RECENT COLUMNS
Thu, December 17th, 2009
Brian Hibbs returns this month and explains not only why the comic book industry is as healthy as it ever was, if not healthier, but also why the Original Graphic Novel may not necessarily be the end-all be-all comic book format of the future.
Fri, October 23rd, 2009
Brian Hibbs takes a look at Diamond Distributors and finds that, while he wouldn't call the comic book wholesaler blameless, the problems faced by today's retailers aren't solely due to the distributor's monopoly status.
Thu, September 17th, 2009
Brian Hibbs looks back at what Paul Levitz has meant to the Direct Market over the last few decades, and what his exit from DC's executive branch may mean, not only for DC Comics, but for the entire comic book publishing industry.
Fri, September 4th, 2009
You all know comics retailer Brian Hibbs isn't once to mince words. Well, today Hibbs shares his thoughts and opinions on the Marvel/Disney sale in an open letter to the Walt Disney Company.
Fri, August 14th, 2009
This month, Brian takes a good look at the direct market, measures the pros and cons of the non-returnability aspect of it's set-up and explains why, in his mind, there's very little reason for retailers to want that to change.
Thu, July 16th, 2009
What do Neil Gaiman, Tyrese Gibson, social networking and guerilla marketing have to do with each other? Quite a bit, it turns out, as Brian Hibbs illustrates in Tilting at Windmills latest cautionary tale.
Fri, June 19th, 2009
"Captain America" #600's big release has come and gone, and fans have been debating the issue heavily all week, but what was the end result for the retailers? Brian Hibbs is back with his analysis of the event from the front lines.
Fri, May 15th, 2009
This month, Brian Hibbs takes an in depth look into the whole "Wolverine" #73 before #72 controversy and whether or not it had the intended results for his store. Plus, Free Comic Book Day and how to make it even better.
Fri, April 17th, 2009
Following the 20th Anniversary of his store, Comix Experience owner Brian Hibbs reflects back on what it's taken to survive all these years and how things have changes. Plus, a visit to NYC comic shops, the Amazon fiasco and more!
Fri, March 27th, 2009
Brian takes a lengthy look at last week's ComicsPRO meeting, giving reader a behind the scenes look at the discussions being had by the retail community as well as a tour of Diamond's new Memphis facility.
Thu, February 19th, 2009
It's the big one you've all been waiting for -- Brian Hibbs shows you the numbers for 2008 graphic novel sales in book stores with indepth analysis. DC did gangbusters all around, leading off with "Watchmen."
Thu, January 15th, 2009
It was a huge week for comics publishing in a number of ways and at the same time both DC Comics and Marvel Comics made big mistakes in handling one of the biggest weeks in comics in years. Brian Hibbs covers it all.
Fri, December 19th, 2008
October & November were good sales months for Brian Hibbs -- has December been faring as well? Plus, an examination of Marvel's $3.99 price increase and what it all really means for the future of comics sales and trade collections.
Fri, November 14th, 2008
How is the downturn in the affecting comics retailing? Brian Hibbs isn't seeing any contraction and he explains why, plus advice for publishers considering raising their prices in the coming year.
Fri, October 17th, 2008
Brian Hibbs covers a wide range of topics in this week's column, including how his store's new point-of-sale system has generated some surprising results, the distributor bottleneck and publisher problems handling back lists.
Thu, September 18th, 2008
Brian examines some of the lessons learned from the recent "All-Star Batman & Robin" fiasco, why proper Street Dates should be enforced in the Direct Market, and what they could ultimately mean to retailers' pocket books.
Fri, August 15th, 2008
Brian Hibbs continues to learn more about sales patterns at his store since installing a new point-of-sale system. This month, he takes a look at all the inventory that doesn't move and what he ultimately does with it.
Fri, July 18th, 2008
With one year under his belt using a point-of-sales system, retailer Brian Hibbs has gathered all sorts of interesting data about graphic novel sales in his store and is readying a purge. The non-sellers are very surprising.
Thu, June 19th, 2008
There's lots happening in the publishing world this month and Brian Hibbs is here to put it all in perspective. From the problems at Tokyopop and DC to a list of what the direct market needs from a publisher, don't miss this month's TILTING AT WINDMILLS!
Fri, May 16th, 2008
Brian Hibbs brings his long-running column TILTING AT WINDMILLS to CBR! Always informative and usually controversial, Brian pulls no punches. Today, comics implosion and the Fantagraphics/ Diamond deal.
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