One of the most intriguing announcements during C2E2 was the announcement by IDW Publishing of the expansion of their Cartoon Network agreement to include comics from Powerpuff Girls, Ben 10, and Samurai Jack. The company is dedicated to expanding its selection for children and these three comics are poised to take the company to the next level in sales.
IDW Publishing is hitting multiple home runs with the new selections coming out of their agreement with Cartoon Network.
IDW Publishing Adding to My Little Pony Success
As of this writing, the March sales rankings are the latest released by Diamond. During March, My Little Pony was represented three times in the Top 100 listing with My Little Pony Mircro Series #2 Rainbow Dash (at #91), My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic #5 (at #65), and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic #4 (at #55). Just think about the number of spots IDW Publishing can take over in the Diamond Top 100 with three more children’s titles which all have adult cult followings.
When?
Powerpuff Girls is scheduled to start hitting stores in September while Samurai Jack is scheduled for October and Ben 10 is scheduled for November. I would expect the marketing minds at IDW Publishing to work overtime in the months leading up to these releases.
Why is This Different?
Marvel, DC Comics, Image, and many of the smaller companies are all testing the waters of the growing children’s market. IDW Publishing is chuckling at them while jumping in the pool with three big titles. “Babies” titles like those from the Big 2 are going to be inviting to children of comic book fans as the young become more interested in the characters their parents love in baby or adolescent form. This does not do anything, though, to bring readership from outside of the comic book market circle.
IDW Publishing hit a home run with My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic because it invited in the fans of the property along with the children of comic book readers. A circle was grown to include people who had never been in comic book stores. The same will be done with the Powerpuff Girls, Samurai Jack, and Ben 10. I fully expect these titles to being as many new adult comic book readers as new young comic book readers. I also fully expect the other comic book publishing companies will get nervous when they lose they are losing market share to IDW Publishing.
To learn more about IDW Publishing, please follow this link.
