What fans want at fandom conventions and comic cons. Apr 08, 2017 so if some comic shops retailers and customers reject characters like ms. Panels are often accompanied by descriptive prose and written narrative, usually, dialog contained in word balloons emblematic of the comics art form. What a cmo can learn from a comic book not along ago i sat down with mark for a chat about the use of demographics, comic books and what a marketer can learn from all of this. Comic books have become a huge part of todays popular culture, and it is certainly refreshing to know that you can casually enjoy them in digital form. At san diego comiccon, diversity in content and consumers is key. Catering to each audience, this report offers publishers and retailers indepth. Official overstreet comic book price guide companion sc 1990 4th edition. The 11 largest anime conventions in north america hosted a combined 374,936 people in 2016. With san diego comiccon kicking off this week, were returning to see how things stand. This statistic shows the frequency of reading comic books among. Overall, the comics and graphic novelbuying public is 69% nonhispanic white, 12% latino, 10% african american, and 8% asian.
Yesterday was dc comics stats, and tomorrow will be indiesmall press comics for those that dont know, this data is mined from facebooks demographic data using terms that correspond to likes, groups, etc. Brett schenker did some fancy facebook fooling and compiled a few statistics about the people who selfidentify as comic book readers. This statistic shows the frequency of reading comic books among adults in the united states as of november 2018, broken down by age group. Conventions are, in their own way, a different type of retail space, and at another icv2 panel, titled the con explosion and moderated by comic editor and commentator heidi macdonald, several convention insiders presented more statistics about the comics audience, this time looking at the fans who go to conventions. In july of 2014, i looked at the facebook demographics of marvel. Anyone that has studied statistics knows that the results can be presented in a number of different ways to support or attack a preconceived idea or agenda. They team up with comic book writers, who create the characters, plots, and dialogues for the artists to illustrate.
However, in comic book stores, that rises to 72% male, and an older. Comic book artists tell stories through the graphic images they create. Analysis of the female presence in the maledominated comic. Alamy and in the demographic report presented on 1 september, for the first time the gender split was in.
The oversize coffee tablestyle 848page book reprinted the first 30 issues of the original fantastic four, the comic created by stan lee and jack kirby. The unstoppable rise of female comic readers books. By contrast, the breakdown in comic shops is 71% white, % latino, 14% black, and 5% asian. Also, while the us demographic is currently 61% white, 18% latino, % black, 5% asian, the entire comics market is 69% white, 12% latino, 10%. Comic book franchise impact on the decision to see a superhero movie by age u. She added, every comics reader demographic survey weve ever seen has 5 10% female readership. Comics and graphic novels one of highest growth categories in. The female thor and the female comicbook reader the atlantic. Comic book publishing in the us industry data, trends. We have values for any marvel, dc, image, idw, darkhorse, or dell comic book that is in your collection. Official overstreet comic book price guide companion sc 2008 38th edition. However, in comic book stores, that rises to 72% male, and an older audience.
The direct market, as it came to be known, allowed comic book publishers to send their products to retailers who marketed directly and, usually, only to comic book consumers. African american and 8% asian and the comic shop demographic is. A comic book or comicbook, also called comic magazine or simply comic, is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panels that represent individual scenes. Jul 29, 2014 so why did comic con play to familiar faces. Their comic book characters were created by stan lee, jack kirby, steve ditko and many others. Changing consumer habits and endless entertainment content available at the swipe of a finger has challenged the very establishments that. Cons are getting bigger, but are they getting better. Official overstreet comic book price guide companion sc 1989 3rd edition. John leguizamo on need for latino superheroes screen rant. Comics almost half the attendees at this years comic con international in san diego were women, writes yael kohen in an article about the growing importance of women to the comics industry. John jackson miller is an author of books and comic books, and he. Is the average age of comic book readers increasing. On top of that, icv2 recently released consumer demographics data in the aftermath of new york comic con, and the numbers revealed that latinos accounted for 12% of the comic and graphic novelbuying public again, the biggest minority group.
Shounen, shoujo, josei and seinen are also used to. Kinokuniya is a japanese based bookstore, and the focus is on manga and other japanese properties, but they have begun to carry western graphic novels as well. Analysis of the female presence in the maledominated. Commonly, comic conventions are multiday events hosted at convention centers, hotels, or college campuses. So if some comic shops retailers and customers reject characters like ms.
