ComicsPRO 2013: Increasing sales, new president

Comic book shops are bullish on the industry, as revealed at the ComicsPRO Annual Membership Meeting, held this year in Atlanta, Ga.

Diamond Comics Distributors, the primary direct-market comic book distributor in North America, shared positive statistics with the retailers gathered for the meeting.

Diamond reported that comic sales increased by 16 percent in 2012 and graphic novel sales were up 13 percent. Also in the comic store specialty channel, merchandise sales were up 9 percent and total sales were up 14 percent over 2011. Diamond also reported a 1 percent increase in the overall number of stores.

The ComicsPRO board of directors elected a new president for the first time in the organization’s eight-year history.

Thomas Gaul, of Beach Ball Comics and Cornerstore Comics in Anaheim, Calif., will replace Joe Field, of Flying Colors Comics and Other Cool Stuff in Concord, Calif. Field, who was the originator of “Free Comic Book Day,” has been the president of the organization since its inception. Field, who remains on the board, did not seek another term as president.