Well, it’s managed to sell a decent number of a couple of comics, likely to existing direct market customers. Does anyone actually believe that many of the walk-ins are going to keep coming back each month?

Captain Trips, indeed.

~

Coat

The BEA in NYC, during Free Comic Book Day and the opening of Spider-Man, all Marvel had was a measly card table with a few books on display, in the middle of the first ever graphic novel pavillion.

DC was a bit low key this year, but still sizeable. Only two signings scheduled. No video monitors showing The Dark Knight trailers, although they did have a cool licensed book with Penguin, done in the Kane/Sprang style! (And they continuously give away free copies of Watchmen!)

The best “booth” was MacMillan, as they had First Second, Drawn & Quarterly, and the “novel graphics” line from FSG.

IDW impressed me with the scope of their line. They are starting a line of picture books written and illustrated by Hollywood artists and writers. Charming! (I read the dummy about the viking child who tries to fit in in New York City…) They also had numerous signings, second only to Andrews McMeel.

Last Gasp, as always, had “interesting” titles, but the one which caught my eye were the fifth and sixth volumes of Barefoot Gen.

A good show, with a lot of “other” publishers exhibiting comics and graphic novels.