Here is a question that many are probably already asking to themselves: will the comic book industry suffer under the current economic slowdown? Honestly, any prediction that can be made will be pure speculation. We just will not know for sure. But, keep one thing in mind…during the Great Depression Superman and Captain Marvel were selling one million plus copies a month.

Simple economics will dictate that the industry will suffer a bit of a decline. People have less money or they will be spending less. This means they may cut back on the number of issues that they purchase each month. This will have a negative effect on advertising revenue which will cause even further declines in cash flow to the publishing companies.  However, a completely alternate reality may develop as well.

One of the reasons Superman sold as well as it did during the depression was the same reason Hollywood films made a fortune during the same time period. That is, economic downturns do not exactly work wonders for making people feel upbeat. As a result, they will look for escapism from such a less than desirable existence.  The magic world of comics and graphic novels can hopefully provide a much needed diversion from the trials, troubles, and tribulations that will be inherent in real life.

Hopefully, we won't see too many more books that cost $3.99 or else the industry will find itself in an incredibly precarious situation. The industry has flirted with pricing itself out of the market for well over a decade.  If it can resist the urge to further jack up prices it will probably survive the down cycle provided the cycle eventually stabilizes.

And, yes, people will need the comic book industry more than ever in the next few months. We all need a place to escape to as the real world just ain't what is used to be.