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The Black Friday Chat-Stravaganza
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AvatarDavid Harper
12:50
No longer, one just hit!
So, I'm not going to answer this questions because The SKTCHD AWRDS are coming soon, and that would mean spoilers.
12:51
But I will say this. I've seen a narrative starting to form around the idea of "comics aren't good right now" being the reason why comics aren't selling. I even saw someone like Milton Griepp talking about that, specifically in relation to Marvel and DC.
I don't know how any reasonable person can assert that.
2023 has been a dynamite year in comics.
There have been a lot of flaws and we're lacking the incendiary single-issue titles that some years have.
12:52
But comics are still awesome, and 2023 has been a great year. My run up to The SKTCHD AWRDS has revealed just that.
Mark Tweedale
12:52
"Comics aren't good right now"? Seriously? Someone said that with a straight face?
AvatarDavid Harper
12:52
The quality conversation has been starting, Mark! It's driving me question!
12:53
Again, a lot of it centers on direct market/Big Two stuff, but it's still hard to say there aren't good comics right now. And the point is that comics aren't selling, so how are readers making merit statements about whether comics they aren't buying are good or not anyways?!?!
12:54
What is this, the conversation around The Marvels?!?!?!
Charlie S
12:54
You've been doing some great interviews with retailers about the state of the DM.  If you had a crystal ball and could look 5 years into the future what 3 predictions would you make about it. (Assuming the apocalypse of comics hasn't actually occurred)
AvatarDavid Harper
12:54
This is a great question!
12:55
I'm not sure I'm counting this, but one is that we're going to see some more notable retirements and/or shop closures related to reaching that age, and it won't be because the apocalypse has happened. It's because a lot of these retailers have been at it for 30+ years and it's just time.
12:57
Connected to that, I think a different generation of retailer will become vocal leadership and things will be better for it. You're seeing it already with people like Jenn Haines and Katie Pryde doing good things at ComicsPRO and Steve Anderson being the man, but as this transition happens, I think shops can and will evolve.
12:58
Another prediction is that the single issue will continue to dip in its impact, but it will be deployed in a smarter way that isn't so craven in its approach. I think this time will scare some straight and result in smarter, more innovative approaches.
12:59
Lastly, I think...30% of direct market publishers won't be here in five years and the market will probably be better off for it. There's just not enough interest to sustain some of the publishers after the 2021/2022 flurry, and I think a reduction could result in better performance for everyone, as paradoxical as that may sound.
I know it's not aimed at the direct market, but I also think products like DC's Compact Comics are a great step to a better future.
Same with Invincible's digest editions. More smart, affordable products!
Mark Tweedale
1:00
By the way, I've really been enjoying your series of interviews with James Tynion IV. It's a highlight of each month. Is this the sort of thing you might consider doing with another creator next year or was this more of an "only this once" kind of project?
AvatarDavid Harper
1:00
This is a good question!
I'm not sure.
1:01
This might not have come across in the work but it's been a challenging process. Continuously coming up with new interview focuses has been difficult, especially because these topics bleed over on one another constantly.
Plus, James approached me, and it's a lot easier to get buy in when the creator themselves pitched it.
But I am interested in doing something like this, but maybe I'll try and come up with a variant of it. I'm not sure what that looks like.
Charlie S
1:01
Totally agree that the publisher reduction would help the DM
AvatarDavid Harper
1:02
Some people take it as a morbid thought but it's true! The only bummer is that reduces opportunities for creators, but a lot of them are straight up bad opportunities, so maybe that's a win too.
David Kelley
1:02
When are you going to have a live call in show? Also come to Seattle.
AvatarDavid Harper
1:02
If only I had tech expert on my side who knows how to make something like that happen.
1:03
I think a call in show would be fun. Help me figure it out David and we can make it happen!
1:04
Coming to Seattle is a maybe, if only for ECCC this year. I'm not sure if I want to do another con so close on the heels of NYCC, and I'm turning 40 in January and my big goal is to fly down for Blazers/Pacers in Portland and to spend all my remaining money on courtside tickets as a celebration.
But if I do come, you know I'll be reaching out to you to make some magic happen!
Okay, that's it everyone. The queue is empty, and we've reached an hour, so it's the best of both worlds.
1:05
Thanks to everyone for the great questions, and I'll be putting this up on SKTCHD/Off Panel's Patreon next week.
Happy Black Friday to all the Americans out there, and...uhh...happy regular Friday to the rest of you!
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