mix and number of employees needed.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Chris on March 26, 2020, 03:50:14 PM
Yeah, this has me worried about the comic industry, individual stores, and the economy as a whole.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on March 29, 2020, 01:15:56 PM
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/45517/dc-exploring-multi-distributor-model-comic-stores

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In response to the coronavirus crisis, DC is exploring distributors in addition to Diamond Comic Distributors to get product to comic stores, the company said in an e-mail to retailers from “the DC Team” on Saturday. “Because we anticipate that continued disruption to business operations will create regional volatility, DC is exploring a multi-distributor model to provide us with the flexibility needed during this crisis to get new content to our readers on an ongoing basis,” the letter said.

It appears that DC is also trying to find ways for Diamond to re-activate its distribution network, which has been shut down for the past week (see “Diamond Halting Distribution of New Product”). “In the short-term, we continue to engage in active conversations with Diamond to help us solve the distribution issues that have arisen and hope to get new product to stores that want or need it as soon as possible,” the retailer communication said. “We will provide additional information about how we’ll make that happen in the coming days.”

DC also said that comics shipped between March 18 and June 24 will be fully returnable.

DC had been quiet since the U.S. shutdown began, as competitors beginning with Image and Dynamite (see “Image, Dynamite Taking Returns”), and then followed by Marvel (see “Marvel Cuts Wholesale Prices”) and mid-level publishers such as BOOM!, IDW (see “BOOM!, IDW Announce Retailer Support Measures”) and Dark Horse (see “Dark Horse Announces Covid-19 Publishing Plans”) announced various retailer support measures.  The slow response led some to question “where is DC Comics during this pandemic (see “Peter DeFelice of Pyramid Comics and Cards on Covid-19 and Retailing”).

Diamond has had distribution rights for periodical comics to the comic store channel since the mid-90s, when then-DC Publisher Paul Levitz struck a deal with Diamond (which included an option to purchase) in response to Marvel’s purchase of Heroes World.  Marvel had acquired Heroes World, a regional distributor based in New Jersey, to handle its comic distribution to the Direct Market. The moves by Marvel and DC began a paradigm shift that created a distribution landscape in the comics business that has been stable for a quarter century.  That stability, it appears, may soon end as a global pandemic leads companies to re-visit their core assumptions about how business is done.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: SamTurtledove on April 01, 2020, 10:31:58 AM


Resources For Comics Industry Businesses Impacted By Coronavirus

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The Coronavirus crisis impacts all of us. To help support the comics business community that makes our mission possible, we’ve assembled this clearinghouse resource for financial aid, training tools, and other information. We’re continuing to monitor the situation surrounding the outbreak and will provide updates and resources for retailers here on an ongoing basis. If you see something we haven’t listed yet, please let us know by emailing [email protected].

For updates on other Comics Businesses around the United States and the world, check out CBLDF’s Retailer Spotlight on COVID-19.

We’re going to get through this, together.


While primarily for retailers, some of the links maybe of interest.

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Tax Relief Resources [NEW 3/20: Avalara.com created this comprehensive round up of state and federal tax relief resources with links and detailed guidance. Read it here.

https://www.avalara.com/us/en/blog/2020/03/coronavirus-tax-relief-roundup.html?fbclid=IwAR1LuPct8AtbrUBr7PYu6X-cg3likBfTUfYKlf-eINIuJ6xu4ChPrOGyoJw
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on April 28, 2020, 08:20:07 PM
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Join us for a live and unfiltered conversation with Steve Geppi, CEO of Diamond Comics Distribution.  He'll talk about how we got here and where the comics industry is going next as well as taking live questions from our panel of industry pundits and retailers from around the world.

https://youtu.be/XgN-JmPP0aM
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on May 02, 2020, 08:54:53 AM
https://www.previewsworld.com/Article/242337-Diamond-to-Skip-May-PREVIEWS-Will-Publish-MayJune-Edition

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Due to production delays created by the COVID-19 outbreak, Diamond will skip publication of the May edition of PREVIEWS (#380).

Instead, Diamond will publish a May/June edition of PREVIEWS (#380/#381).

The catalog will include all items originally intended for May solicitation, plus new items solicited in June. All items in the catalog will carry item codes with a JUN20 prefix.

