How Digital Readership is Expanding the Way for Top Comic Book Grading Companies in The Industry?

The popularity of comic books has transcended generations as they are considered one of the major sources of entertainment. While large-scale internet penetration has caused a major shift in customer preferences as more customers are opting for e-books over paperbacks, there has been renewed interest among young readers in printed books.

According to data by NPD BookScan, sales of graphic novels increased by 1.8% in 2022 as compared to the previous year. When compared with the sales in pre-COVID-19 year, 2019, the overall sales of these books grew by a whopping 110.2%, with Japanese Manga accounting for a large chunk of these sales. These aspects are anticipated to fuel this industry in the coming years as the trend of reading comics will continue to grow.

Fortune Business Insights reveals that the market for comic book is expected to be valued at USD 22.37 billion by 2030, recording a CAGR of 4.85% during the forecast timeframe.

Fortune Business Insights™ Profiles Top 08 Comic Book Companies

1. Marvel Entertainment, LLC

The U.S.-based Marvel Entertainment, LLC is one of the leading designers, manufacturers, and suppliers of a wide range of comic books, licensing, DVD/home videos, feature films, television shows, toy products, and video games. Marvel’s range of comics includes Spiderman, the Avengers, Alien, Dark Web, Punisher, Venom, Star Wars, Strange, Wakanda, Hulk, and others. Some of its best-selling digital comics include Original Sin, Age of Ultron, and Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe.

December 2022: Marvel Studios announced that it would release a documentary on Disney+, a premium video streaming platform, based on comic legend Stan Lee in 2023. The documentary would include a montage of Lee's cameos in films that are set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Lee is the co-creator of several widely popular superheroes, such as Spiderman and the Hulk.

2. Embracer Group

Embracer Group is a Sweden-based firm specializing in console, mobile & board games, PC, and related media. The company owns and controls over 850 franchises and approximately 135 game development studios globally.

December 2021: Embracer Group announced that it acquired Darkhorsemedia, a U.S.-based comic book publishing company.

3. Image Comics

Image Comics is a leading comic book and graphic novel publisher based in Portland, U.S. The company has a vast portfolio of comics in several genres, such as horror, superheroes, Sci-Fi, action, and fantasy, submitted by independent creators. Some of the best-selling publications and titles include Savage Dragon, Saga, Spawn, Bone, Witchblade, Invincible, The Walking Dead, Jupiter's Legacy, Radiant Black, and Kick-Ass.

September 2022: Image Comics announced that Emma Kubert, a famous comic book artist, would unveil its new adventure fantasy/action series under the Stoneheart tale in March 2023.

4. DC Entertainment

DC Entertainment is one of the most reputed and one of the top comic book companies for publishing in the market based in California, U.S. The company makes fictional superhero comics, games, movies, videos TV shows, and related merchandise. It is a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc., a New York-based entertainment and mass media company.

August 2022: DC Entertainment announced the launch of its new website named DC.com. The company allows users to create a profile to access its online comic library.

5. Archie Comics

Archie Comics is one of the most renowned independent comic book publishers based in New York, U.S. It deals in a wide range of genres, such as action-adventure, humor, and superhero characters in entertainment, including Archie, Jughead, Betty and Veronica, Josie and the Pussycats, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and the Dark Circle Comics. Archie Comics has a notable presence in television, animation, film, and music.

April 2022: Archie Comics announced its collaboration with Palm NFT Studio, a U.S.-based company specializing in cryptoart, technology, and entertainment, to introduce its Archieverse: Eclipse collection, priced at USD 66.66 each.

6. IDW Media Holdings, Inc.

IDW Media Holdings, Inc. is one of the top publishers and distributors of comics, graphic novels, and collectables in the U.S. The company is also engaged in board games, gallery showings, and television production. Its publications are available across the world at traditional retail outlets, comic book specialty stores, and e-book or digital distributor channels. Its segments mainly include IDW Entertainment, IDW Games, the San Diego Comic Art Gallery, and Top Shelf Productions.

April 2022: IDW Media declared that it would continue to expand and innovate its original content strategy by introducing graphic novels and comic books from famous artists, storytellers, and illustrators. It began publishing these projects every month starting July 2022, offering a selection of genres, including supernatural horror, science fiction, crime thrillers, and epic fantasy.

7. Rebellion Developments Ltd.

Rebellion Developments Ltd. is a U.K.-based video game developer specializing in movie production, computer & console video games, and comics & books publishing. The company also produces gaming machines and platforms for retailers and wholesalers. Some of the popular characters from its comic books include Rogue Trooper and Judge Dredd.

February 2021: Rebellion announced its list of comic book specials for 2021, made available at stores and newsagents.s

8. DMG Entertainment

DMG Entertainment is a California-based media and entertainment company that provides financial aid for the production of entertainment content and events. The firm produces entertainment content, including television drama and motion pictures. Its Valiant Comics segment features over 2,000 characters.

January 2018: DMG Entertainment revealed that it acquired Valiant Entertainment, a U.S.-based comic book publisher. The latter is known for introducing characters such as Harbinger Shadowman, Bloodshot, Ninjak, Archer & Armstrong, and Faith.

Future of the Comic Book Industry

The comic book space is predicted to expand rapidly in the coming years as more publishers are opening their digital platforms to expand their readership. As more customers are getting better access to the internet, they have the freedom of trying out new genres. The COVID-19 pandemic has also played a vital role in increasing the online readership by many folds as more people switched to online reading to keep themselves entertained while being confined at home. These factors will create a favorable environment for this industry to flourish.