ComicsPRO conference offers optimism, possible ways forward
Word Balloons #1257: Retailer conference looks for new methods, new hits in wake of Diamond Distributors bankruptcy
We’re so back – probably.
The ComicsPRO annual meeting was held last weekend in Glendale, California. Publishers, distributors and others met with top comics retailers from around the country. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the Diamond Comics Distributors bankruptcy, which is still ongoing, there was a lot of enthusiasm for comics at the event, which gathers hundreds of retailers under the auspices of the independent trade organization.
I’ll likely be unpacking thoughts and missives from the meeting for months going forward, but for now, my five takeaways from the ComicsPRO meeting:
Marvel and DC announce new crossovers
Marie Javins of DC and CB Cebulski of Marvel at ComicsPRO. CB Cebulski of Marvel and Marie Javins of DC announced to the gathered retailers at ComicsPRO that Marvel/DC and DC/Marvel crossovers would return in 2025. No details yet as far as characters or creative teams, but this marks the first new content developed by the two companies in tandem in two decades.
Art from H2SH (DC Comics) H2SH and DC taking big swings
Art from Jim Lee and Jeph Loeb’s “Batman: Hush 2” or “H2SH” was shown at the event, and it looks dynamic. I feel like this is about as surefire of a hit as it gets in comics right now. Also, Matt Fraction making his return to superhero comics with a new “Batman” #1 following six parts of “H2SH” – which will be completed with another six parts somewhere down the line – makes it appear that 2025 will continue to be a big time for Batman. And Superman won’t be forgotten either, with the “Summer of Superman” announced by DC at the event including new titles for Supergirl and Krypto.
The Future Is…
One of the new titles I’m most intrigued by is “The Future Is…” from new publisher Rekcah. Fred Van Lente and Ennio Bufi have a 60-issue storyline planned in this title with ties to cybersecurity. More about this one to follow, but I’d keep an eye on it.
Ignition revs up
Filip Sablik, Jamie S. Rich, Jeremy Haun and Eric Gitter head up the new publisher, with creators including Cullen Bunn, Jim McCann, Si Spurrier, Leah Williams, and Stephanie Williams. These are really smart people who, I think, have a plan that could be effective in changing comics marketing if it works. Haun’s “Curious Haunts” podcast appears to be an early piece in this puzzle – find out more about it here.
Massive providing option for indies
One of the major problems if Diamond does disappear is the number of indie publishers that leaves essentially without a distribution home. Massive Indies, a subdistribution program for smaller publishers run through Massive Publishing, may provide a landing spot for some of these. This appears to be a smart solution that could keep some publishers afloat in uncertain times.
A lot more happened at the conference, probably enough for 10 more columns (it’s hard to believe the number of blog updates I used to post from this gathering as it happened), but for now this is some of what has me excited for comics in 2025.
Matthew Price, matthew@matthewlprice.com, has written about the comics industry for more than two decades. He is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman.