Is the Comic Book Industry Thriving or Dying?

The comic book industry is experiencing a significant resurgence, with various segments showing impressive growth figures. Despite challenges faced by publishers like Marvel and DC, the overall market is thriving, particularly in the indie and graphic novel sectors.

Thriving Independent Scenes

Independent publishers are taking the spotlight with robust growth in the last year. The indie scene is stronger than ever, with some indie titles outperforming major publishers like Marvel and DC. In 2021, NPD bookscan data showed a 300 percent increase in sales, highlighting the industry's robust growth. This trend is not just confined to graphic novels; indie comics in the flop sweat (floppies) market also saw a 14 percent increase in 2021.

Dominance in Specific Segments

One particular graphic novel, regardless of its title, outsold Marvel, DC, and Image combined. This single title's success highlights the shift in market demand towards children's and teen books, an area where Marvel and DC have largely failed to provide meaningful content. Children's books continue to outsell Western comic sales combined, underscoring the stark contrast in market focus.

Market Trends and Growth

With variants and numerous #1 issues driving much of the growth, the industry shows no signs of slowing down. In the floppies market, there was a 120 percent increase in sales for indie comics. However, variants and #1 issues play a critical role in driving this growth. Removing these factors, the industry is still seeing losses, particularly in the big two's publications.

Chaotic Fandoms and Industry Challenges

While the industry is thriving overall, it faces unique challenges, particularly in the form of splintered and divisive fandoms. Fans of Marvel and DC are often angry at extreme retcons like the New 52, Captain America: Hydra Agent, and One More Day for Spider-Man. Additionally, there are pockets of fans who label any comic or character not populated by cisgender white men as 'woke' and engage in boycotts with the intent of harming the intellectual properties involved.

Moreover, both Marvel and DC have a 'don't call us, we'll call you' policy when it comes to writers, indicating a higher emphasis on financial viability and external success before considering new talent. This shift reflects a broader industry trend towards corporate efficiency and less willingness to take risks on raw talent.

Evolution of the Comic Book Industry

Despite these challenges, the comic book industry is far from failing. Independent publishers like Dark Horse are thriving, with properties like strongThe Boys/strong and emInvincible/em achieving streaming success. Manga, once considered lowbrow and sexist, is now more accepted than ever, with a diverse readership including women and non-binary individuals.

The industry's success is also tied to its ability to evolve with societal changes. Characters and stories that were once ahead of their time, such as Superman as an immigrant, the X-Men as a metaphor for racism, and Captain America as a critic of fascism, continue to resonate with modern audiences. In many ways, comics have always been 'woke' before the term became popular.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the comic book industry is experiencing significant growth and evolution, it is facing new challenges, particularly in the form of a split and sometimes hostile fandom. However, these challenges are balanced by the industry's ability to adapt and thrive through new forms of storytelling and increased market acceptance.

For Further Reading

To learn more about the metrics and supporting details, you can refer to sources like Comichrope, Comicbeat, and ICV2. Additionally, for more in-depth analysis, you might want to check the latest reports from Lunar and Penguins.