Dark Horse’s Mike Richardson ComicsPRO keynote: change is constant
Mike Richardson of Dark Horse.
DALLAS — Dark Horse president and publisher Mike Richardson gave the keynote address at the ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting this morning, speaking to the history and possible future of comics.
“For the comics industry, changes have been a constant and necessary partner,” Richardson said, tracing the medium’s early beginnings, to the success of Superman, to the censorship of the 1950s and the efforts of Frederic Wertham.
“The comic book industry essentially muzzled itself,” he said.
Comics came back in the 1960s, but the low cover prices eventually found comics being forced out at newsstands and retail stores. Phil Seuling’s establishment of the direct comics market saved comics, Richardson said, and directly allowed companies like Dark Horse to exist.
The Dark Horse publisher recounted his origins in comics as a retailer, leaving a good job as a commercial artist to start a comic book store, a choice that led to an intervention from several of his friends. After a few hours, he eventually told them he’d give up his comic-book dreams — but of course, he did not.
His plans to start a comic shop came from his own difficulties buying comics, having to stake out gas stations and try to avoid being judged by other patrons.
“It came to me that there might be a better way to sell comics,” he said.
Once he started his store, he not only saw the kids, teens and young adults he expected, but also plenty of adults, he said.
“All they needed was a destination — a place to go talk comics.”
That can’t completely be replaced digitally, Richardson said, but he sees a huge opportunity to grow the comics market through a digital strategy.
“Comics specialty stores are our lifeblood,” he said. “The last thing I would want to do is harm that market.”
Richardson cited a study that there could be 1 billion tablet computers in circulation in 2016.
“Would 1 percent of tablet readers download a comic?” Richardson asked. That could be as many as 10 million people. If 10 percent of those samplers sought out a comic book store, that could double the size of the existing comic book market, Richardson estimates.
“If we want to grow our industry, we need to take some chances,” Richardson said.
One of those chances that need to be taken is publishing a wider variety of comics, Richardson said.
“Publishers need to create new titles that will stand the test of time,” he said.
Going forward, Richardson said the direct market will be a key market for keeping comics vibrant.
“It was you who allowed comics to flourish when the bookstores were not interested,” he said. He said the few thousand direct-market retailers, in a market created to solve a particular problem, have become the engine through which future market problems can be solved.
“I came to listen to what you have to say,” Richardson said.
He said he moved into comics as a career out of love, and that he loves reading, making and selling them. And he closed by holding up a recent Dark Horse comic.
“And I love to hold them,” he said.
- Matt Price
Dark Horse’s Mike Richardson to keynote ComicsPRO meeting
Mike Richardson of Dark Horse.
The sixth annual ComicsPRO Annual Membership Meeting is set for next week in Dallas, as comic-book specialty retailers from across the country congregate to meet with vendors and suppliers, and plan objectives for the upcoming year.
The 2012 keynote speaker is Mike Richardson, president of Dark Horse Comics, president of Dark Horse Entertainment and owner of the retail store chain Things From Another World. (more…)
Baron and Rude’s Nexus to return in Dark Horse Presents
Good news for “Nexus” fans — the sci-fi epic will return in the pages of the anthology series “Dark Horse Presents,” as announced in Steve Rude’s e-newsletter:
Baron and Rude are re-uniting for a new Nexus story. The story will be published under the Dark Horse banner in their Dark Horse Presents anthology book. After three 10-page installments in DHP, the story will eventually be published as its own stand-alone 30 pg. book. We’re withholding plot specifics at this point, but Baron’s story will focus on the “nature of evil”.
Baron will script, Rude will draw, ink, and letter! More details as they arise. Merry Christmas to all Nexus fans!
Dark Horse has been reprinting “Nexus” in hardcover archive editions. Steve Rude’s “Rude Dude” most recently published new issues of “Nexus,” as well as a black and white softcover compilation of the earliest issues.
Dark Horse sent out a news release announcing that the story will begin in May 2012′s “Dark Horse Presents” No. 12.
