Overview of the U.S. Comic Book and Graphic Novel Market 2008-2009

Abstract

The graphic novel market in North America, once a niche publishing segment, is rapidly growing. According to retail analysis site ICv2, sales of graphic novels in the U.S. and Canada rose from $75 million in 2001 to $375 million in 2007. The format has even breached such established segments as school textbooks, where graphic novels are being used to teach children about difficult topics.

Until the last few years, the graphic novel segment has been a market largely untapped by the traditional book industry. However, a growing number of publishers and retailers are realizing that this booming and diverse niche offers a significant opportunity for them.

Overview of the U.S. Comic Book and Graphic Novel Market 2008-2009 offers publishers and retailers a guide to this market, with in-depth exploration of each of its unique sub-segments: graphic novels, manga and comic books. This report also contains Simba' s trademark bestseller data that tracks the growth of graphic novels over the last five years.

Companies looking to enter or expand in this market will need a deep understanding of the range of graphic novel buying habits and a detailed analysis of the competitive landscape to be successful. This report is designed to help publishers and retailers alike understand the challenges and spot the opportunities present in this misunderstood market.

• Publishers of any size considering entering the market who want to know more about the present opportunities and challenges in this hot segment
• Larger publishers who have begun to penetrate the graphic novel market but need a better sense of consumer purchasing trends and an accurate growth outlook for the next several years
• Retailers who are serving the graphic novel market today - or who are evaluating whether they should enter the market - but who need greater insight into how to properly manage a graphic novel section
• And more

• Comprehensive profiles on eight leading publishers that include publishing summaries, sales and revenue estimates, and projections for 2009. Profiled companies include Dark Horse Comics, DC Comics, IDW Publishing, Image Comics, Marvel Comics, Random House, Tokyopop and Viz Media.
• Estimated sales for all three segments - graphic novels, manga, and comic books - that include bestselling volumes, series, and more
• Recommendations to publishers and retailers on how to capitalize on the expanding graphic novel and manga industry

Overview of the U.S. Comic Book and Graphic Novel Market 2008-2009 is a vital market intelligence tool for publishers, marketers, retailers and distributors charged with developing strategies to succeed in the rapidly growing U.S. comic book and graphic novel market.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• The Markets
  • The Direct Market
  • The Mass Market
• Graphic Novels
  • Bestselling Graphic Novels
  • Bestselling True Graphic Novels
  • Bestselling Compilations
  • Graphic Novel Trends
• Manga
  • Bestselling Manga
  • Bestselling Volumes
  • Bestselling Series
  • Manga Trends
• Comic Books
  • Bestselling Comic Books
  • Bestselling Issues
  • Bestselling Ongoing Series
  • Bestselling Limited Series
  • Bestselling Stand-Alone Issues
  • Comic Book Trends
• Obstacles
  • Superheroes
  • Distribution
  • Misidentification
  • Other Media
  • New Readers
  • Online Serialization
• Forecasts & Conclusions
  • Comic Books
  • Graphic Novels
  • Manga
  • Recommendations

TABLES:

• Table 1: Top 10 Trade Book Categories by Consolidated Ranking, 2003-2007
• Table 2: Top Graphic Novel Publishers in the Direct Market, July 2007-June 2008
• Table 3: Top 10 Bestselling True Graphic Novels in the Direct Market, July 2007-June 2008
• Table 4: Top 20 Bestselling Compilations in the Direct Market, July 2007-June 2008
• Table 5: Graphic Novel Sales in the Direct Market, July 2007-June 2008
• Table 6: Top Manga Publishers in the Direct Market, July 2007-June 2008
• Table 7: Top 20 Bestselling Manga in the Mass Market, July 2007-June 2008
• Table 8: Top 20 Bestselling Manga Volumes in the Direct Market, July 2007-June 2008
• Table 9: Top 20 Bestselling Manga Series in the Direct Market, July 2007-June 2008
• Table 10: Manga Sales in the Direct Market, July 2007-June 2008
• Table 11: Top Comic Book Publishers in the Direct Market, July 2007-June 2008
• Table 12: Top 20 Bestselling Comic Issues in the Direct Market, July 2007-June 2008
• Table 13: Top 20 Bestselling Ongoing Comic Series in the Direct Market, July 2007-June 2008
• Table 14: Top 10 Bestselling Comic Limited Series in the Direct Market, July 2007-June 2008
• Table 15: Top 10 Bestselling Comic Stand-Alone Issues/One-Shots in the Direct Market, July 2007-June 2008
• Table 16: Comic Book Sales in the Direct Market, July 2007-June 2008
• Table 17: U.S. Consumer Comic Book, Graphic Novel and Manga Unit Sales in the Direct Market, July 2007-June 2008

Profiles of Leading Publishers

• Dark Horse Comics
• DC Comics
• IDW Publishing
• Image Comics
• Marvel Comics
• Random House
• Tokyopop
• Viz Media