The catalog is currently scheduled to arrive in stores May 27.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on May 11, 2020, 05:10:54 AM
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/45722/san-diego-comics-closing-end-may

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San Diego Comics will be closing at the end of the May, owner Bob Bellman told his customers on Facebook this weekend.  "Because of the COVID-19 virus, Diamond will not be distributing any new books until May 20th," he wrote.  "I can't hold out that long."  Diamond shut down new comic distribution in late May, and is planning a resumption of shipments later this month (see "Diamond to Resume Weekly New Product Distribution").

San Diego Comics has been in business since 1992, according to the San Diego Reader.  It was founded by Greg Pharis, whose Golden State Comics was one of the very early comic stores in the San Diego area, founded in 1976. This is the second long-lived California comic store to close as a result of the coronavirus crisis; Lee’s Comics in Mountain View, California announced that it would not re-open after shutting down in March (see "First Bay Area Store Casualty").

https://www.sandiegocomix.com/

https://www.facebook.com/SanDiegoComics/posts/2754339724789198
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on May 29, 2020, 04:13:09 PM
https://www.sandiegocomix.com/

Quote
sdcomicfest Paying our last respects to @sandiegocomics with one last bin dive. They will be here with half off everything in the store today, Friday and Saturday will be their last day.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAtMtHihhib/
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on July 06, 2020, 07:38:18 AM
https://twitter.com/GNUSBrands/status/1280129588404776960

Quote
EXCELSIOR! Now announcing #StanLeeUniverse with @TheRealStanLee
https://ir.gnusbrands.com/press-releases/detail/1077/genius-brands-international-announces-transaction-to-create
$GNUS #GNUS #GeniusBrands #NASDAQ $nasdaq #stanlee #kartoonchannel

Quote
Genius Brands Will Control New Joint Venture Drawing from Over 100 Original Stan Lee Creations

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., July 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Through a groundbreaking joint venture between Genius Brands International (“Genius Brands”) (NASDAQ:GNUS) and Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment, an agreement has been struck to create Stan Lee Universe. Stan Lee Universe will assume worldwide rights, in perpetuity, to the name, physical likeness, physical signature, live-action and animated motion picture, television, online, digital, publishing, comic book, merchandising and licensing rights to Stan Lee and his IP creations past*, present, and going forward.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on July 21, 2020, 07:47:25 PM
From https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/idws-chris-ryall-steps-down-as-president-publisher-1303929

Quote
IDW Publishing is undergoing a change in leadership, with Chris Ryall stepping down as president, publisher, and chief creative officer to launch a new publishing venture dedicated to developing new creative voices.

Ryall had been in the position since December 2018, when he returned to the company six months after stepping down as chief creative officer and editor-in-chief.

In an additional statement, IDW chairman Howard Jonas, “Chris has been instrumental in IDW Publishing’s success, and we thank him for the passion and commitment he brought to the company,” adding, “With Chris’s departure, IDW will be restructuring and expanding its operations, and we will name a new management team very soon.”

https://twitter.com/chris_ryall/status/1285755260296851456
Quote
Well. This news is a bit sooner than we'd all intended--so if I didn't get a chance to notify some of you directly as I'd hoped, apologies--but hey, there's always a big announcement on Tuesday leading into #SDCC, right?
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on August 14, 2020, 08:05:36 AM
Graphic novel pitch guide pointers thread from https://www.idwpublishing.com/creators/david-mariotte/

https://twitter.com/IDW_David_M/status/1294047883205816321

Quote
Last week, I saw @vellichorvictim ask why they see more guides to pitching GN projects than periodicals for comics and if there were any guides of that nature. So, figured I could put together a few pointers for them and anyone else who might be interested! 1/25

&

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dcs-jim-lee-companys-future-we-are-still-business-publishing-comics-1307413
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on November 17, 2020, 05:03:09 PM
https://www.diamondcomics.com/Home/1/1/3/597?articleID=247458

Quote
Diamond Comic Distributors, the world’s largest distributor of English-language comic books, graphic novels, and pop culture merchandise, is pleased to announce that it has signed a distribution agreement with Mad Cave Studios to exclusively distribute their products to comic book specialty markets worldwide. Diamond was also awarded the rights to exclusively distribute Mad Cave’s new releases to the North American book market under the banner of Diamond Book Distributors.

