In 1993, Capital City Distribution was the second-largest Direct Market comic distributor, with a market share in the low to mid-thirties (percent). The year was a peak in the Direct Market to that point, and for a long time to come. Interest in comics as collectibles was surging, and Marvel Comics and DC Comics, as well as newcomers like Image Comics and Valiant Comics, were pumping out comics to meet the demand. DC's "Death of Superman" storyline had been a huge success late the previous year, and the entire industry was riding a massive wave of higher sales, even as signs of underlying problems were beginning to be seen. In that environment, Capital City invited its suppliers and retailers to its annual gathering in early May.
Capital City’s Sales Conference that year (May 2-5) was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the MECCA (Milwaukee Exposition, Convention Center and Arena), with the biggest attendance to date for the event. We share here a gallery to show the people and vibe of the time, from photos taken by the photographer hired to record the event, and by Capital employees.
This article is part of ICv2's Comics Direct Market 50th Anniversary celebration; for more, see "Comics Direct Market 50th Anniversary."
Click Gallery below!

A Peak Year in the Comics Direct Market
Posted by Milton Griepp on December 29, 2023 @ 2:47 am CT

MORE COMICS
Shop Talk, May 2025
May 31, 2025
All this and more in Shop Talk, our roundup of comic and game store news.
With Work by Kazu Kibuishi, Becky Cloonan, Vera Brosgol, More
May 31, 2025
The anthology showcases work by a number of creators, including editor Kazu Kibuishi, Vera Brosgol, Becky Cloonan, and others.
MORE NEWS
New Pirates League Store Qualifier Events Update
May 30, 2025
Bandai has announced that they've updated their Pirates League Store Qualitfier events for One Piece CG .
New Trick-Taking Game from CrowD Games and Korea Boardgames
May 30, 2025
CrowD Games will release Stella Quest , a new trick-taking game by Korea Boardgames, into retail.