Today's Feature - A Composition of Photography From 

Ron Warren and Ron Warren Photography

Ron Warren - The Man Behind the Camera

Phil Juliano from the Iowa Comic Book Club Show

An Informative Report Courtesy of Lisa Aquilina From the ICv2 Conference

The retail panel at the ICv2 Conference     (l. to r.) Andrew Mcintire (Things From       Another World), Terrence Irvins          (Kinokuniya), Jim Crocker (Modern   Myths), Tucker Stone (Bergen Street Comics), David Steinberger (Comixology) and ICv2 CEO Milton Griepp, moderator.

There’s a new comics reader in town, and she’s a girl and a more casual  customer, drawn to specific stories,  rather than long-running superhero  franchises. That was the overwhelming  theme of the ICv2 Conference: “Understanding The New Comics Customer” held the Wednesday prior to New York Comic Con. The conference offered data on the new comics customer, the explosive growth of comics festivals, retailer responses and a discussion of what this new customer is reading.

ICv2 founder Milton Griepp kicked things off with his annual white paper on industry sales, recapping 2013 numbers which showed that comics are a $870 million industry including sales in comics shops, bookstores and digital. So far in 2014 graphic novel sales are up in “double digits,” periodical comics are up 3% and digital is “flat.”

Griepp’s annual survey of graphic novels by genre showed that the number of books being published is down in most genres except fiction/reality (essentially non superhero comics) which was up 26%, possibly the result of new customers who are interested in non-genre storytelling.

The manga market rebounded in 2013 with an 8% rise after years of steep decline, thanks to the hit Attack on Titan. Griepp noted that anime is now available via streaming and this helped some properties.

With increasing interest in the children’s graphic novel market, Griepp made a study of sales over the summer 2014 period and estimated the kids GN market at about $60-70 million a year. “That’s a significant and growing part of the business,” Griepp said. “It’s not only a segment that wasn’t there 10 years ago but, also younger readers turn into older, lifelong readers.”

Three other sessions covered comics conventions, retailing and publishing, and all of them stressed that there are new customers coming into the industry, drawn by strong material such as Saga and The Walking Dead. Although many are drawn in by media properties and movies, they stay for the variety of stories in different formats.

The growing presence of female customers was also noted in all channels and events. A survey conducted by online ticketing service Eventbrite, customer data gathered by convention organizer Wizard World at its summer shows, and New York Comic Con organizer ReedPOP’s own internal numbers all showed somewhere between 40-47% of attendees are female. According to Eventbrite’s figures, which were presented by consultant Rob Salkowitz, among convention goers under thirty, it’s a 50-50 split.

 

Given recent controversy over whether cosplayers and other experience oriented attendees are buying at shows—there has been much online discussion about the popularity of cosplayers and whether they interfere with buying at shows—Salkowitz reported that female attendees tended to go to shows to shop as much as males, but more women than men reported spending higher amounts.

On the retailing panel, a variety of store owners reported they are seeing more “casual consumers” who are not wedded to continuity and connected superhero universes. All retail panelists—which included Comixology CEO David Steinberger—praised digital distribution for “growing the market,” according to Jim Cocker of Modern Myths. Steinberger said Comixology’s newest consumers are likely to be women, 18 years old and up.

“Tucker Stone of Bergen Street comics noted that “When we started selling YA and children’s comics they were about 5-10% of sales, and now they are a third. About 1/3 of our customers are female but among graphic novel buyers, it’s 50/50.” Stone was equally bullish on libraries and urged retailers to “stop whatever you’re doing and work with librarians,” emphasizing that it will pay off in increased sales.

Terence Irvins, the graphic novel buyer at Kinokuniya Books new comics section, recalled that comics writer Warren Ellis had once predicted there would be “a casual customer who has no interest in back issues, but will browse the shelves. And that’s what we’re seeing now.” Indeed Steinberger emphasized that digital comics “are for reading, not for collecting,” and noted that Comixology’s list of bestselling titles looked very much like that of conventional print bookstore.

On the publishing panel IDW’s Ted Adams relayed the success they’ve had with their Micro Comic Fun Packs, a low-priced grab bag sold at mass market that introduces readers to comics via included mini comics. “A casual kid goes wandering around WalMart and sees Skylander fun packs. This is as casual as it gets.” Panelists Joseph Illidge of Verge Entertainment and Cassandra Pelham of Scholastic/Graphix addressed issues of diversity, as did Archie CEO Jon Goldwater, who outlined editorial process that led to the launch of Kevin Keller, Archie’s first gay character.

Panelists emphasized the importance of diversity—ethnic, gender, sexual preference and more—pointing out titles such as Ms. Marvel and its Pakistani-American heroine, which present nontraditional heroes for a modern audience, reflecting the world of today. A continuing theme throughout the day was the rise of a new contemporary “golden age” of comics content, driven by such bestselling comics works as Roz Chast’s Can’t We Talk about Something More Pleasant and Raina Telgemeier’s Sisters, which are drawing huge numbers of readers to the comics category.