Mad Cave Studios is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded by Mark London in 2014, driven by madness and committed to providing quality entertainment with a fresh take in an array of genres. Mad Cave focuses on uplifting the comic community by supporting the underrepresented and writing stories that resonate with unapologetically authentic audiences. From horror and fantasy to sci-fi and adventure, Mad Cave Studios has a comic for every kind of reader. An unquestionable passion for creating comics and an undeniable commitment towards maddening creativity underscores Mad Cave’s drive to provide high-quality entertainment for today’s comic book reading audience.

“Mad Cave is truly excited to be partnering up with Diamond Books in an effort to establish ourselves in the book market and continue expanding in the direct market,” said Mad Cave Studios Publisher, Chris Fernandez.

CEO & CCO, Mark London adds, "Our true goal here is to offer graphic novels and comics that thrill and excite; for the youth that thinks differently today. We are publishing for those not afraid to be independent, who find freedom in the unexpected, and who will always fight to be the true versions of themselves.”

Mad Cave Studios boasts an ever-growing library of work, with comic books and graphic novels ranging from horror to fantasy to sci-fi and everything in between. Honor and Curse, written by Mark London with art from Nicolás Salamanca and colors from Tekino, tells the tale of a skilled and ambitious shinobi with dreams of leading his warrior clan, when an evil mountain spirit from his past inhabits his body and turns him into an unstoppable force of nature incapable of remorse. Knights of the Golden Sun, written by Mark London with art from Mauricio Villarreal, is a biblical epic set during the four hundred years that separate the Old Testament from the New Testament. In this period, neither man nor angel can hear God’s divine message, and a power struggle erupts among the Archangels and the Fallen over who will control the Father’s throne. Battlecats, also from Mark London, is a medieval fantasy comic set in Valderia – a majestic world shaped by its rich history and diverse feline cultures – which is protected by the Battlecats, an elite team of warriors sworn to protect the throne against the forces of evil.

“We are excited to begin a partnership with Mad Cave Studios and see great market potential in their books,” said Geppi Family Enterprises’ Chief Purchasing Officer, Tim Lenaghan. “Their continued effort to provide top-quality products that are both timely and relatable is an asset we value. We’re greatly looking forward to working with them to promote and sell their line of books.”
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on March 02, 2021, 06:48:17 PM
https://www.idwpublishing.com/job-opportunities/editor/

Quote

Editor

IDW Publishing seeks an experienced Editor to plan, coordinate, and edit content for the publication of several comic book series. The ideal candidate will interact with many departments within the company, creators, licensors, and the creative team to produce the publication on time and with accuracy. Therefore, solid communication (both written and verbal), multitasking, and organizational skills are critical to success.
Requirements:

    BA in Journalism, English, Writing, Art, Design, or related field.
    Demonstrated level of literacy and competency.
    Experience managing style and method of standards for creative products.
    4-5 years of experience working in an Editorial department.

Preferred:

    Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills.
    Strong knowledge of and interest in the comic-book industry.
    Ability to maintain strict monthly schedules on comic-book titles.
    Strong problem-solving capabilities.
    Acute attention to detail.
    Superior line- and copy-editing skills.
    Strong Mac skills, including Word, Excel, Keynote/PowerPoint; Photoshop a plus.

Key Responsibilities:

    Manage 6-8 comic-book titles per month, including but not limited to:
    Developing story ideas and proposals with writers, hiring a creative team, and working with the team to ensure
    deadlines are consistently met.
    Ensuring licensor or creator approval at all stages, including proposal, script, cover art, solicitation copy, b&w art,
    color art, and final lettered PDFs.
    Manage all other tasks associated with producing titles that meet creators’ and licensors’ approval and prepare titles
    for printing.
    Develop new titles and new talent.
    Work directly with licensors to develop and manage titles and approvals.
    Attend regular production and Editorial meetings and maintain constant status updates for all your projects for the Editor-In-Chief and Managing Editor.
    Convention attendance as required by Publisher or Editor-In-Chief, which may include traveling.
    Develop and maintain positive working relationships with licensors, creators, retailers, press, and co-workers.
    Brainstorm with the Editorial group on new directions or creators for existing licensed books, new creator-owned
    titles, and potential new licenses to pursue.
    Assist the Marketing department with the development of press releases and marketing materials.
    Play a role on the Editorial Review Committee, vetting creative proposals and available properties.
    Prepare monthly comic-book solicitations and cover images for your titles.
    Other duties as needed.

