Brian Hibbs

Brian Hibbs has owned and operated Comix Experience in San Francisco since 1989, was a founding member of the Board of Directors of ComicsPRO, has sat on the Board of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and has been an Eisner Award judge. His long-running column Tilting at Windmills, offering a veteran retailer's perspective on the comic book industry, ran on Comic Book Resources from 2008 to 2016. Topics include "Why Were Retailers Afraid to Order Big on DC’s Rebirth?," "For Creator-Owned Comics, Rights Imply Responsibilities," "The Art (and Commerce) of Licensed Comics," "Corporate Comics Blues," "The Self-Strangulation of the Direct Market" and his annual analysis of BookScan statistics. His book Tilting at Windmills: A Guide Towards Successful and Ethical Comics Retailing was published in 2003.

Articles by Brian Hibbs

Why Were Retailers Afraid to Order Big on DC's "Rebirth"?

Jul 1, 2016

With full returnability offered by DC Comics, why did the majority of comic book retailers so utterly under-order "Rebirth"?

For Creator-Owned Comics, Rights Imply Responsibilities

Jun 3, 2016

Retailer Brian Hibbs hits a milestone and explains why the creators behind creator-owned titles need to stick to a schedule -- any schedule.

The Art (and Commerce) of Licensed Comics

Apr 25, 2016

Brian Hibbs both defines and discusses what is and isn't a licensed comic book, what that means for demand, and how it affects retailers.

ComicsPRO's Astoundingly Useful Annual Meeting

Mar 21, 2016

This month Brian Hibbs checks in with all the knowledge he learned from the 2016 ComicsPRO Annual Membership Meeting in Portland.

Looking at BookScan: 2015

Mar 4, 2016

This month Brian Hibbs dives deep -- really deep -- into 2015 BookScan numbers, tracking comic sales and trends for the bookstore market.

Trouble on the Horizon?

Dec 18, 2015

Brian Hibbs examines what's going on with the fourth quarter crash the comic book market is experiencing right now, and how will it impact 2016.

Communication & Momentum

Oct 30, 2015

Brian Hibbs looks at the art of pitching projects to retailers, how it affects everyone's bottom line, and All-New, All-Different Marvel Week 3.

In the Dark (Knight)

Sep 11, 2015

This month, Brian Hibbs examines his approach to DC Comics' "Dark Knight III: The Master Race" and the promise and peril of Local Comic Shop Day.

DC After Bob Wayne, Marvel's "All-New, All-Different" Relaunch

Jul 17, 2015

This month, Brian Hibbs examines changes in DC Comics policy post-Bob Wayne, and what might happen with Marvel's October relaunch.

Kicked at the Start and Other Thoughts

Jun 19, 2015

This month Brian Hibbs discusses a number of topics, from Kickstarter to "All-New, All-Different Marvel" and an ordering meeting at his shop.

Chaos in the Multiverse

Mar 20, 2015

Brian Hibbs look at the order challenges for "Convergence" and "Secret Wars" and why both happening at the same time is a risk for the market.

BookScan Numbers Show Big Book Market Growth for Comics in 2014

Feb 27, 2015

Comics publishers saw growth nearly across the board in the 2014 bookstore market, with Marvel, Archie and more making impressive gains.

Too Much Competition

Jan 9, 2015

This month Brian Hibbs examines the problem with too many titles being produced from the perspective of consumer behavior and how retailers order.

Successful Signings

Dec 5, 2014

This month, Brian Hibbs explains the proper way to organize signings, with examples from his recent "Saga" HC event with Brian K. Vaughan.

Those Who Do Not Know History...

Oct 17, 2014

This month, Brian Hibbs worries about whether gaming the solicitation process and what that means for the health of the industry's sales.

Round and Round and Round (and Round)

Sep 19, 2014

This month Brian Hibbs talks about the pain of the monthly pain retailers have to deal with when it comes to order forms and guessing what will sell.

The Force-Fed Market

Aug 1, 2014

This month Brian Hibbs looks at the many problems facing the Direct Market, including how some publishers are making it more difficult for retailers.

Another Penny Drops

Jun 20, 2014

Brian Hibbs talks about the art of ordering comics, how costs come into play and how the most worthless coin -- the penny -- is kind of worthless.

Reaching the Summit

May 23, 2014

Brian Hibbs offers his takeaways from the Diamond Retailer Summit in Las Vegas and gives his thoughts on Bob Wayne leaving DC Comics.

The Empire Strikes Back

Apr 17, 2014

Brian Hibbs weighs in on Amazon's purchase of comiXology and what the potential ramifications are for the future of printed comics.

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