“The new stories crush anvils,” Mike Baron said in the release.
- Matt Price
Star Wars Legacy, Archie among reading for comic-book challenge
Catching up on a few more comics read recently as I’m trying to reach 2,011 comics read in 2011.
Archie #30 (1948): If Betty can sew a patch onto Archie’s pants, she can take him to the dance. Did people really do things like this in the 1940s?
Betty and Veronica #192 (Dec. 1971) Veronica ditches the gang, who are cleaning up the river in Riverdale, when she has a chance to appear in a fashion shoot.
Star Wars Legacy vol. 2: Shards: This second volume of “Legacy” does a lot to set up the world of the “Star Wars” universe, 125 years after “Return of the Jedi.” Cade Skywalker, Luke’s grandson, is the series’ main character, though he’s less active in this volume than the first. Collects issues 8, 4, 9, 10, 13, 11, and 12 of the series, originally published in 2007.
The Unknown 1-4 and The Unknown Devil Made Flesh 1-4: Two supernatural-style mysteries by writer Mark Waid and artist Minck Oosterveer. Oosterveer sadly died earlier this year.
In “The Unknown,” from Boom! Studios, master detective Catherine Allingham learns she only has months to live. She chooses to use that remaining time examining seemingly unsolvable mysteries with her ex-bouncer apprentice, James Doyle.
Sanctuary #1: Stephen Coughlin’s digital comic from SLG features a sanctuary for animals with a dark mystery behind it — it reminded me somewhat of “Lost.”
Batman: No Man’s Land Vol. 1: Batman must deal with Gotham City after a terrible earthquake leads to the evacuation of most of the city. This volume includes Batman: No Man’s Land #1, Batman #563-564, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #83-84, Detective Comics #730-731 and Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #116. While the story is in some ways unbelievable, the storytellers do a good job making this altered Gotham and its residents part of a compelling story of Batman and his allies in a new, difficult circumstance.
- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,847. Still to go: 164.
Roy Thomas reflects on “Conan”
"Conan the Barbarian" No. 1, written by Roy Thomas, from Marvel Comics
Missouri-born comic book writer and editor Roy Thomas broke into comics in the mid-1960s, and went on to write some of the comic industry’s best-known characters, from the Avengers to the X-Men to Batman. But among his best-loved works are his comic-book adaptations of the Robert E. Howard pulp tales of Conan the Barbarian. The success of the Marvel Comics Conan led to the Arnold Schwarzenegger films of the 1980s, which had some involvement from Thomas.
“Conan” remains a popular property — the latest film, “Conan the Barbarian,” starring Jason Momoa, was released on DVD this week, and the Thomas-written 12-issue series “Conan: Road of Kings” is currently being released by Dark Horse Comics.
Kindle Fire demo; Avengers poster; Conan giveaway and Roy Thomas interview
Matt and Kyle take a look at the Kindle Fire’s options for comics; the Avengers release new posters; and Roy Thomas talks about Conan the Barbarian in this week’s comics podcast.
(more…)
Happy birthday, Bernie Wrightson!
According to the Comics Reporter, it’s the 63rd birthday of popular horror artist Bernie Wrightson.
He’s known as the co-creator of “Swamp Thing” and for his work on comic book titles from “House of Mystery” to “Batman: The Cult.”
I read “Batman/Aliens” from 1997 last night, a two-part series written by Ron Marz with art by Bernie Wrightson, and Wrightson does as well as anyone in making the alien creatures of the “Aliens” universe truly disturbing.
His work on “Creepy” and as an illustrator of “Frankenstein” have been reprinted in the past year, and are worth seeking out. Wrightson has recently worked with writer Steve Niles on projects including “The Ghoul” and “Doc Macabre.”
- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,608 Still to go: 403.
Hellboy’s allies’ stories told in “B.P.R.D.”
