DC to Stop "Writing for Trade"

That's the term given to the practice of writing long story arcs so they can be repackaged and sold as graphic novels, more specifically the trade paperback kind of GN. ICV2 reports that DC blames the phenomenon for slowing sales of pamphlet comics.

OK, but if you're gaining sales in GN formatted comics, what's the problem?

Read what DC bigwigs think by clicking the link embedded in this post's title.

I wonder if this move will affect graphic novels sales in a significant way. My initial thought is "probably not," since we all know pamphlet comics are not exactly a growth market, and GN's were chugging right along for a while there, though they've slowed too, and we do live in a "What have you done for me lately?" world.

ICV2 Looks at the Current State of Kids' Comics

Good Article on Manga's Decline in the States

_Kick-Ass_ Tops Adult GN Sales Charts

The graphic novel version of Kick-Ass is riding high on the sales charts following the release of the movie, selling well over 100,000 copies now. I finally bought a copy of the GN and have to admit to liking the movie treatment better.

This sales ranking is good news because it offers some evidence that graphic novels sales might experience a mini "Watchmen bump" that might help the industry have a productive quarter again.

I'm also very frustrated that folks keep comparing Kick-Ass's box office take and sales-driving abilities with that of Watchmen. As a film, Kick-Ass is probably a better piece than Watchmen, which I think has aged well and may eventually be considered a better film than critics originally labeled it, but as comics, Kick-Ass is nowhere near as important or as good a text as Watchmen. So, the comparisons -- just because both take on the "What if supers were real" aspect and have an indy feel to them -- are bogus and unfair.

Watchmen: one of the most important books of the 20th century. Kick-Ass? Fun fanboy candy with an introduction by Rob Leifeld.

Comics White Paper Reveals Stats

Milton Griepp has released his "status of the industry" white paper. According to his figures, graphic novels sales no longer account for the sole area of publishing seeing gains. In fact, sales have declined 6% for 2009.

Now, with past years' showing growth of 12 and 15% , that's not necessarily a sign that graphic novels are a "fading trend." After all, we are in a national recession. Though, GN sales did decline more than general book sales, which fell 3%. Again, though, no need to sound any alarms. Watchmen sales have dropped off since they hit a high point (even becoming Amazon's #1 seller for a while) along with the release of the movie, so the declining numbers are a bit skewed.

Further, there are signs that point to good numbers in future quarters/years, such as the Twilight graphic novel and possibilities that Kick-Ass movie-goers might spur sales of the graphic novel version of that title.

One very interesting tidbit to come from the report: "sales of of Kids and YA-related graphic novels were up over 50%....." Looks like publishers' efforts to hit that k-12 market hard now that so many of us are talking about comics and education are paying off.

ICV2 Reveals Top Ten Kids Graphic Novel Properties for 2009

Neat list. Glad to see Bone making the top 10. If you want to visit the main site, they also have a list of top 10 super-hero properties for 2009.

Must-Read Interview With Paul Levitz on Future of GN's