IDW’s Ted Adams promotes diversification in ComicsPRO keynote address

DALLAS, Texas — IDW Publishing CEO Ted Adams spoke at the ComicsPRO Annual Membership Meeting about his history in the industry and his hopes for the future.

Adams came to the meeting after visiting the set of the “Locke & Key” pilot in Pittsburgh, based on the IDW comic written by Joe Hill.

Adams suggested ideas for the direct market going forward, including the possibility of a national racking program and a combined industry co-op.

Adams suggested it’s important for the direct market to embrace diversity in the marketplace to ensure it’s continued existence and success.

“We’re going to niche ourselves into irrelevance” if the market is completely dependent on the top publishers, Adams said.

Adams discussed his past in the industry, from his early days with Eclipse, and his time with Dark Horse and Todd McFarlane.    Things have changed mightily over the years, from days when very few graphic novels were rare to today, where nearly every bookstore in the country has a graphic novel section.

“The impact of our content on pop culture is extraordinary,” Adams said.  “”There’s clearly an audience for the content we create.”

- Matt Price