At the new york comic con insider sessions powered by icv2, kristen mclean of npd bookscan broke out some demographic data, based on a 72,000person book buying consumer panel, about who is buying graphic novels, what they are buying, and where they are buying them. Some comic book artists write and illustrate the comic books themselves. Marvel comics founded in 1939 as marvel worldwide inc. They feature a wide variety of activities and panels, with a larger number of attendees participating in. Comics price guide was the first online price guide for comic books back in 1995. Comics almost half the attendees at this years comiccon international in san diego were women, writes yael kohen in an article about the growing importance of women to the comics industry. Sep 18, 2015 gail simone poses with fans at the shanghai comic con. Alamy and in the demographic report presented on 1 september, for the first time the gender split was in favour of women. In fact, the very first story in its first issue, written by kurtzman and illustrated by will elder. The retail mavericks who gave us a new geek culture examines the rise of comic shops as the local of fan communities after the development of the direct market of comic sales through case studies of various comic book stores in the united states, including the laughing ogre in columbus, ohio and distributors like capital city distribution. May 01, 2015 comic book publishers struggle to attract new generation of readers the comic book industry is facing challenges to create characters that are diverse enough to appeal to a younger demographic.
Comic book and graphic novel market 20102011 looks to make breaking into the market for comics and graphic novels far easier, while bringing indepth, exclusive analysis for those already experiencing what the industry has to offer. Nov 16, 2014 conventions are, in their own way, a different type of retail space, and at another icv2 panel, titled the con explosion and moderated by comic editor and commentator heidi macdonald, several convention insiders presented more statistics about the comics audience, this time looking at the fans who go to conventions. Gail simone poses with fans at the shanghai comiccon. Marvel, squirrel girl, and black panther, comic book shops arent the whole story. Gone were the days when comic book lovers seem to be exclusively made up of comic geeks who have unquestionable passion in collecting merchandise. He details how gasoline alley advocated the pleasures of the automobile and how 1920s working girl winnie winkle became determined to achieve a middleclass lifestyle. What she is seeing is a young marketbut only in certain sectors. I believe this incorporated a significant passalong multiplier of at least three people assumed to read each comic. Comics fans on facebook almost 45% women now and how publishers stack up torsten adair 120620 12. Sep 29, 2014 what a cmo can learn from a comic book not along ago i sat down with mark for a chat about the use of demographics, comic books and what a marketer can learn from all of this. At san diego comiccon, diversity in content and consumers. Jun 03, 2019 hasbro today announced a partnership with mills entertainment to launch my little pony live, a new touring musical inspired by my little pony. So fan demographics and paid customer demographics may never realistically be brought fully into alignment.
Oct 20, 2017 also, while the us demographic is currently 61% white, 18% latino, % black, 5% asian, the entire comics market is 69% white, 12% latino, 10% africanamerican and 8% asian and the comic shop. Terence irvins, graphic novel and comics buyer for kinokuniya books in new york city, also sees customers who are willing to cross over from one fandom to another. Dec 03, 2007 the oversize coffee tablestyle 848page book reprinted the first 30 issues of the original fantastic four, the comic created by stan lee and jack kirby in 1961. Weve seen the future of comic books and, oh, wait, it. New providence, nj august 24, 2010 bowker released its muchanticipated 2009 u. Historically, the company targeted the heavy user, males 18 to 35 years old. Comic book publishers struggle to attract new generation of readers the comic book industry is facing challenges to create characters that are. Comic book collectors are often lifelong enthusiasts of the comic book stories, and they usually focus on particular heroes and attempt to assemble the entire run of a title. Official overstreet comic book price guide companion sc 1988 2nd edition.
Comic book publishing in the us industry trends 20152020 comic book publishing in the us industry outlook 20202025 poll average industry growth 20202025. Comic book publishers struggle to attract new generation of. A comic book convention or comic con is an event with a primary focus on comic books and comic book culture, in which comic book fans gather to meet creators, experts, and each other. Sep 28, 2018 telling these stories with underrepresented demographics is a way to keep the formula fresh and maintain the notion of a comic book superhero movie as a genuine event film for at least some. Surprising new data shows comic readers are leaving. Customers buy an average of nearly 50 comic books a month. Comic book publishers struggle to attract new generation. Young women are the fastest growing demographic according. Comic book reading by young people in the united kingdom uk 20052015 share of comic books readers in norway daily 20082018 market share of the comic industry in. While many stores report that their childrens comics sections continue to grow, the demographic that seems to be growing the fastest is young women, aged 1733. At the new york comic con insider sessions powered by icv2.
