This three-hour event is annually a great opportunity to meet, mingle, and network with other leaders of the comics and graphic novel industry. It will kick off with the Comic Industry Social Hour, co-hosted with ComicsPro, at 2:30 p.m. The Insider Talks, which will run 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., will include three powerful sessions in a quick-moving format.
"This is the 50th anniversary of the comics Direct Market (see "Direct Market 50th Anniversary"), and 2023 is a period of change unlike any we’ve seen in decades," ICv2 CEO Milton Griepp said in announcing the event. "I think we all want to understand what those changes mean for comic stores, where modern geek culture was birthed and nurtured, and the passionate customers they serve. At this important milestone, we’re bringing together industry thought leaders to help us understand the past, present and future of this unique phenomenon."
The event is open to business and creative attendees of New York Comic Con:
- Publishers
- Retailers
- Distributors
- Digital executives
- Writers and artists
- Librarians and educators
- Producers, agents, and managers
- Licensees, licensors, and marketers
- Press
If you are a business or creative professional and would like a free ticket to the event, email Conferences@ICv2.com.
If you are press and would like to cover the event, email Conferences@ICv2.com.
Here are the details:
Comic Industry Social Hour, Co-Hosted with ComicsPro (2:30-3:30 p.m.)
Meet, mingle, and network with other leaders of the comics and graphic novel industry.
ICv2 White Paper: State of the Market at 50 (3:30-4:00 p.m.)
ICv2 CEO Milton Griepp will present the ICv2 White Paper, with the charts and graphs that show the state of the comics and graphic novel market in all its channels as the Direct Market enters its second half-century.
How We Got Here: Building the Comic Store Channel (4:00-4:45 p.m.)
Comic stores were a revolutionary change in the way comics were sold, and our three panelists played important roles in the growth and success of the Direct Market: Paul Levitz at DC Comics, Jim Shooter at Marvel Comics, Valiant Entertainment, and others, and Milton Griepp as a distributor. The three get together to discuss the key inflection points in the growth of the Direct Market, and their lessons for today.
The Future of the Direct Market: Where Do We Go from Here? (4:45-5:30 p.m.)
The ways that people find and read comics are broader than they’ve been in decades, with bookstores, online merchants, digital downloads, and webtoons all playing a role in developing the audience for the art form. What’s the role of the comic stores in the midst of all this opportunity, and what’s the best path forward for the growth of the medium and art form? We bring together a panel of leaders to discuss, with our resident futurist, Rob Salkowitz, moderating.
The support of these companies makes this event possible:
GlobalComix is a digital reading and distribution platform that helps publishers and creators share and sell their comics globally, and understand their readers better. Focused on providing tools to grow and succeed, GlobalComix is on a tireless mission to create the best platform in the world to publish, discover, and read comics.
Whatnot is the largest livestream shopping platform in the U.S., connecting buyers and sellers in real-time across any category – from trading cards to comics and more. Founded by collectors, Whatnot is setting a new standard for buying and selling by creating a trusted space for communities to connect, grow, and flourish – giving buyers the confidence to purchase while also helping sellers both big and small build businesses off of their passions.
Mad Cave Studios, established in 2014, is an independent publisher committed to providing worldwide entertainment across an array of genres. Mad Cave's catalog includes a captivating blend of licensed, creator-owned, and original works, masterfully created by a diverse cast of storytellers focused on cultivating impactful character-driven narratives. Mad Cave Studios is the parent company to Maverick and Papercutz, enriching the literary landscape for readers of all ages.
Celebrating 40 years of service, Diamond Comic Distributors is a leader in the worldwide distribution of comics, games, toys, collectibles and preservation supplies. With an unparalleled distribution network, Diamond’s mission is to support and serve our customers and partners with all their pop culture needs. Diamond is part of Geppi Family Enterprises, the largest producers and distributors of English-language comics, toys, collectibles, games, and preservation supplies worldwide.
ICv2 is the #1 industry source on the business of geek culture, including comics and graphic novels, manga, hobby games, and merch, on its Website, www.ICv2.com, and in its magazine, Internal Correspondence. For the people on the front lines of the geek culture business, staying ahead of the trends isn't something that can be left to chance - it's a basic necessity for being successful. That's why ICv2 is the #1 source of news and information for the buyers, gatekeepers, and tastemakers on the front lines. ICv2 is where trend-watching is a science.
