T.C. Ford publisher of United Comics read Steve Bennett’s latest column (see “Confessions of a Comic Book Guy--It Was Fun While It Lasted”) and doesn’t think independent comics are quite dead yet:
I don't think Diamond's new thresholds for publishers will kill independent comics.
Sure, as a small publisher, I fear for the future of the market as it exists. But Diamond is NOT the bad guy here. They are initiating a procedure designed to keep their business operating. They simply have gotten too big to handle every publisher in the market. No publisher that runs his company like a business can say that they didn't see this coming as an inevitability.
How to solve the issue? I can't say I have the problem licked, but I DO have ideas:
1) The late Carol Kalish of Marvel Comics used to say about being successful in business, "Find a need, and fill it." Small comics publishers need to take this time to be proactive and create or cultivate new distribution opportunities in addition to Diamond. Haven Distribution, created from the sale of Cold Cut, is an opportunity. There will be more. Retailers need to support these new distribution efforts, as they used to before Diamond became the 800 lb. gorilla. Yes, I'm sure it's convenient to use just one source to get your material, but that limits you only to product that company supplies.
2) Inverse Media's Michael Murphey's plans for Total Digital Distribution sounds fantastic! Digital comics fans can be converted into retail store sales if they know the comics they enjoy can be purchased in hard copy at their local comics shop. Before you say, "Why should they come to my store, if they already have the comic downloaded on their computer hard drive?," I will remind you that lots of fans are collector driven, and you can't enjoy your favorite creator's autograph on a hard drive nearly as much as a physical comic book or graphic novel.
3) There should be an Independent Comics Day, similar to Free Comic Book Day, in shops nationwide. It could be six months away from FCBD (so as not to dilute the impact of that day), and would focus on the diverse nature of the small press. How do you market it? Use the films and TV shows inspired by or developed from small press comics to draw people in. The Tick. TMNT. The Middleman. The small press conventions do brisk business, and I believe with a serious focus on the best of the smaller companies, sales can increase.
Changing the status quo, in my opinion, is the only way to grow this market.
The opinions expressed in this Talk Back article are solely those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff of ICv2.com.