Telling these stories with underrepresented demographics is a way to keep the formula fresh and maintain the notion of a comic book superhero movie as a. Comic strips and consumer culture explores how comic strips contributed to the expansion of a mass consumer culture that was increasingly driven by visual images. Over the years, the book industry has remained a massive, greatly influential global consumer market. He cites statistics showing that young women are the fastestgrowing segment of the comics audience, talks to image comics president eric stephenson and. Port washington, ny, october 6, 2017 according to npd bookscan data from global information provider the npd group, the comics and graphic novels category in the u.
Western union did just that when it teamed with marvel custom solutions on a digital and print comic book starring bigname marvel characters, written and drawn by bigtime marvel talent, and distributed to the target audience at bigtime comic book shows, social media and all the channels where marvel fans enjoy their favorite stories. Comicbook sales began increasing five years ago and have been steadily rising ever since, probably because of the more diverse stories and the mainstream films depicting them. Hollywood loves white guys, but its real superhero. Jul 08, 2015 in july of 2014, i looked at the facebook demographics of marvel. Prior, the brand had focused mostly on young males through marketing campaigns such as the burger king king, a comicbook like figure with a permanent smile, and the subservient chicken, which did whatever fans asked of him. Hasbro today announced a partnership with mills entertainment to launch my little pony live, a new touring musical inspired by my little pony. The premier online comics price guide free comic book values. Comic book reading by young people in the united kingdom uk 20052015 share of comic books readers in norway daily 20082018 market share of the comic industry in spain in 2018, by comic publisher.
The following categories are rare in english translation. Percentage of total comic book sales for marvel comics 39. American comics were dominated by superhero comic book periodicals for decades. This year women and men are close in percent until age 50 where theres a clear split most likely do to general facebook user demographics. Hollywood loves white guys, but its real superhero audience. Its up to captain marvel and birds of prey to save comic. This was a survey of consumers who specifically purchased dc comicsthe new 52 comic books, either in print or digital format. From our humble beginnings, we have grown to the largest, most complete comic book price guide with well over 1,000,000 comics in our database. The comic book is back, in luxe coffeetable form the. Jun 02, 2017 percentage of total comic book sales for marvel comics 39.
Jul 27, 2017 just a few years ago, san diego comic con was the only con that attracted more than 100,00 attendees. Prior, the brand had focused mostly on young males through marketing campaigns such as the burger king king, a comic book like figure with a permanent smile, and the subservient chicken, which did whatever fans asked of him. Without new, young consumers having access to comic books in the stores they frequent, can the industry survive even with digital comics. Zoomcomix is a trendsetting online comic book store, offering our firstrate comic books and exceptional customer service to shoppers from the comfort of their own homes. Yonkoma 4panel strips note silver and golden manga for older readers hobby manga, such as golf manga, pachinko manga, fishing manga, etc. The comic book industry has always considered itself a vanguard of progressiveness. Book consumer demographics and buying behaviors annual report today, providing the u. Dec 01, 2015 western union did just that when it teamed with marvel custom solutions on a digital and print comic book starring bigname marvel characters, written and drawn by bigtime marvel talent, and distributed to the target audience at bigtime comic book shows, social media and all the channels where marvel fans enjoy their favorite stories. Comic book writer arie kaplan says that while researching his book on jews and comic books he discovered that mad magazine had been using yiddish phrases for years. The comic book is back, in luxe coffeetable form the new. She added, every comics reader demographic survey weve ever seen has 510% female readership. The first issue of a longrunning comic book series is commonly the rarest and most desirable to collectors.
Young women are the fastest growing demographic according to. If the movie industry knew anything, its old men would reinvent minority marketing tue 29 jul 2014 07. Africanamerican and 8% asian and the comic shop demographic is. Comments about diversity in superhero comics made last week by a marvel. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the distribution of comic books went through a major fluctuation, as newsstands and spinner racks gave way to individual storefronts. Japanese manga is usually serialized in anthology magazines before being collected into book format. Sep 04, 2010 new providence, nj august 24, 2010 bowker released its muchanticipated 2009 u. Whereas cartoonists work is short form, either a single panel with a caption or.
Just a few years ago, san diego comic con was the only con that attracted more than 100,00 attendees. Yesterday was dc comics stats, and tomorrow will be indiesmall press comics. The decline of comic book stores has been precipitous. Were a business made up of innovators and forwardthinkers, with the drive and wherewithal to constantly update and improve the online shopping experience. New eventbrite survey reveals convention demographics. Oct 25, 2017 on top of that, icv2 recently released consumer demographics data in the aftermath of new york comic con, and the numbers revealed that latinos accounted for 12% of the comic and graphic novelbuying public again, the biggest minority group.
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