The early tales of the B.P.R.D. (following their appearances in “Hellboy” comics) are collected in a hardcover edition from Dark Horse. The Bureau of Paranormal Research and Development investigates the supernatural mysteries that are beyond the expertise of regular agents. When Hellboy quits the team, Abe Sapien and Liz Sherman must run the team and protect the world from a growing menace of a strange invasion of frogs.
B.P.R.D.: The Universal Machine (collects The Universal Machine 5-issue limited series): The B.P.R.D. team attempts to resurrect Roger the homunculus.
B.P.R.D.: Garden of Souls (collects Garden of Souls 5-issue limited series): More about Abe Sapien’s origins in the Civil War era are revealed as the B.P.R.D. rescues an ancient mummy.
B.P.R.D.: Killing Ground (collects Killing Ground 5-issue limited series) The B.P.R.D. and new military leader Benjamin Daimio must battle a creature on the loose in the enclosed base of the team.
B.P.R.D.: 1946 (collects 1946 5-issue limited series): At the end of WWII, Professor Trevor Bruttenholm takes a team of soldiers to investigate an occult Nazi initiative. This mini is written by Joshua Dysart and Mignola, and drawn by Paul Azaceta.
B.P.R.D.: The Warning (collects The Warning 5-issue limited series) Perhaps a bit of a slipup from the previous high marks, but the art is still stunning. The BPRD team seeks the man who’s been appearing in Liz Sherman’s visions.
B.P.R.D.: The Black Goddess (collects The Black Goddess 5 issue limited series) The conclusion of the Liz/Memnan Saa storyline and the return of a “Golden Age” classic in a solid miniseries.
- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,601. Still to go: 410.
Conan the Barbarian has long past in pulps, comics
On the hot plains of Texas, in the wildcatting town of Cross Plains, a barbarian was born who has now lived in our imaginations for nearly 80 years.
Robert E. Howard, the author and creator of “Conan,” launched the character in the 1932 issue of the pulp magazine “Weird Tales.” Howard was born in Peaster, Texas, in 1906 and lived in Texas and western Oklahoma as a youth before settling in Cross Plains, Texas, in 1919.
Chris Hemsworth excited for Avengers; new Green Lantern trailer; Free Comic Book Day 2011!
CHRIS HEMSWORTH STARS IN THOR, READIES FOR THE AVENGERS
“Thor” star Chris Hemsworth talks getting ready for the Avengers and a possible Thor sequel.
Chris Hemsworth (AP)
“I had such an amazing time … can’t wait for Avengers, and the idea of doing more of them is incredibly exciting. I really do love the character, and I’m excited to see what other directions we could take it,” Hemsworth said in a phone interview.”I’ve hung out with Chris Evans a few times, and talked about the film and how excited we are, and the same with Downey, I’ve bumped into him at a couple of events,” he said. “We’ve all seen these characters come to life individually, and now to mesh it all together is going to be a fun ride.”
NEW GREEN LANTERN TRAILER
Warner Bros. has released a new trailer for “Green Lantern,” opening June 17 and starring Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan, chosen to be a Green Lantern, a member of an intergalactic peacekeeping force. Warner Bros. seems to be upping the epic feel for this one, as you get a sense of Hal Jordan as the newest member of this awesome peacekeeping force.
Speaking of Green Lantern, he’ll have a comic book featured in Saturday’s
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY
For the 10th year, comic book shops and participating locations around the world will give away comics to customers and visitors. This Saturday marks the 10th celebration of Free Comic Book Day. Characters such as Spider-Man, Thor, Green Lantern and the Smurfs star in special comics, sold at low cost to stores, to be given away free on this special day.
Free Comic Book Day was created by Concord, Calif., comic book retailer Joe Field, ComicsPRO trade organization president and owner of Flying Colors Comics and Other Cool Stuff.
Field said about 2.7 million comics will be available for giveaway Saturday. Retailers have given away more than 25 million comics since the first giveaway in 2002. More than a dozen stores in the Oklahoma City area are participating.
REVIEW FILE: Axe Cop 3, Fear Itself 2.
- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 594 Still to go: 1417
