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The SKTCHD and Off Panel End of 2022 Chat-stravaganza
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AvatarDavid Harper
10:26
The other is if you're a fairly new reader, it's all new to you! These platforms could keep you neck deep in comics for the rest of your life even if Marvel and DC never released another comic! It's like streaming services for video, where new material is at least in part an advertisement to potential new customers.
10:27
I could see them becoming a bigger part of the mix for both, but to do that, they a) will need to start marketing them way better, and b) they'll have to make some hard decisions about their product mix in the future.
I still haven't converted heavily in that direction, but I could see it happening!
Danica LeBlanc
10:27
Re: Twitter. I'm still getting used to the fact they switched the reply and retweet buttons. My muscle memory gets confused.
Alex Chung
10:27
Oh I completely screw up the Twitter interface all the time. It's shocking how I'm used to where a virtual button is placed on my phone.

I don't know if that's a good sign?
AvatarDavid Harper
10:27
I'm not alone!
Brandon Schatz
10:28
Definitely not smarter, but I do live and breathe comics retail to a (probably) unhealthy degree. sweat_smile
AvatarDavid Harper
10:28
Don't listen to Brandon. Subscribe to his Substack for many smart things being written about comics retail in the future! https://theindirectmarket.substack.com/
He's way smarter!
Mike Lanuzo
10:28
Have you read Nice House 12 yet? If so do you think it stuck the landing?
AvatarDavid Harper
10:29
I have not! I was out of town so I have not bought comics yet. But I am excited!
Scott
10:29
Which publishers are in the best place to succeed in 2023? Which are not?
AvatarDavid Harper
10:29
The not: Those that aren't paying people or are actively filing for bankruptcy!
10:30
Let's just say, I don't have a lot of faith in Aftershock these days.
A reckoning is coming for the publishers with little game plan besides "let's make comics that we'll sell to become movies and shows."
10:31
Best place to succeed: Besides Viz, because Viz = $$$, and the others at the top, I actually think DC is unusually well positioned going into the year. They have a big initiative, they're doing interesting things with their varying lines, they're playing all the markets. They should be in a good position.
10:32
I don't love their intense reliance on variants. But they seem to be making it work?
10:33
Honestly, though...and I'm going to write about this later, I have some uneasy feelings about 2023 in comics. I think it's going to be a transitional year.
Phil
10:33
I've found I have a high standard for comic book stores, and I now live in a place where none of them meet that standard. Am I the problem for shifting to DCBS?
AvatarDavid Harper
10:33
First off, Brandon, please don't yell at me.

Second off, no you are not the problem.
10:34
Read comics how you want. If that's through a comic shop or digital or through DCBS or whatever, that's fair. Pirating is something I'd bristle at. But if you're spending your money on comics, do it your way. Trades or single issues, digital or print, DCBS or comic shops, back issues or new comics, whatever.
Do you, and lean into the way you like to enjoy comics.
Danica LeBlanc
10:35
Can confirm. Everything I know about the comics industry, and how to run a comic shop, is from Brandon. I'm his business partner, and I know what I bring to the mix, but absolutely could not have done it without his experience and knowledge.
AvatarDavid Harper
10:35
Danica is also very smart! Shop at Variant Edition!
Brandon Schatz
10:35
"I had someone working at a top publisher tell me that what's hot on Twitter has rarely been what sells." This is generally true in terms of the direct market. The books that sell the best are going to have pretty loud detractors. The most recent example I can think of is the rise of Tom King. Went from universal praise on smaller, struggling projects, to this louder mix on his current ones. Mister Miracle was essentially the tipping point - after that, more people were reading his books.
AvatarDavid Harper
10:36
There's two sides to this equation. One is that, wow, it was wild how quickly Tom became polarizing. The other is that if you're at a point as a comic creator that you've developed a genuine backlash to your work, you're probably doing pretty well! (Just don't check your mentions)
Alex Chung
10:36
DC has had some fun variants in the last couple of months. Like those 90's foil embossed ones are insanely good.
AvatarDavid Harper
10:36
This is true! I am a sucker for those.
Rich Wojcicki
10:37
Loving this chat. Which brings me to a question: you read my book yet? That’s right I’m callin you out! 🤣🤣. J/k, I know ya busy (thank god because the pod is a wealth of comic insight). Real question: any previews on stuff we can look forward to from the pod in 2023?
AvatarDavid Harper
10:38
Glad you're digging it! I have not, because I am the world's greatest monster. As for the podcast, I don't have tooooo far planned out, because it's hard to go too far, but up first is Liana Kangas, then I plan to have Susana Polo on for our annual chat about five themes for 2023, and then retailer Patrick Brower returns for his annual look at the year in comics retail.
The only other plan is I am going to put all my energy in to finally booking Jim Lee for Episode #400, which is coming soon. Time to email DC Publicity, I guess...
Elliot Metz
10:38
Agree or disagree: I'd love to see more imprints from the Big 2. Loved Hill House Comics, Wonder Comics had some interesting stuff - and obviously Black Label is huge for DC. And I've always wondered why Marvel didn't keep doing What If minis after Spider's Shadow. That book was GREAT - and doing a 5-issue mini of a "What If" is a nice change from the one-shots.
AvatarDavid Harper
10:39
Agreed!
10:40
Big agree, really. I love the imprints, and I thought they brought some fun flavors to DC's line. Marvel plays it way too safe for that kind of thing for the most part, but at least we're getting something like Doctor Strange: Fall Sunrise. I know What If? was meant to be something they did more of, but I'd wager it was a pandemic loss.
10:41
I will say: I enjoy that Dark Horse is getting back to imprints too! They have a heck of a lineup of creators, and the more power creators have to do interesting things, the better, at least in my book.
I'd rather see Daniel Warren Johnson given the freedom to wild out on Wonder Woman: Dead Earth or Beta Ray Bill than try and fit him into the box of monthly comics. That's what imprints allow.
Brandon Schatz
10:41
I would never yell at you, especially about DCBS. I'm happy with any way someone gets their content. Back when DC first went with DCBS/Lunar, and Midtown for distribution, I noted that they were already, according to those leaked Marvel numbers that came out around that time, the number 2 and 3 distributors of comics to folks due to their sheer volume. This industry DOES NOT FUNCTION without them.
AvatarDavid Harper
10:42
I support this message!
Elliot Metz
10:42
Where does the market stand heading into 2023 when it comes to the popularity of books for young readers? It seems like it's still a huge part of the overall market - and some of the biggest publishers are really missing out by ignoring that segment of potential customers.
AvatarDavid Harper
10:42
First off, Danica and Brandon, if you're still hanging around, I'd love to get your perspective on this.
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