Additional Information:

    This position can be based out of the San Diego, CA or Los Angeles, CA offices.
    To apply please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected] with “Editor Applicant” in the subject line.

Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on March 25, 2021, 08:50:16 PM
From https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-penguin-random-house-announce-exclusive-agreement-to-distribute-marvel-comics-and-graphic-novels

Quote
New York, NY – March 25, 2021 – Marvel Comics and Penguin Random House Publisher Services (PRHPS), a division of Penguin Random House, the renowned trade book publisher, today announced an exclusive worldwide multi-year sales and distribution agreement for Marvel’s newly published and backlist comic books, trade collections, and graphic novels to comics shops, known as the Direct Market. PRHPS officially begins its distribution to Direct Market retailers for all Marvel titles starting October 1.

After a thorough analysis of the market environment, Marvel has chosen PRHPS as its distribution partner to create a sustainable, productive supply chain and enhanced infrastructure for Marvel publications that will benefit comics retailers and fans alike for years to come. Penguin Random House is known for its state-of-the-art multi-ranging services that enable independent booksellers to increase efficiency and profitability.

“Marvel’s entire history is built on telling great stories. And as we’ve seen for decades, those stories go hand in hand with equipping the comic shops who share them. Marvel and Penguin Random House stand by that vision, and we are excited to build and expand those opportunities for our talent, retailers, and fans,” said Dan Buckley, President of Marvel Entertainment. “Comics are the core of the Marvel Universe, and we are confident this new partnership will continue to grow and evolve this resilient industry. We look forward to advancing our capabilities with PRHPS to serve our fans and the Direct Market. We thank Diamond for their many years of support and partnership as we continue our relationship with them in other areas.”
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: perc2100 on March 26, 2021, 05:26:53 PM
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From https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/marvel-penguin-random-house-announce-exclusive-agreement-to-distribute-marvel-comics-and-graphic-novels
So that's both Marvel & DC comics no longer w/Diamond, huh  :o
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: alyssa on March 26, 2021, 07:24:14 PM
wow, that's a shake up. Penguin elbowed out Diamond in both dc and marvel??

how is this going to work?
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Pyramid on March 28, 2021, 09:56:28 AM
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wow, that's a shake up. Penguin elbowed out Diamond in both dc and marvel??

how is this going to work?

I, for one am, glad.  I HATE Diamond.  Comics were always dinged up.  Plus how they treated the stores is atrocious.  Penguin has been around forever.  I also think this will mean that Penguin will be able to distribute outside of LCSs boosting sales and product lines.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Chris on March 28, 2021, 11:13:25 AM
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I, for one am, glad.  I HATE Diamond.  Comics were always dinged up.  Plus how they treated the stores is atrocious.  Penguin has been around forever.  I also think this will mean that Penguin will be able to distribute outside of LCSs boosting sales and product lines.

Yeah, most of the stores I've bern to talk a lot about late/incorrect shipments.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Louie_rob_m on March 29, 2021, 10:25:57 PM
I'm happy to see the Diamond monopoly go down, it's been choking the industry for far too long.  I think it's going to be a great thing for the industry and will hopefully create new distribution channels to get comics into the hands of many more readers
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on March 30, 2021, 06:56:33 PM
https://twitter.com/IDWPublishing/status/1376940793420742662

Quote
We're excited to bring six new hires onto the IDW Publishing team.

https://www.idwpublishing.com/idw-expands-its-growing-team-with-six-new-hires/
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on May 21, 2021, 01:36:47 PM
https://previewsworld.com/Article/251960-Launch-Date-for-Online-Pull-Service-PREVIEWSworld-PULLBOX-Announced

https://previewsworld.com/pullbox

Quote
Want an easy way to order from your local comic shop? Looking to subscribe to and manage monthly titles? Sign up now for PREVIEWSworld PULLBOX!

