An ICv2 Release. ICv2 will present data and expert opinion on the future of manga at the ICv2 Insider Talks at New York Comic Con. The data will come from a brief summary of past and current manga trends by ICv2 moderator Milton Griepp, introducing a discussion with two manga insiders that have unique vantage points on the U.S. market: Yen Press and Kadokawa Retail Ventures President Kurt Hassler and Manga Spot Director of Retail Operations Jim Killen.
With manga taking an increasing share of graphic novel sales in the U.S., insight into the forces that are driving this growth and where it’s going in the future is essential to an overall understanding of the U.S. comics and graphic novel market.
Few people are better qualified to discuss these issues than Hassler, who spent seven years as the graphic novel buyer for Borders Group during the manga surge in the 00s, then went on to co-found Yen Press, and James Killen, who spent 21 years, including the formative years of manga fandom in the U.S., as graphic novel buyer at Barnes & Noble. Both are now key leaders of Manga Spot, a new retail chain specializing in manga with plans to grow to 1,000 stores in the U.S.
Both Hassler and Killen have long histories with ICv2 conferences at New York Comic Con. The first of Hassler’s multiple appearances was at the ICv2 Graphic Novel Conference in 2007, where he participated in a panel discussion on Manga Ratings, Redactions, and Freedom of Speech (see “ICv2 Graphic Novel Conference“). Killen has also appeared multiple times, beginning with his participation in the Buyers Panel – Graphic Novels, the Next Three Years at the first New York Comic Con in 2006 (see “First ICv2 Graphic Novel Conference“).
The ICv2 Insider Talks: The Future of Fandom, an industry event for business and creative professionals, will be held from 3:00-6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 8 in the dramatic 4th Floor River Pavilion at the Javits Center, in association with New York Comic Con.
If you are a business or creative professional and would like a free invitation to the event, email Conferences@ICv2.com (please include your full name and company affiliation or profession. You must also have a New York Comic Con badge in one of their pro categories to attend.
If you are press and would like to cover the event, email Conferences@ICv2.com.
For more on the ICv2 Insider Talks and the full schedule, see “ICv2 Insider Talks at New York Comic Con.”
The Future of Manga (4:30-5:00 p.m.)
Manga fandom is in the midst of a worldwide surge of growth, driven by the wide availability of anime and coordinated efforts to expand the world audience by Japanese companies and government. Here from manga insiders on the
Kurt Hassler is the co-founder and President of Yen Press, LLC. A pioneer in the North American manga industry, he helped bring manga into the mainstream during his time as the Graphic Novel Buyer at Borders Group. He also serves as President of KADOKAWA Retail Ventures (KRV), where he oversees the company’s retail operations, including its Manga Spot stores. The first of Hassler’s multiple appearances was at the ICv2 Graphic Novel Conference in 2007, where he participated in a panel discussion on Manga Ratings, Redactions, and Freedom of Speech.
James Killen is the Director of Retail Operations for Manga Spot. He is a highly influential, longtime book buyer and pop-culture tastemaker, best known for his 21-year tenure as Barnes & Noble’s buyer for manga, graphic novels, science fiction, fantasy, and role-playing games. Killen has appeared at ICv2 conferences at new York Comic Con multiple times, beginning with his participation in the Buyers Panel – Graphic Novels, the Next Three Years at the first New York Comic Con in 2006.
Milton Griepp is the founder and President of Eisner-nominated ICv2, since 2001 the undisputed industry authority on the business of fandom. He is a 50-year veteran of the business and has managed companies that sold over $1 billion in fan products as CEO of Capital City Distribution and Next Planet Over. He also served on the board of comiXology during its key development until its sale to Amazon, and was Vice President and board member of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
These companies make this event possible:
Co-Sponsor: GlobalComix
GlobalComix is built to grow the digital market for comics and manga. We help publishers reach new audiences and new markets, translating and distributing their catalogs and building fandom around their IP. True to our name, we connect comics cultures across borders, helping stories travel between East and West and reach readers they otherwise might not. With 300,000+ titles, day-and-date releases, and a rapidly growing roster of publishers, we’re building the category at global scale.
Sponsor: Mad Cave Studios
Mad Cave Studios, established in 2014, is an independent publisher of comic books, graphic novels, and more. Mad Cave’s catalog includes a mix of licensed, creator-owned, and original works, created by a diverse cast of storytellers. Mad Cave Studios is the parent company to imprints Maverick (young adult), Nakama Press (manga, manhua, manhwa, and other international voices), and Papercutz (middle grade/kids). Visit them online at madcavestudios.com.
About ICv2
ICv2 is where the business of fandom, including comics, graphic novels, manga, hobby games, and merch, comes together around breaking business news, executive interviews, reviews, opinion, and sales charts and trend reports on its website, ICv2.com, in its magazine, Internal Correspondence Annual, and at events like this. For the people on the front lines of the business of fandom, 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
