Research: Bleeding cool - 25% less spent on comics in August 2017 than in 2016 by Rich Johnston

I found a really informative article that gave the actual figures for comic distribution currently. This is an incredibly useful resource. Here’s what I gathered from the site:

• Sales figures were released by Diamond Distribution, I’ll do a little digging on how big a role they play in the industry
• The figures address that of the North American market, where they make most of their sales
• “25% less spent on comics in August 2017 than in 2016 as direct market sales fall off a cliff”
• “Things are getting worse, not better”
• In Britain, consumer sales were down a fifth as of April 2017

It’s fair to say that things aren’t looking too great here. But there are some interesting things to consider too. Whilst the figures are dropping for the big two (marvel and DC), something that would distress superhero comic fans, other companies are showing the slightest of increase. Regardless, the industry makes most of its money from the big two, if they go, so do the stores. The increase for the other companies and indie comics possibly shows that interests are switching, something I felt was happening when I noted the quote from ‘Pictures And Words’.