PREVIEWSworld PULLBOX is a new online program that lets you subscribe to comic book titles, preorder from the latest PREVIEWS catalog, and order any item available—all from your local comic shop!
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on September 01, 2021, 06:00:51 PM
https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/comics-store/home

https://www.gamesradar.com/comixology-fall-2021-update/

Quote
A major update to Amazon's Comixology app will be rolling out this fall - one which will further integrate the comics reading platform with the main Amazon site. According to an email to users from Comixology co-founder/CEO David Steinberger (who is also Amazon's head of comics worldwide), these are "important changes" - some of which are in response to customer demand.

The biggest change will be a complete integration of Comixology into Amazon in terms of purchases and the platform. When the Comixology app update rolls out, Steinberger says the Comixology.com homepage will be redirected to an Amazon.com section - so no more Comixology.com.

While previously you could visit Comixology.com directly or peruse its collection through Amazon (and its app), once the app update comes through browser users' only option will be through Amazon.com. All Comixology users will be required to merge their accounts with an Amazon account - something it has been recommending (but not requiring) for the past few years.

This is part of what Steinberger calls a "revamped digital comics shopping experience," and appears similar to how people who visit Kindle.com are redirected to a section of Amazon.com.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on September 26, 2021, 12:26:09 PM
From https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/marvel-suing-avengers-copyright-termination-1235020110

Quote
Disney’s Marvel unit is suing to hold on to full control of Avengers characters including Iron Man, Spider-Man, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Falcon, Thor and others.

The complaints, which The Hollywood Reporter has obtained, come against the heirs of some late comic book geniuses including Stan Lee, Steve Ditko and Gene Colan. The suits seek declaratory relief that these blockbuster characters are ineligible for copyright termination as works made for hire. If Marvel loses, Disney would have to share ownership of characters worth billions.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: perc2100 on September 26, 2021, 08:27:55 PM
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From https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/marvel-suing-avengers-copyright-termination-1235020110
The dirty, awful side of the business of comics  >:(
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: chocolateshake on September 26, 2021, 10:12:03 PM
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From https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/marvel-suing-avengers-copyright-termination-1235020110

This was discussed at SAM.  Artists have been successful reclaiming rights to their work that they sold decades ago.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on December 21, 2021, 08:49:52 AM
https://majorspoilers.com/2021/12/21/business-embracer-group-to-acquire-dark-horse/

Quote
Embracer Group AB (“Embracer”) has today entered into an agreement to acquire Dark Horse Media, LLC (“Dark Horse”), a leading entertainment company. Post-closing, Dark Horse will become the tenth operative group of the Embracer group. Through the acquisition, Embracer strengthens its transmedia capabilities by adding expertise in content development, comics publishing, and film & TV production. Dark Horse owns or controls more than 300 intellectual properties, many of which are attractive for future transmedia exploitation, including the creation of new video games. Dark Horse founder and CEO Mike Richardson will continue to lead the company together with existing management.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on January 22, 2022, 12:24:41 AM
https://youtu.be/HsgSNNDFc1M
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on February 01, 2022, 10:55:58 PM
https://previewsworld.com/Article/257056-Diamond-Comic-Distributors-Celebrates-40-Years-of-Service

Quote
Today, Diamond Comic Distributors officially celebrates its 40th anniversary, a milestone in the evolution of the company.

On February 1 of 1982, President and CEO, Steve Geppi, transitioned from local retailer to comic book distributor with one warehouse and seventeen customers. Forty years later, Diamond has grown into the largest distributor of English-language comic books, graphic novels, and related pop culture merchandise worldwide.

Geppi’s accomplishments don’t stop with Diamond. Over the last forty years he has built an impressive network of pop culture related companies and brands under the name, Geppi Family Enterprises (GFE). Together, these companies position GFE as a leader in the wholesale distribution, licensing, publishing, grading, and preservation of comics, games, toys, and collectibles.

“None of this would have been possible without our customers, our vendors and of course our incredible employees,” said Geppi. “I am deeply grateful for the commitment to excellence and the dedication my teams bring to what they do every day. The fact that we are marking Diamond’s 40th anniversary today is a tribute to their hard work and gives us all reason to celebrate!”

From the beginning, Diamond has been dedicated to the specialized needs of the Direct Market and focused on continuous improvement. Whether it’s launching a new platform like PULLBOX that enables fans to manage subscriptions and order product for pick-up from their local comic shop, improving shipping boxes, providing new promotional opportunities for publishers, or supporting fan engagement through events like Free Comic Book Day, Diamond lives and breathes this industry.

