Percy Carey: The Future Of The Comic Book Economy
[Each week, Complex columnist Percy Carey a.k.a. MF Grimm dives into the world of comic books with industry interviews, reviews and more. All MF Grimm music can be purchased on Itunes]
I was hanging out with my friend the Mayor of Los Angeles Anthony Villaraigosa (pictured above) the other day talking about the economic situation in L.A., and as we discussed how to implement incentives to encourage entrepreneurs (confidentially), we were pinpointing what industries would embrace it; although we compiled a nice list, it made me ask myself a question… I said, “What industry would resist it?” My answer: you guessed it, the comic book industry!
I thought about all of the comic book publishers who would rather go out of business than make some money. I’m not one to disrespect a few who decide to remain micropreneurs, but it feels like 90% of comic book publishers are afraid to allow their companies to grow, and refuse to think outside of their industry.
Most comic book companies also view ways to generate additional revenue as “selling out”. How long can they last just preaching to the choir? Especially when the choir is out for the intermission (nobody is listening) some companies are acting like we’re not in a digital age, and continuing to resist about digital comics. Comic book publishers get upset when high profiled celebrities create comic books, but want them to star in their favorite comic book movie or be on the soundtrack. I must admit some of you guys see the light and are now pushing the envelope to stay afloat don’t worry about your so called peers who laughing because you’re making the proper adjustment with your company. Remember what happen to those who laughed at Noah for building an ark; who’s laughing now?
Stay tuned for the first annual Percy Carey’s Comic Book Corner Power Player’s List. Percy’s Power Player List will be a compiled list of influential people in the comic book, film, television industries; but just to keep it fair I’m going to create two other lists, the second of which will be named “The House Award.” That will consist of companies that are in comas and are now on life support and no one knows what the fuck is wrong with them?
Like Doctor Gregory House, we will figure it out how to save them; but unlike the television show, it can go either way for these companies it just depends on how bad they want to stay alive. The House Award will be a solid gold asthma pump; and the third of the three is The SVU award (Special Victims Unit) for companies that were brutally murdered by their industry (you can be nominated through acts of stubbornness, stupidity, or for just being the sacrificial lamb). We will highlight what went wrong with these companies and hope it brings closure to their grieving families. The award will be a tombstone that states “We’re Closed”. I will give you an official date of the awards next week.
Last but not least I would like to thank Vertigo/DC Comics for including me in the 2009 Vertigo Encyclopedia. I have my own page (pg 162, pictured below). By the way everyone you can talk to me direct on Twitter @percycarey.
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Scott Koblish April 9, 2009 at 3:11 pm
If you and the mayor are handing out money to comics publishers, I live in L.A., publish comics and could use some no-strings cash…
Mike Parker April 9, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Percey, Hit me up when you get a chance
Mike Parker
Chris April 9, 2009 at 4:38 pm
I question with what business knowledge and authority of the comic book industry that Percy Carey is making such claims as the comic book industry would refuse economic incentives or that “it feels like 90% of comic book publishers are afraid to allow their companies to grow, and refuse to think outside of their industry”.
Tell that CrossGen which went spent millions and went bankrupt trying to create a digital distribution model. What about Marvel which is experimenting with a subscription model or DC Comics’ Zuda webcomics iniatives.
Please name another company besides Marvel or DC which has the financial capital to develop or experiment with developing digital distribution of their materials.
Please tell us what the answer is. Please explain how to make money in the digital arena because if Mr. Carey has the answer, he should be making money instead of spouting statements that don’t appear any foundation.
Please back up your statements.
Robert Scott (Comickaze) July 17, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Chris, you asked, “Please name another company besides Marvel or DC which has the financial capital to develop or experiment with developing digital distribution of their materials.”
The answer quite simply is PROFESSIONAL ONES. If you cannot come up with names, perhaps that means that the publishers you can name are not accepting the responsibilities that go with being a professional publisher.
If one intends to create and sell commercial projects, they would do well to first address a business plan and it would encompass most if not all of the things Percy mentioned.
That most have decided that publishers are only responsible for creating content and it is Diamond’s and their retail accounts responsibility to get it sold is a strong indicator that the they don’t understand basic business principles.
Those who can’t/won’t do what Percy is talking about should not be in “business” and guess what? As he implied, most WILL end up out of business.
JM Ringuet April 11, 2009 at 2:39 am
I have to agree with you Percy, you are right about a lot of what is going on in the industry right now. A lot of creators with genuine ideas and new visions about the medium are crushed between the monolithic superhero houses and the snobby ‘high road’ niche companies, and they have nowhere to go. Thinking that comics are inherently a small market is madness: they sell by the millions in places like France or Japan, and not because they have better creators but better distribution systems, better reputation and are looking forward instead or backward (or instead of gazing at their own navel).
There are a lot of things to do with comics in the US, lot of places to go and lot of people to reach, but none of the current publishers in the industry will do that. We need new publishers, we need new visions, we need mixing and crossing-over and fusion with other media (like music – and Hip Hop is in a unique position for that – TV, movies, books, animation, gallery art, toys, etc.). Unlike what ‘Chris’ is saying we don’t need more money, we need true vision! If we have vision and find way to reach a global audience money and everything else will fall into place.
It’s time for a revolution in the US comic industry.
Jeremy April 13, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Hey Chris,
This was wriiten in Lying in the Gutters today April 13th.
THE GREAT COMICS BAIL OUT OF 2009
While the US and UK recessions seem to be causing redundancies, bankruptcies and reductions in revenue across the comics industry, in Japan, they’re using comics to bring themselves out of their own financial problems.
The government is giving the manga industry a 15 trillion yen infusion to increase their manga exports by 1000%, creating half a million jobs in the process.
That’s what happens when you have a comics fan as Prime Minister of Japan, Taro Aso. Hang on, isn’t Barack Obama one as well? Will Quesada and Levitz be going cap in hand any time soon? Or was the “Amazing Spider-Man” cover the best we’re going to get?
One major concern for some. however, is that manga exports from Japan are going to be government subsidised. As American comics get more expensive, expect Japanese comics in America to get a whole lot cheaper. And a lot more competitive.
Concrete proof, Percy knows what he is talking about regarding the comic book industry. My question to “Chris” and countless others is this… What is the rest of the comic book industry trying to do to save their idnustry… The answer…Nothing.
Wow, you mention Crossgen. I can mention countless others that have failed but just because you remain in the market place doesn’t mean that your a cutting edge company.
Wow, Marvel and DC are currently making comic book movies, they should have done this years ago. But people find the move cutting edge. In sixty years, neither company has tried to make cutting edge advances then take small risk and get rewarded from an audience that cannot embrace change.
Percy is trying to bring economic growth to an industry that is twenty years behind the curve.
Distrakt April 22, 2009 at 7:40 pm
I LOVE VERTIGO/DC!
Django3000 February 3, 2010 at 4:07 am
Thanks for posting this article Percy. Your book was super dope – and I’m glad to know someone in comics is on a first name basis w/ the mayor of Tinseltown!
As a comics creator working out of Portland, OR – it’s exciting to see someone finally insisting we get on with this business of living and working in the 21st Century, at long last!
More powa to ya!
Djo Fortunado