As Archie publisher Jon Goldwater stressed, “The foundation for us is always telling great stories.”

Creativity - Things You May Need To Know, 

Want To Know or Have To Know

Article link provided by Ron Warren

An Interview With Phil Juliano of Best In Show

Truly Amazing

Hi everyone!

These are my pooches and these photos are all in my back yard with my new Go Pro Hero 3+ Silver camera.

Jack is the first photo and that’s him saying, “Wow, I’m cool!”  Because he is.  He’s the smallest and at 3.5 years old he’s the lousiest hunter I have.  Can’t sneak up on anything.  He had a bad habit of chasing birds until a couple months ago when I kept fussing at him telling him he was never gonna catch the feathered critters but unfortunately he did…when a bird deposited a special "packet" all down his back!

Next is Mikey, the alpha in the group and that’s him sticking his tongue out at the other dogs because he hates them all.  I’ve had Mikey the longest, since 2006 and he’s very attached to me so much so that if I left I fear he’d grieve himself to death.  He’s very loving at times and not so much at other times, -he’s moody!  Mikey hates children because he’d been beaten by boys when he was a puppy, then taken to the pound and picked up by a no-kill shelter before he came to live with me. 

Next is Eddie tearing up Mikey’s b-day card he got from a friend of mine who owns a dog food company.  Eddie is the baby and highly annoying to all of us! The little monster is Jack’s arch enemy and at times he'll just lurch at any of the dogs at will which is gonna get him hurt one of these days!  Jack and Eddie are both rescues from a high-kill shelter in Eastern Ky. where many dogs are not as lucky as mine are.

Next are Maggie and Daphne.  Maggie is very independent and offers little affection. She’s the smartest of the group.  Daphne was a rescue off Craig’s list.  A friend called me late one night saying there was a dog that might end up as a bait dog if we don’t go get her because some people posted her on Craig’s list because they need her gone that very night.  So we jumped in the car and drove 25 miles out to get her.  She’s been here ever since.  Daphne is a bit neurotic due to a previous owner who mistreated her though I don’t know exactly what he did to her.

Next is Sammie (Stinky) and Daphne.  Sammie, who we call Stinky because she rolls all over anything that stinks, was found at a breeder in a chicken coup.  Fortunately she was so young at the time she was found that she doesn’t remember anything but love.  She’s very annoying but very innocent and sweet. Stinky is just now 3 and shows potential for having some brains.

Next is Buddy.  Buddy is very special.  I adopted him when he was 8 years old.  He’d been taken by a family that had him for 8 years to the pound where a woman with another shelter happened to be and she took him to her shelter. He was severely matted and flea ridden to the point of sickening.  This was in November 2010. He had all the odds against him.  Because of his age and the fact he had some health problems no one wanted to adopt him so he sat in a cage and in and out of foster care for six months.  Then one day I walked by his cage after checking on him off and on for a few weeks, and he stuck his paw out and smacked my leg.  I looked at the lady at the shelter and said well, I guess he wants to go home with me so let’s make it happen.  
For 9 months he suffered from a very horrible depression fearing I’d take him back like every foster did and slowly, very slowly he began to understand he was finally home.  Still he suffered more health issues including Cushing’s Disease.  But with much prayer and love Buddy is very happy now despite still having some health issues.  He runs and plays with the other dogs and loves lunch and dinner more than anything else!  Today he looks at me with great affection and he’ll break my heart in the worst way when the day comes I lose him.  

Next is Jack and Stevie. Stevie was also a Craig’s list dog who ended up in a no-kill shelter before coming to me. I don’t know much about her past.  She’s the most popular female with my males.  They all like her but she doesn’t like them, ain’t that just the way it goes!  If I get mad at her and punish her for something she did, she always gets even with me!

And the last photo was supposed to be of Jack but as I snapped it Eddie decided to show Jack up.  It’s one of my favorite pics!

All of the dogs are rescues from various local shelters except Daphne.  Daphne was a $50.00 late night trade to rescue her from possibly being a bait dog.  I'd take lots more if I could afford them but on average these pups cost me about $500.00 a month to feed and care for them.  Today they range in age from 2 to 11 with 5 of them between 2 and 4 years old.  They've aged me by at least 10 years!  Ha-ha.  It's a great reward in and of itself knowing every day that I keep the safe, happy, fed and loved.

P.S. For a little added fun here are 3 pics of Jack and Eddie as Batman and Robin.  Eddie is bigger than Jack so he got to be Batman even though Jack wanted to be and he is clearly ticked off at Eddie for taking his role.  

( In the first pic Eddie says, "I'm Batman" and Jack says, "I'm pissed."  In the second pic Eddie says, "I'm Batman" and Jack says, "I hate you."  In the last pic Eddie says, "I'm Batman" and Jack says, "I can't even look at you."

