The Decline of an Industry; the Rebirth Through Film

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you....

THE DECLINE OF AN INDUSTRY; THE REBIRTH THROUGH FILM (insert dramatic bass line here).

Comics. Comic Books. Graphic Novels. Funny Books. Comic Magazines. Whatever you call them, one thing is for sure; they are a part of our culture.

"The first comic book appeared in the United States in 1934, reprinting the earlier newspaper comic strips, which established many of the story telling devices used in comics today. The term "comic book" arose because the first comic books reprinted humor comic strips, but despite their name, comic books are not usually humorous; most modern comic books tell adventure stories, often about super heroes." (So says Wikipedia)

Since (obviously) I was not around when the first comic came to the U.S., I will have to simply tell you the story (or at least my interpretation) of the (in my opinion) recent decline of the comic industry and its rebirth through film.

I began reading comics (as most do) in my childhood. When I first began reading them, one could buy comics at several local businesses. I remember buying comics from Wallace & Owens, Walmart, Town & Country, Ramey's Supermarket, and various other small businesses around the area.

I even recall buying comics from a small comic shop here in Kennett call HAWKEYE CARDS & COMICS (if you're out there HAWKEYE, I miss you).

Question: Where can one buy comics locally today ?

Answer: Comic book shops.

Gone from the shelves at local grocery and retail stores are the 32-page stories of might and majesty, good and evil, love and hate (didn't know comics were so deep did you?). I can't think of one place in Kennett where I can buy a comic today.

Thus I give you: The Decline of an Industry.

From being everywhere to being nowhere (at least locally) in the span of a few short years. What happened? (I don't know, but I don't like it!)

Here is one synopsis (based on what little I know about the inner workings of the industry).

Until about 10 or 15 years ago, comic companies used several distributors to get their books on newsstands. At that time, one of the larger companies (I won't say who, but I'll give you a hint: think of a big "M") decided they were big enough to start distributing their own stuff, and began to do so.

Sometime after that, something happened that made "M" want to dissolve their distribution company and use another (perhaps it was more complicated than "M" first thought).

So "M" began using a different distributor (again, no names, but fill in this blank "____ are a girls best friend" now take the "s" off of the end).

So with "M" using "a girls best friend," who was a rather large distributor, the other big comic company (lets call them "D") decided to use them as well, as to better compete with "M's" product range.

With "M" and "D" using "a girls best friend," consequently, the smaller companies began using "a girls best friend" as well, eliminating the smaller distributors.

Could part of the deal with "a girls best friend" be that comics will not be delivered to retail/grocery stores and only to comic shops as a way to support those who support the industry? (Good question. All I know is comics are not as prevalent in this area today as they used to be)

Now, the Rebirth Through Film!

Without as many outlets for the books, readership undoubtedly declined.

Hello, Hollywood!

Now, while comic movies have been around for a long time, they too took a hiatus from mainstream pop culture (a brief hiatus, but a hiatus none the less).

That was until the recent releases of such instant classics as Spider-Man, X-Men, Batman Begins Iron Man, Superman Returns, and others.

With the new influx of comic movies created by some of Hollywood's most talented directors (yes, I know, that is editorializing. But it's my blog), I believe comic popularity has been brought back to the forefront of pop culture. Box office numbers don't lie. Comic inspired movies have been some of the highest grossing films in recent times.

They give older fans a reminder of their childhood. Children are introduced to characters that their parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents grew up with.

Bonds between parents and children are strengthened by a common source -- comic books.

The genre.....is BACK!

FYI, my dad's favorite comic was Swamp Thing. My favorite was Spider-man (didn't see that one coming did ya?).

DISCLAIMER: The information in this blog is simply for entertainment purposes only. I do not claim to know exactly what happened to make comics disappear from local shelves, nor do I claim the industry failed at any point. I simply provided my view of the local comic industry. If you have another idea, let's hear it.