Re: DC Comics announces $2.99 price point for all 32-page comics in 20
Monthlies are still important, way too important to abandon at this stage. While the market for trades has grown exponentially, the current business model relies on maintaining at least a core niche readership and the habitual hobbyist aspect that monthlies keep nourished is vital in that regard. Marvel is especially dependent on keeping monthlies going as the direct market is where they have market dominance, while DC has far greater success in TPB sales via online and brick and mortar book stores thanks to their more varied output.
Edit to add: there was a presentation on digital comics at New York Comic Con that passed along interesting sales information compiled by ICv2. In 2009 print comics (periodicals and graphic novels) generated revenue of $680 million in North America. Graphic novels accounted for $370 million and periodicals accounted for $310 million. Graphic novels, which had been a fast-growing segment, declined somewhat in 2009 and are set for a 20% decline in 2010 (graphic novel sales are set to decline by 30% in book stores and by 9% in comic shops). Manga sales have been dropping sharply in North America for the last three years. Sales are down 20% so far this year and have dropped by 50% over the last three years. Sales of periodical comics went down 3% in 2009 and have so far ticked up 1% this year. Sales of digital comics in 2009 were estimated at $500,000 to $1 million. It's projected that digital sales this year will be $6-8 million.
Monthlies are still important, way too important to abandon at this stage. While the market for trades has grown exponentially, the current business model relies on maintaining at least a core niche readership and the habitual hobbyist aspect that monthlies keep nourished is vital in that regard. Marvel is especially dependent on keeping monthlies going as the direct market is where they have market dominance, while DC has far greater success in TPB sales via online and brick and mortar book stores thanks to their more varied output.
Edit to add: there was a presentation on digital comics at New York Comic Con that passed along interesting sales information compiled by ICv2. In 2009 print comics (periodicals and graphic novels) generated revenue of $680 million in North America. Graphic novels accounted for $370 million and periodicals accounted for $310 million. Graphic novels, which had been a fast-growing segment, declined somewhat in 2009 and are set for a 20% decline in 2010 (graphic novel sales are set to decline by 30% in book stores and by 9% in comic shops). Manga sales have been dropping sharply in North America for the last three years. Sales are down 20% so far this year and have dropped by 50% over the last three years. Sales of periodical comics went down 3% in 2009 and have so far ticked up 1% this year. Sales of digital comics in 2009 were estimated at $500,000 to $1 million. It's projected that digital sales this year will be $6-8 million.
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