An ICv2 Release. Over the past year, a raft of new comic publishers and content houses, many with high-profile founders and/or substantial financing, have been created or launched. Those companies include, in alphabetical order, Act 4, Advent Comics, Amazing Comics, AMP, Bad Egg, DSTLRY, Ghost Machine, Magma, Mechanical Cake, Ninth Circle, Tiny Onion, and a yet-to-be-named company from Eric Gitter, Filip Sablik, Jamie Rich, and Jeremy Haun.
The backdrop for this start-up surge is a seven percent decline in North America comics and graphic novel sales last year (although they are still well above pre-Covid marks, see “Down 7%“), and a tough business in which very large companies dominate. Two of the biggest entertainment companies in the world account for 60% of the periodical comics business, and a handful of publishers, some very large, have big percentages of the graphic novel business.
Why is there an unprecedented movement of talent and capital to new comic publishers? To explore the question, ICv2 is hosting “The New Wave of Comic Publishers” at the ICv2 Insider Talks: The Next Comics Revolution at New York Comic Con.
The ICv2 Insider Talks: The Next Comics Revolution, and Comic Industry Social Hour, will kick off with the Comic Industry Social Hour at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, October 17, in the dramatic 4th Floor Pavilion at the Javits Center, in association with New York comic Con. The Insider Talks, which will run 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., will include four powerful sessions in a quick-moving format, each focusing on the trends that are leading toward the next revolution in the comics business.
In “The New Wave of Comic Publishers,” longtime comics journalist Heidi MacDonald (ComicsBeat, KComicsBeat, Publishers Weekly) talks with executives from two of these start-ups, with very different business models, about this trend and the reasons behind it.
The New Wave of Comic Publishers (5:00-5:30 p.m.), features the following key insiders:
Scott Dunbier, Founder at Act 4, has held top editorial and management positions at Wildstorm, later acquired by DC, and at IDW Publishing. At Wildstorm, which he joined in 1995, he oversaw comics by Alan Moore, Warren Ellis, and many others. At IDW Publishing, which he joined in 2008, he created and ran the Artist’s Edition format and oversaw many other archival releases, and new projects by Darwyn Cooke, Walter Simonson, and others.
Robert Meyers, Director of Publishing at Bad Egg Publishing, a joint venture of merchandising firm Warren James and the talent management company Mana Talent Group, leads all creative, business, and editorial initiatives at the company. Meyers has over ten years in the publishing industry, including time at Valiant Entertainment, Take-Two Interactive, and Oni Press.
Heidi MacDonald is the award-winning editor-in-chief of ComicsBeat.com and KComicsBeat.com and a contributing editor to Publishers Weekly. She has edited comics for DC Comics, Disney, First Second, Z2 and more. You can hear her bi-weekly on the More to Come podcast.
If you are a business or creative professional, have a New York Comic Con badge in one of the pro categories, and would like a free ticket to the event, email Conferences@ICv2.com.
If you are press and would like to cover the event, email Conferences@ICv2.com.
For more information, click here.
The support of these companies makes this event possible:
Co-Sponsor: GlobalComix
GlobalComix is a comics platform for the modern era, dedicated to reshaping the landscape of graphic fiction creation, distribution, and consumption on a global scale. Focused on providing tools to grow and succeed, GlobalComix is on a tireless mission to create the best platform in the world to publish, discover, and read comics. GlobalComix empowers creators with the tools they need to reach new audiences, monetize their work, and engage with fans in novel ways. For readers, GlobalComix offers a diverse, immersive, and engaging reading experience that spans genres and geographies.
Supporting Sponsor: Diamond Comic Distributors
With over 40 years of service, Diamond Comic Distributors is a leader in the worldwide distribution of comics, games, toys, collectibles and preservation supplies. With an unparalleled distribution network, Diamond’s mission is to support and serve our customers and partners with all their pop culture needs. Diamond is part of Geppi Family Enterprises, the largest producers and distributors of English-language comics, toys, collectibles, games, and preservation supplies worldwide.
About ICv2
ICv2 is the #1 industry source on the business of geek culture, including comics and graphic novels, manga, hobby games, and merch, on its website, ICv2.com, in its magazine, Internal Correspondence Annual, and with events like these. For the people on the front lines of the geek culture business, staying ahead of the trends isn’t something that can be left to chance – it’s a basic necessity for being successful. ICv2 is the #1 source of news and information for the thought leaders at the forefront of change.
Source: ICV2