Hahahahaha)

I want to mention one thing about the pups...They are all named after saints...Mikey Alasdair, Buddy Rocco, Magdalene Elizabeth, Stephanie Genevieve, Jack Henry, Daphne Elizabeth, Samantha Elizabeth & Eddie Alasdair.

Plus they all wear St Benedict medals to protect them from all evil!

We all live in Barkinham Palace.  The sign on back door and the mail box state, "Bark-bark. Who  goes there?"

All of my hounds are also all Lords and Ladies except Daphne, she’s a Duchess.

Mikey also has his own Face Book page and Onion and Pea are friends with him!  Here is his address...

https://www.facebook.com/lordmikey.wehrley?fref=ts&ref=br_tf

Here is a postcard from Onion and Pea that Mikey recently received.

THE COMX BOX CARTOONIST GROUP SYNDICATE

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The Spacious Kentucky International Convention Center, Site of The Comx Box Con
(Artist rendition of what the marquee might have looked like if the Kickstarter funding had gone through)
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Bill Watterson!!!

Stan Lee!!!

Robert Crumb!!!

Gary Larson!!!

These are just a few of the Industry Giants who completely ignored our requests for them to make guest appearances at Comx Box Con.  To be fair, Larson did acknowledge us by filing a restraining order.  Sweeeeet!

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As a renowned name in the industry, Comx Box was able to secure a prime location on the convention floor to display our comics... next to the Men's Room ...behind the support pillar ...across from the air conditioning unit ... kitty-corner to the janitor's supply room. 

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One of the most popular booths was the Dennis Rodman Pierce and Paste Pavilion.

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The Alison Ward Look-Alike Beauty Contest drew an enthusiastic crowd despite a ban on black string bikinis.

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Safety services at the Comx Box Con were top notch as here we see a few of the conventioneers receiving minor medical attention after having suffered some type of seizures while viewing some of Derrick Wood's, The 17th Radish artwork.

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 There was one unfortunate incident that slightly marred the convention festivities.  Event security teams were called in to the "Kim Jong-un Health Food Court" when a food fight broke out as it was discovered that KJU's idea of eating green was ...Soylent Green.  Making matters worse, the morsels were prepared with MSG.  Comx Box Chief of Security, Ron Warren, states that the rotund one will not be invited back next year.

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Speaking of Ron, here he is with Comx Box Con Co-host, Lady Anne Wehrley at the sumptuous Comx Box hospitality suite.  The waffles and bagels were  big hits with hungry conventioneers and one persistent rodent.

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Despite an injunction filed against him by the Louisville Department of Health and Mental Welfare Services, the entrepreneurship of Derrick Wood shines through as he still manages to sponsor the Toaster Strudel Bar at the CB suite.  Ron smells a rat.  No...seriously, he smells a rat...the darn thing is still hanging around.

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Here we find Ron and Lady Anne signing convention posters for the numerous attendees waiting patiently in line outside of the suite while munching on waffles.

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Here is another great piece of convention art that was co-produced by Lady Anne and Ron.  This piece depicts the lines of fans who met with Lady Anne while the same fans were a bit leery of stopping by Ron's table with his guests, which included a surprise visit from the top two politicians in the world.  That's Ron on the far right wondering if he should have invited Bill and Hillary instead.

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To no one's surprise (ahem), the most sought after piece of convention memorabilia featured two certain Nano'Bots who captured the hearts of thousands during the event.  Here we see Ron beaming as he has been informed by Lady Anne that over 2,000 of the pieces have been signed and sold at $5 a pop.

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A few moments later, we find a somewhat disgruntled Ron as Lady Anne further informs him that she and the creator of the NanoWorld art had previously signed a contractual arrangement that called for a 50/50 split of NW art sales proceeds strictly between herself and the author.  Ron was last seen checking phone booths for change to take a bus back to his hotel.

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 Following a few too many vodka toasts to cartoons and cartoonists, a certain leader of the Russian Federation makes an unfortunate and off-color remark to Lady Anne who quickly lets the "gentleman" know that his comments are not appreciated.  Here we see Mr. Putin staring down the barrel of Lady Anne's good ol' companion, "The Rat Pacifier" prior to his making a hasty exit from the State of Kentucky.  Russian security forces absconded with Ron's camera which had captured the entire event and so he has provided us with this artistic rendition.

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A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!

Art, Photos and Article by...

  -Lady Anne Wehrley

  -Ron Warren

 -Tame

A special thanks to Derrick Wood for being a good sport.

Brian Ponshock is cuckoo...Cuckoo for Cuckoo Clocks, that is.  He recently sent Comx Box some photos of the clocks that he has collected over the years.  It's not just Cuckoo Clocks either.  He has several others that have made their way into his home including an art-deco style hanging clock and a very nice mantle clock from 1929 that he had restored.  Brian commented that his clock collecting days are likely over since he has run out of space on his walls.  Of course, if he took down all of those selfies that he has hung on those walls, he would probably have room for 10 more Cuckoos.

Here are the photos.