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The Global Insight

Where do comic book stores get their stock?

Author

James Williams

Updated on February 28, 2026

distributors
Most comic book store owners obtain their inventory through distributors. Distributors work directly with publishers, acting as a sort of middleman between your store and the publishers. There are distributors for big publishing companies, as well as distributors that work with indie artists on smaller scale projects.

How do I start a comic book business?

Steps to Starting a Comic Book Store

  1. Step 1: Write your Business Plan.
  2. Step 2: Form a Business Entity.
  3. Step 3: Name the Business.
  4. Step 4: Select your Location.
  5. Step 5: Apply for Business Licenses and Permits.
  6. Step 6: Open Accounts with Distributors.
  7. Step 7: Find Financing.
  8. Step 8: Open a Business Bank Account.

How much do comic book sellers make?

The median comic book artist salary is $36,500, according to Payscale. But it’s rare for a comic book artist to land a salaried position and it’s far more common for these gigs to be project-based.

What is the profit margin on comic books?

While stores can get 35% to 57% margin on the comics they buy from distributors, most stores are at the 50% range. Add to that the cost of shipping (about 8 cents per comic) and possibly bags and boards (another 10 cents or so) and the margin shrinks a little bit.

Do comic shops make money?

A comic book store makes money by purchasing comic books and and reselling them for a profit. You must know the fair market prices for rare comic books and you must buy them for less than the going prices in order to resell them for a profit. Additionally, a comic book store can also make money by selling online.

Are comic book sales declining?

2020 comics sales were up 6% over 2019, coming in at $1.28 billion, according to a new joint estimate by ICv2’s Milton Griepp and Comichron’s John Jackson Miller. Graphic novel sales were up 9.1%, while periodical sales declined 19.7%.

Do comic books make money?

Comic books are kind of a big deal these days. Total revenue for the comic book publishing industry in 2018 was estimated to be $865 million, and that’s not counting peripheral sources of income from merchandise, or high-profile movie deals.

Who is the richest comic book writer?

1 David Choe He is best known for his work titled Slow Jams that he self-published and then donated at a 1998 Comic-Con. Choe is one of the wealthiest comic book writers with an extraordinary net worth of about $200 million.

How do comic books make money?

Naturally, the most obvious way to profit from a comic book is by selling copies of your own. There are a slew of free desktop publishing apps that can handle the production end of the equation. Use a print-on-demand service like Lulu, IngramSpark or Ka-Blam Digital to crank out the actual product.

How much do comic books cost 2020?

According to comic book site Newsarama, the average price of comic books is $2.99, with larger issues priced at $3.99 or $4.99 depending on the size of the issue.

How to start your own comic book store?

Set up a website dedicated to comics and illustrated novels. Include information and updates on the store, new releases, sales and discounts, as well as comics news, reviews and blogs. Contact comic book reviewers in local media, including newspapers, weeklies, public access cable and radio, and let them know about your new store.

How to set up a comic book pull list?

How to Set Up a Pull List See, I told you I’d get around to talking about how to buy comics. If you need to, find a comic shop near you. FreeComicBookDay.com has a store locator which can show you the closest shops by zip code. Figure out what titles you want to include in your pull list.

How can I make money selling comic books?

You must know the fair market prices for rare comic books and you must buy them for less than the going prices in order to resell them for a profit. Additionally, a comic book store can also make money by selling online.

How are comic book stores different from other stores?

Comic book stores sell comic books and related paraphernalia, such as action figures, models, posters, and more. These comic book shops differ from larger retail bookstores in that they offer a wider and more exclusive selection of comic books and feature rare collectibles. Comic book stores are usually defined by their community business style.