ComicRetailers

Mile High Comics did not have a great San Diego Comic-Con this year. According to a report written by company president Chuck Rozanski, Mile High stood to lose about $10,000 just by having a booth (technically, seven booths) at this year's show. That's a massive amount of money for a retailer, even one as huge as Mile High. The loss was so big that Rozanski threatened to never come back to Comic-Con again. Ultimately, Rozanski decided that he will come back next year as an "emotional response" to an outpouring of support from fans and comics pros, but his major problem with the show remains the same: Publisher exclusives.

The brick and mortar retailers that make up the comic book industry's direct market are struggling. Though the reasons for this struggle stem from a cocktail of factors -- evolving consumer habits, online piracy, rising cover prices, distribution difficulties and an overall uncertain economy -- it's clear that the current cornerstone of comic book sales is in the midst of change...