“I am extremely proud of the important and proactive role Diamond and Geppi Family Enterprises have played and continues to play in this wonderful and dynamic industry,” says Chuck Parker, President of Diamond Comic Distributors. “When Steve launched Diamond 40 years ago, his vision was to create a company that was a true partner to customers and suppliers, as well as a place employees would be proud to work. I have been with Diamond for almost 37 years and while I have seen many changes in our industry, Diamond has stayed true to that vision.”

In addition to celebrating 40 years of service, Diamond is marking a few other key milestones this year. PREVIEWS, the definitive print source for upcoming comic books, graphic novels, toys, games, and more, premiered its 400th issue in January. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of Diamond’s dedicated customer service team and 20 years in Diamond’s consolidated inventory and shipping hub located in and around Olive Branch, MS.

Diamond plans to keep the celebration going all year long. Consumers and retailers can expect to see 40th Anniversary PREVIEWS Exclusives featuring commemorative logo stickers on the packaging, 40 weeks of special deals, commemorative ads inside PREVIEWS, a new look for the Diamondcomics.com homepage and more.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on March 30, 2023, 05:19:35 PM
https://deadline.com/2023/03/amazon-studios-marvel-joe-quesada-exclusive-first-look-deal-1235313811/

Quote
Amazon Studios has signed an exclusive first-look deal with former Marvel Editor-In-Chief Joe Quesada. Under the deal, Quesada will be developing series and films for Prime Video, focusing on adapting existing and new comic book IP.

“I can’t begin to express just how thrilled I am to be joining the Amazon Studios family. From the moment Nick Pepper, Matt King, and the team approached me, it was clear we spoke the same language and shared the same creative goals. What was also clear is that they’re creating a collaborative environment and unique methodology that I’m surprised no one has yet thought to implement, but I’m certain will be quickly imitated,” said Quesada in a statement.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on April 27, 2023, 03:25:07 PM
https://idwmediaholdings.com/idw-media-announces-cost-cutting-measures/

Quote
LOS ANGELES, CA and NEWARK, NJ / April 27, 2023 / IDW Media Holdings, Inc., (the “Company” or “IDW”) (NYSE American:IDW), an integrated media company, today announced a series of significant moves in response to operational challenges to position the Company for recovery and future growth.

IDW’s Board of Directors has determined to implement a reduction of force, deregister the Company’s Class B common stock under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, delist the Class B common stock from the NYSE American, make changes in senior management, and implement cost cutting measures.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: Jesse O on April 27, 2023, 03:30:36 PM
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https://idwmediaholdings.com/idw-media-announces-cost-cutting-measures/

Oh that's not good. I used to love the IDW booth for the Artist Editions. When they became fewer and farther between, I enjoyed browsing (and buying from) the Top Shelf booth adjacent (IDW bought Top Shelf in 2015 or so). Wondering what their presence will look like at SDCC. When a publicly held company buys a cool brand and then has to go through cost-cutting measures (I'm thinking about the Funko / Mondo debacle), it breaks my heart.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on May 03, 2023, 12:53:58 PM
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/jim-lee-named-president-dc-1235479090/

Quote
Jim Lee, the superstar artist-turned-publisher of DC, has added the title president to his growing list of executive designations.

Lee, re-upping his deal with DC, has been promoted to president as well as publisher and CCO of the comic book company, which is part of Warner Bros. Discovery.

The executive will continue to report to Pam Lifford, president of global brands, franchises and experiences at Warner Bros. Discovery, who announced the promotion Wednesday.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: perc2100 on May 03, 2023, 01:59:51 PM
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https://idwmediaholdings.com/idw-media-announces-cost-cutting-measures/
I wonder how that translates to production of product.  I know they 'lost' the licensing of Transformers & GI Joe fairly recently (no idea if IDW let the deal expire, or if Hasbro 'forced their hand,' so to speak, or if IDW couldn't afford to re-up the licensing agreement), and I haven't been to their Comic Book Art Gallery/HQ since before COVID so I'm not sure how that's running nowadays.  It's hard not to think they're scaling back production-wise
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on May 03, 2023, 03:36:54 PM
https://www.idwpublishing.com/news/articles/names-ceo-cdo-publisher-editor-in-chief

