News, Press & Reviews

Kid's Play by Lisa Tamayo
From the September Issue of Aspiring Retail

Comics, Graphic Novels, Manga

In 2001, graphic-novel sales were $75 million. They more than tripled to $245 million last year. The comic/ graphic novel genre has been in our industry for some time. Take a look at Cook's perennial bestseller The Picture Bible (FaithKidz), which includes stories illustrated with colorful action pictures kids can follow easily. Tommy Nelson's recent release of its comic-book style "The Illustrated Bible" series follows the same format. Acts and Matthew are available. John and Luke release next month, and The Illustrated Bible: Complete New Testament releases in February.

Watch for growth in graphic novels. Companies such as School Specialty Publishing are targeting the Internet generation ("Critter Kids Go Graphic," Publishers Weekly, June 27, 2006) with two new educational graphic novel series, "Little Critter" and "Critter Kids Adventure Series" - extensions of the Little Critter characters created by Mercer Mayer, The titles include nonfiction fact boxes and a reading comprehension section at the end of each story. The company has also released six nonfiction graphic novels illustrating historical time periods, six more release this month.

Urban Ministries president-CEO C. Jefferey Wright says there are few biblically based titles in this genre. This month UMI unveiled "The Guardian Line," a series of comics aimed to captivate and inspire the African-American Christian market.

"We went into the comic industry to get the talent," Wright says. Comic lovers are loyal. If they find a title by a favorite illustrator, they'll buy based solely on name recognition. Creator Michael Davis is also co-creator of the Emmy-winning animated show Static Shock!
"The Guardian Line" is comprised of four series -"Joe and Max," "The Seekers," "Genesis 5," and "Code" - targeted to specific age groups. The comics feature three essentials fans have come to expect from Davis: strong African-American characters, a multicultural cast (some with extraordinary powers), and a guy named Larry.

"Joe and Max" is the first to release, targeting tweens. Additional titles will release weekly. Comics will then be released bi-monthly for a total of six issues of each series per year.

UMI seeks to distribute its line into Christian and mainstream stores. Wright advises retailers to learn about the marketplace and comic-living customers, and not to make assumptions about literacy (they're not for poor readers only). The genre is read by kids, teens, and adults.

"Comic-book customers are fiercely loyal and will switch stores if product isn't there," Wright says. "Comic enthusiasts are collectors and will gravitate to ancillary products such as cards, video, action figures, and more."

Manga, originating from the Japanese, is a style of art used in a comic book or graphic novel. Buzz Dixon, creator of Realbuzz Studio/ Barbour's "Serenity" series, compares the animated style to the TV show Speed Racer. The studio saw there was an audience thirsty for morally uplifting, inspirational material. "Serenity" sales are nearly triple that of the current best-selling manga titles. Known as the Serenity guys at venues like Comic-Con, veterans Dixon and Marlon Shulman, cofounder of Realbuzz Studio, are widely respected in the comic industry.

They agree collecting is huge part of this genre. "It's in the nature of kids to want to belong, to be part of a community," Shulman says.

Look for "Hits and Misses," "Goofyfoot Gurl," and "Life! Camera! Action!" series this spring. Future ancillary products may include coloring books, gifts, and related collectibles, T-shirts, and jewelry.

Comic-book formats are also used to promote products in other formats to teens. WestBow Press/ Alias Comic commissioned a DC Comic artist for a graphic novel introduction to Ted Dekker's Saint, releasing next month. Although, not intended for children, the novel that includes the first three chapters of Saint was used as a promotion piece and inserted in magazines.

Find ways to tap into customers interested in this genre. Hold manga or graphic novel clubs, similar to book discussion groups.

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