An ICV2 Release.  The biggest external driver of print comic sales since anime streaming is now the digital comics space, with vertical scroll comics (i.e., webtoons) leading the way.  With millions of new readers attracted to comics for the first time and a two-way relationship between print and vertical, ICv2 is hosting "The Future of Comics Is Vertical" at the ICv2 Insider Talks: The Next Comics Revolution at New York Comic Con.

The ICv2 Insider Talks: The Next Comics Revolution, and Comic Industry Social Hour, will kick off with the Comic Industry Social Hour at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, October 17, in the dramatic 4th Floor Pavilion at the Javits Center, in association with New York Comic Con.  The Insider Talks, which will run 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., will include four powerful sessions in a quick-moving format, each focusing on the trends that are leading toward the next revolution in the comics business.

In "The Future of Comics Is Vertical" session, Eisner-nominated ICv2 columnist Rob Salkowitz leads the discussion with top execs from WEBTOON U.S. (Head David S. Lee) and GlobalComix (CEO Christopher Carter), two leaders in the webtoon space, on the popularity of vertical scroll, what readers it's bringing to the medium, the two-way relationship between print and vertical, and what it all means for the future of the business.

The Future of Comics Is Vertical (4:00-4:30 p.m.) features the following key insiders:

Christopher Carter is a visionary leader with extensive experience in the gaming and tech sectors.  At Activision Blizzard, he played a key role in managing one of the largest gaming communities.  At Shapeways, he drove the growth of creator tools and marketplace innovation.  Now, as CEO of GlobalComix, he built the platform from the ground up, prioritizing creators and the broader comic ecosystem to foster growth and opportunity across the industry.


David S. Lee is Head of WEBTOON's U.S. operation, managing the company's U.S. content teams, along with key partnerships and content collaborations with DC Comics, Marvel Entertainment, and Archie Comics.  David Lee joined WEBTOON in 2014 as a Content Manager; he was one of the company's first hires for its US operations.  Under David Lee's leadership, WEBTOON has established one of the most diverse and exciting IP catalogs in the comics industry.


Rob Salkowitz is an Eisner Award-nominated writer about the business of comics, entertainment and pop culture for Forbes, ICv2, Publishers Weekly, Wired and other publications.  He's the author of five books including Comic-Con and the Business of Pop Culture and teaches in the graduate school of communication at the University of Washington in Seattle.

If you are a business or creative professional, have a New York Comic Con badge in one of the pro categories, 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.

For more information, click here.

The support of these companies makes this event possible:

Co-Sponsor: GlobalComix
GlobalComix is a comics platform for the modern era, dedicated to reshaping the landscape of graphic fiction creation, distribution, and consumption on a global scale.  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.  GlobalComix empowers creators with the tools they need to reach new audiences, monetize their work, and engage with fans in novel ways.  For readers, GlobalComix offers a diverse, immersive, and engaging reading experience that spans genres and geographies.

Supporting Sponsor: Diamond Comic Distributors
With over 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.

About ICv2
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, ICv2.com, in its magazine, Internal Correspondence Annual, and with events like these.  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.  ICv2 is the #1 source of news and information for the thought leaders at the forefront of change.