Quote
SAN DIEGO, CA - May 3, 2023 - IDW Media Holdings, Inc. and its IDW Publishing unit, announced today a strategic organizational restructuring, including the appointment of Davidi Jonas as CEO and Joshua Frankel as CDO, and the promotions of Mark Doyle and Tara McCrillis to Co-Publishers, Amber Huerta as COO, and Jamie S. Rich as Editor-in-Chief.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on July 29, 2023, 08:11:14 PM
From https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/54719/diamond-addresses-competitive-issues-changes-postpones-retailer-summit

Quote
Powell flagged two changes to cut Diamond shipping charges, where it is competing with PRHPS’s free freight policy.  As of July 1, UPS Ground shipping charges on printed products were reduced by 40%, a change Powell attributed primarily to a new contract negotiated with UPS.  And Diamond has also tested and will implement the use of the U.S. Postal Service, which will be more economical, especially for small packages.

Diamond has reduced the size of its Hunt Valley, Maryland headquarters office, Powell revealed, with employees working from home, and, left unsaid, likely some reductions in force related to reduced sales volume.

Powell also announced that the company is postponing its 2024 Diamond Retailer Summit, which had been planned in conjunction with Megacon in February as part of a two-year deal with Fan Expo (see "Two-Year Deal with Fan Expo"), to avoid a conflict with the ComicsPro Annual Meeting, planned for February.  A new date was not announced.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on October 26, 2023, 04:19:58 PM
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/55440/dc-boss-exits-warner-bros-discovery

Quote
Warner Bros. Discovery President of Global Brands, Franchises, and Experiences Pam Lifford is leaving to company to focus on a family healthcare issue, and DC President Jim Lee and General Manager Anne De Pies will report directly to Lifford’s boss, DC has confirmed. Lifford had previously reported to WBD Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer Bruce Campbell; Lee and De Pies will now report to Campbell directly.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on November 14, 2023, 08:56:18 PM
https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/comics-store/mkt/comixology-app-merge-faq

Quote
What’s happening to the Comixology app?

On December 4, 2023, we will be merging the Comixology and Kindle applications on iOS, Android, and Fire OS, and the Comixology app will no longer be available for use.


Where will I read comics?

After December 4, 2023, you can continue to access your Comixology comics, graphic novels, and manga titles in the Kindle app. Please ensure you are using the same Amazon login you use now for the Comixology app. You may also continue to read your Comixology books on the web via read.amazon.com. If you prefer to read on your Kindle E-reader, you can go to Your Content and Devices to send individual books to download on your E-reader. Mac users can also read via the recently upgraded Kindle for Mac.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on December 18, 2023, 09:14:26 PM
https://icv2.com/articles/columns/view/55862/top-comics-business-stories-2023

Quote
2023, where have you gone?  As another page of the calendar flutters into the ashbin of history, it's time for the annual retrospective of the stories that shaped our industry in the past year. Here are a few that moved the needle.
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on January 29, 2024, 09:20:02 PM
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/56104/diamond-cancels-2024-retailer-summit

Quote
Diamond Comic Distributors has canceled its 2024 Retailer Summit, as the distributor sales conference fades in favor of trade association events.  Diamond had announced at its San Diego Comic-Con retailer lunch last summer that the event was being postponed from its originally planned February dates to avoid conflicting with the ComicsPro Annual Meeting (see “Diamond Postpones Retailer Summit”), and in its announcement of the cancellation, Diamond said, “Our team is committed to finding alternative ways to engage and collaborate with all our retail partners, including seeing many of you next month at the upcoming ComicsPRO Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, and hosting our annual Retailer Appreciation Luncheon at Comic-Con International: San Diego in July.”
Title: Re: The business of comics
Post by: AzT on February 23, 2024, 08:30:22 AM
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/56314/comicspro-dc-returns-wednesday-new-comic-book-day

Quote
DC Comics will be returning to a Wednesday release schedule for new periodicals beginning in July, they announced at the ComicsPRO Annual Meeting.

Starting on Wednesday, July 3, DC’s periodical releases will go on sale on the traditional Wednesday new comic day.  They cited "feedback from retailers and readers" as driving this choice.  New graphic novels and collected editions will continue to release on Tuesday. DC started releasing new comics on Tuesdays in April 2020 (see "DC to Resume Releasing New Comics") when they moved to new distributors during the pandemic.