Word is out that Mark Waid is now a partial owner of Alter Ego Comics (store’s website) in Indiana. I have delivered many commentaries about how digital comics hurt, and will continue to hurt, the comic book industry. I have also stated in the past that I am a fan of Mark Waid’s work and have a deep respect for the man as I believe he wants the best for the industry as a whole. What are my thoughts about him now being a comic book store owner?
Mark Waid: Creator, blogger, digital comics proponent, comic book store owner
What is Going On?
Mark Waid, and his partner in life, Christy Blanch, have purchased equal shares into Alter Ego Comics, which they will now co-own with Jason Pierce. Waid has stated on his blog that Blanch and himself will not be silent partners, but will be working in the store along with continuing the endeavors they already work on. Their goal is to be work hard and to expand the store.
Is a Retail Store a Conflict of Interest for Mark Waid
Some might claim that owning a retail store might pose a conflict of interest for Mark Waid since he is such a strong proponent for digital comics. I actually don’t see this as a conflict of interest. To my knowledge, Waid has never stated that digital comics should be the only method of reading comics. Instead, he promotes the idea of digital and physical comics both having a place in the market and that each can complement and promote the other.
Future Benefits for Waid
As a comic book creator, Mark Waid will now have more of an opportunity to see what fans are looking for up close. He will also be able to see what retailers face on a daily basis in the industry. This helps two-fold.
From the creative aspect, he gets to speak to “the end user.” Typically, creators only have the opportunity to speak with readers directly at conventions. Even then, conversations sometimes have to be rushed due to lines at a creator’s booth. During slow times at the store, Mark has the opportunity to spend extra time speaking to his fans and speaking to those who do not read comics he creates to find out why.
From the ownership aspect, Mark will be able to prove or disprove his own theory as to digital comics helping print comics. Personally, I believe he will see shortcomings in his theory when he realizes that if a person purchases a digital comic, it typically means that a retailer will lose out and only the publisher and sites such as ComiXology benefit. As an owner, he will have a reason to ask “how will digital comics benefit my store?” or “how will digital comics benefit my customers” instead of how a creator might ask “how will digital comics benefit the industry.” I believe the difference in questions will eventually give him a better understanding about why comic book stores are uncomfortable at best, and afraid at worst, of digital comics and their eventual chipping away of the physical stores and of comic book collecting.
Future Benefits for Alter Ego Comics
I look forward to seeing how the inclusion of Waid and Blanch in the ownership of Alter Ego Comics, and the expansion of the store, turns out. As someone who loves the industry, I am happy to see positive changes, no matter where they are in the industry. At the very least, I would expect the store to become the top seller in the country of titles which Mark Waid works on. Who is a better salesperson for a comic than one of the people who created it? If not, I have something to tease him about the next time our paths cross. I have a feeling I will be stopping in the next time I am in Indiana.
