An ICv2 Release. The ICv2 White Paper, which will be presented at the ICV2 Insider Talks at New York Comic Con, will focus on the shifting dynamics of the comics and graphic novel market in 2026.
ICv2’s Milton Griepp, who will present the White Paper at the Insider Talks, gave a preview of what it contains. “Last year we looked at the unexpected changes that were transforming the comics and graphic novel market in 2025,” he said. “In 2026, the market built on those changes, but new dynamics are emerging, leading to new interpretations of the 2025 data and projections for the future.”
The ICv2 White Paper, presented annually at the ICv2 Insider Talks, features the charts and graphs that show the state of the comics and graphic novel market in all its channels. This year, that presentation will highlight trends that have implications for the Future of Fandom, the 2026 theme of the Talks.
The ICv2 White Paper will not only focus on long-term channel, format and overall trends (including a deeper dive into manga), but also include 2026 trend analysis through the first two-thirds of the year, the top sellers in comic stores for Summer 2025, and market share info.
The ICv2 White Paper has been a consistent feature of the ICv2 conferences at New York Comic Con since the first event in 2006 (see “ICv2 Announces Conference at NYCC”), helping the build not only snapshots of the market each year, but also the long-term trends that drive change.
The ICv2 Insider Talks: The Future of Fandom, an industry event for business and creative professionals, will be held from 3:00-6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 8 in the dramatic 4th Floor River Pavilion at the Javits Center, in association with New York Comic Con.
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 and the full schedule, see “ICv2 Insider Talks at New York Comic Con.”
ICv2 White Paper (5:30-6:00 p.m.)
ICv2 CEO Milton Griepp will present the ICv2 White Paper, with the charts and graphs that show the state of the comics and graphic novel market across channels, looking at the trends that will drive fandom into the future.
Milton Griepp is the founder and President of Eisner-nominated ICv2, since 2001 the undisputed industry authority on the business of fandom. He is a 50-year veteran of the business and has managed companies that sold over $1 billion in fan products as CEO of Capital City Distribution and Next Planet Over. He also served on the board of comiXology during its key development until its sale to Amazon, and was Vice President and board member of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
These companies make this event possible:
Co-Sponsor: GlobalComix
GlobalComix is built to grow the digital market for comics and manga. We help publishers reach new audiences and new markets, translating and distributing their catalogs and building fandom around their IP. True to our name, we connect comics cultures across borders, helping stories travel between East and West and reach readers they otherwise might not. With 300,000+ titles, day-and-date releases, and a rapidly growing roster of publishers, we’re building the category at global scale.
Sponsor: Mad Cave Studios
Mad Cave Studios, established in 2014, is an independent publisher of comic books, graphic novels, and more. Mad Cave’s catalog includes a mix of licensed, creator-owned, and original works, created by a diverse cast of storytellers. Mad Cave Studios is the parent company to imprints Maverick (young adult), Nakama Press (manga, manhua, manhwa, and other international voices), and Papercutz (middle grade/kids). Visit them online at madcavestudios.com.
About ICv2
ICv2 is where the business of fandom, 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 business of fandom, 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
