John Jackson Miller’s 2009 Snapshot



For some reason I've completely spaced on posting a link to this article: comics numbers guru John Jackson Miller's attempt to take on the year 2009 in comics sales in one shot. He has since re-contextualized that article in terms of Diamond releasing more information, but I think that first link will do for most folks. I hope you'll read it in full and my reprinting his information instead of just talking about it would be unfair.

Basically, though, Miller sees an overall market drop of about two percent, which translates into approximately $10 million dollar lost. This would make the first drop since 2000 when the comics market began to rally after a long period of distributor wars, shop contraction from unreasonable highs, bankruptcy and general shooting of feet. But given the recession, it's not a bad drop at all.

Miller points out that the adjusted for inflation in median price the news is slightly worse. The flirtation with $4 comic meant prices went up and the market probably hasn't seen the fall out and order adjustments resulting from that price increase so they could be in a grace period right now regarding that move. I would suggest that a continuation of dismal unemployment figures and the exact nature of any economic upswing to be enjoyed in 2010, if one is to be enjoyed, will also likely have a significant impact on sales trends. One thing to remember is that on a region-to-region basis the DM is fragile in ways that other markets may not be. If a store is shuttered, it may be the only store in the region serving comics fans. This can make for a greater overall loss than, say, the shuttering of a local fast-food joint where the market has 17 such restaurants ready to pick up the remainder of that business, or even a bookstore or video store where a great percentage of fans served by such places have begun to opt for -- and become comfortable with -- on-line delivery options.
 
posted 9:00 am PST | Permalink
 

---

 
Daily Blog Archives
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
 
Full Archives