There is less than a week left in this year, so we should check out how 2022 went!
On some levels, 2022 continued an upward spiral for the comics industry. We saw new companies starting—including Frank Miller Presents—and it doesn’t seem like any of the established ones closed their doors although some, like Valiant, are down to one comic per month. I was sorry to hear about Aftershock’s filing for bankruptcy–hope that clears up and the company can move forward!
Marvel remains at the top of the heap, with DC wondering what to do next, it seems. With the takeover of Warner Bros. and the creation of Warner Bros. Discovery, things at DC haven’t settled down yet. The whole fiasco with Henry Cavill—one week saying he’s Superman, then not long after that, having to say he isn’t—sadly represents what the entire company is going through. It’s awful, and it’s tough for me, a long-time DC fan, to watch. I don’t know if James Gunn was the right choice for the DC entertainment business, but I’m hoping they will actually have to lay out a plan or two soon!
Image is still the #3 company, and some fans still like it that way! The stores that love Image keep promoting their books above everyone else, and I guess that’s a good thing! Mr. Lemire is getting his comics coming out pretty regularly, it seems like! At least I’m having an easier time buying his new issues!
I actually saw a few new comics shops opening up, and that’s always a good sign! On the flip side, we saw more stores close their doors, and some of them were the best around and will be missed. I hope new groups rise up to fill those empty spaces in the comics communities!
In 2022, Indie comics still continued to rise. There remain just too many to mention, but it was a good year for the smaller comics producers as they kept turning out quality storytelling! I know that certain companies (like a so-called “House of Ideas”) are always checking out which Indie creators they would like to bring on board next!
Crowdfunding continues to help people outside the “Big Three” create and tell their stories. I know I’m contributing more to them each year! We recently saw ZOOP.GG join the ranks of Kickstarter and IndieGoGo. The more there are, the merrier we comics readers will be, I think!
With big changes happening in social media, it doesn’t look like we’re going to get those companies all worked out anytime soon. Twitter, once the darling of many, is now in new hands, and some creators are looking to other social media providers to make up the slack. Stay tuned on this front!
Speaking about social media, in 2022, that section of our lives continued to be more and more important, particularly when it comes to getting the word out about comics we like (and even don’t like) and upcoming projects. I can’t see this changing anytime soon!
Interestingly, the distribution part of the industry keeps shifting. Lunar continued to rise while Diamond once again lost several companies. Penguin as a distributor of Marvel’s comics has risen up with many store owners. Even more stores are having to shop around, setting up accounts in several companies rather than utilizing only one. That’s a GOOD thing, I believe, although it seems to be having a negative impact on some store owners.
As far as local comics shops, comics-related products like statues and action figures continue to move to the big box stores. Walmart keeps getting boxes and boxes of McFarlane action figures while your LCS needs your commitment before they can even order them. Then it takes months and months before they arrive, so many fans already have bought them before your LCS gets them! What’s a store owner to do?
Paper shortages continue to haunt comics companies, though. Many books are still running later than expected, and I know I speak for many fans when I say that we need to fix that, and soon!
As far as the storytelling goes in comics, I believe we’ve reached a plateau of “good, but not great” books to read. I do believe we have great women creators around as well as great men telling stories, but sometimes it just seems that the industry doesn’t know what it wants to be when it grows up. On many levels, fans are as divided as creators as to what kinds of characters and stories we should have access to. I just hope something new and great comes along that grabs our attention and won’t let go! Yeah!
Probably the biggest move forward in 2022 took place regarding conventions, which began in earnest since late 2021. For instance, I went to NYCC this year and enjoyed being back there! Both bigger and smaller cons are back, and I’ve even seen some new conventions start up in the last few months. Many creators are thrilled to be hawking their products to fans over theIR tables, and signings are becoming a regular event at many local shops.
Whenever there are massive changes happening in the entertainment industry, there’s going to be a lot of debate about them! One recent one that is still being talked about is the use of artificial intelligence in creating art. I realize that’s a time-saver for some people who sell art, but I don’t think the new “creations” are all that good, so I have no interest in it at all… at least, not right now.
I briefly mentioned social media already, but I’m seeing a huge shift from Twitter to different platforms, and that includes Mastadon and HIVE, among others. Others are relocating to Instagram or other places, but maybe I’m just old, so I still favor Facebook. HIVE had serious problems recently because there was a big influx of new members, so it apparently crashed for a while. Maybe someone will create a comics-only social media place?
The only time I ever watch “broadcast” television these days has to do with sports, including football. I’m not THAT big of a fan, though, so I don’t mind using social media to keep up with scores as they change. I don’t feel it’s urgent to watch the contests as they happen! We don’t even have “broadcast” channels at our house any longer!
Thursday has been a HUGE day for me when it comes to watching programs, though! Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Prodigy are must-watch TV as soon as I wake up each Thursday. One thing that’s been difficult for me to adjust to is the too-short 10-episode seasons! I just get my interest a-flying, and it’s over! I find myself asking, “Where did the show I love go?” I just read the first Strange New Worlds comic, and it was great! It might help me hold on until that second season FINALLY gets here!
The CW is in its dying throes, apparently, with The Flash ending after an abbreviated season soon. Superman and Lois won’t be back for months! I’m going to miss those superhero shows! I even liked that mini-series based on those shows that DC released this year!
Next week, I’ll explore more about where I hope the comics industry will head in 2023. I always hope that comics and the industry that makes them will continue to evolve and grow as an entertainment avenue.
Comics and other entertainment industries are really in flux right now, though. I have so many “plus” networks on my iPhone that I forget which one is which sometimes!
I do think we saw progress in 2022, though. I want to see even more advancement in the coming year, though! More, I say, more!
What do you think? What did you see happen in 2022 regarding comics that encouraged you? What took place in 2022 that you wish hadn’t happened? What books were your favorites this year? What ones fell out of favor in 2022? Whatever your thoughts, be sure to share them in the space below!
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Wayne Hall creates the Wayne's Comics Podcast. He’s interviewed Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, John Layman, Kyle Higgins, Phil Hester, Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray, David Petersen, Christos Gage, Mike Grell, and Matt Kindt. On this site each week, he writes his "Comics Portal" column (general comics comments and previews) and reviews comics.