CrossGen Comics has launched two new imprints to publish comics that are not part of the CrossGen universe.

Comic and graphic novel orders (dollars) were up 5% in July vs. 2001, continuing the trend that began in the second half of last year. July orders were up 1% over June, with almost all the gains coming from comics,

Marvel is stirring the pot again -- this time with a five-issue mini-series by Robert Morales and Kyle Baker that functions like a 'prequel' to the long-running Simon/Kirby Captain America saga.

Thanks to trends in its collectibles business, the folks at the Bookery Fantasy shop anticipated the current retro trend by at least 18 months, and is currently capitalizing on it with a variety of special displays.

Initial piece orders from comic stores on the top comic titles in July were buoyed by the addition of two first issues that both sold well over 100,000 copies, Transformers Armada #1 and Battle of the Planets #1, at the number one and number three positions respectively.

Diamond Comic Distributors announced today the formation of a new division, Diamond Book Distributors, the goal of which will be to make a wide selection of graphic novels, anime, gaming, collectible toys, and other pop-culture merchandise available to the mainstream retail book market.

WizKids, the folks who invented the Collectible Miniatures Game (CMG), have collaborated with Idea & Design Works (IDW) to create a five-issue comic mini-series based on the Mage Knight universe.

Estimated quantities for initial orders on comics shipping in July 2002 from pop culture stores ordering from Diamond US.

Estimated quantities for initial orders on comics shipping in July 2002 from pop culture stores ordering from Diamond US.

Yu-Gi-Oh is a hot topic with retailers because they can see that this CCG could be a top seller in the hobby if only enough product were available. Gail Burt of Metropolis Comics contrasts M:TG with Pokemon and has some advice for Upper Deck if they want to make Yu-Gi-Oh a perennial seller.