An ICv2 Release. At the ICv2 Insider Talks at New York Comic Con, Image Comics cofounder and toy entrepreneur Todd McFarlane will sit down with ICv2 and Forbes columnist Rob Salkowitz to discuss the arc of his career, the challenges and opportunities of today’s market vs. when he first emerged, and the future of creator-driven brands and businesses.
This ICv2 Insider Talks session will be held as comic creators are increasingly becoming brands, extending their reach beyond their personal creations to expand into supporting creations by others, widening the products based on their creations, and forming enterprises.
Recent creators on that path include Robert Kirkman, whose Skybound Entertainment has raised money via equity crowdfunding (see “Skybound Crowdfunding Equity“), had great success in television, and publishes a family of comic titles by Kirkman and others; James Tynion IV, whose Tiny Onion production house, supported by seed funding, is launching projects across publishing and media (see “James Tynion IV Launches Tiny Onion“); and Mark Millar, who sold Millarworld to Netflix and remains active in the creative expression of his properties (see “Millarworld Acquired by Netflix“).
Before all of those, McFarlane created a new road map for creators seeking to control their own destinies and build something bigger than their work by turning his creative vision into a brand powerful enough to draw in fans across comics, toys and media for over three decades. The first session at the ICv2 Insider Talks will shine light on his multi-decade path.
The ICv2 Insider Talks: The New World of Comics, an industry event for business and creative professionals, will be held from 5:15-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 9, in the dramatic 4th Floor River Pavilion at the Javits Center, in association with New York Comic Con.
The Creator as Brand (5:30-6:00) features these two key insiders:
Todd McFarlane is a legendary comic book creator known for his groundbreaking work in comics, toys, entertainment, and music. As the co-founder and President of Image Comics, McFarlane introduced the world to SPAWN, becoming one of the best-selling comic series worldwide. He is also the CEO of McFarlane Toys, a leader in the action figure industry, known for pushing boundaries of detail and quality.
Rob Salkowitz is an Eisner Award-nominated writer about the business of comics, entertainment and pop culture for Forbes, ICv2, Publishers Weekly, Wired and other publications. He’s the author of five books including Comic-Con and the Business of Pop Culture and teaches in the graduate school of communication at the University of Washington in Seattle.
If you are a business or creative professional and would like a free invitation to the event, email Conferences@ICv2.com. You must also have a New York Comic Con badge in one of their pro categories to attend.
If you are press and would like to cover the event, email Conferences@ICv2.com.
For more on the ICv2 Insider Talks, see “ICv2 Insider Talks at New York Comic Con.”
These companies make this event possible:
Co-Sponsor: GlobalComix
GlobalComix is a comics platform for the modern era, dedicated to reshaping the landscape of graphic fiction creation, distribution, and consumption on a global scale. Focused on providing tools to grow and succeed, GlobalComix is on a tireless mission to create the best platform in the world to publish, discover, and read comics. GlobalComix empowers creators with the tools they need to reach new audiences, monetize their work, and engage with fans in novel ways. For readers, GlobalComix offers a diverse, immersive, and engaging reading experience that spans genres and geographies.
Co-Sponsor: Universal Distribution
Universal Distribution is a leading North American distributor of comic books, games, trading cards and collectibles. With a strong presence in both Canada and the U.S., Universal is dedicated to supporting retailers and publishers by offering a broad catalog, and exceptional service. Through recent expansions, including the acquisition of Alliance Game Distributors, Universal continues to strengthen its role as a key partner in the hobby industry.
Sponsor: Mad Cave Studios
Mad Cave Studios, established in 2014, is an independent publisher committed to providing worldwide entertainment across an array of genres. Mad Cave’s catalog includes a captivating blend of licensed, creator-owned, and original works, masterfully created by a diverse cast of storytellers focused on cultivating impactful character-driven narratives. Mad Cave Studios is the parent company to Maverick, Nakama Press, and Papercutz, enriching the literary landscape for readers of all ages.
About ICv2
ICv2 is where the business of geek culture, including comics, graphic novels, manga, hobby games, and merch, comes together around breaking business news, executive interviews, reviews, opinion, and sales charts and trend reports on its website, ICv2.com, in its magazine, Internal Correspondence Annual, and at events like this. For the people on the front lines of the geek culture business, staying ahead of the trends isn’t something that can be left to chance – it’s a basic necessity for being successful. ICv2 is the #1 source of news and information for the thought leaders at the forefront of change.Source: ICv2
