An ICv2 Release. ICv2 will host an industry event for business and creative professionals, the ICv2 Insider Talks: The New World of Comics and Comic Industry Social Hour on Thursday, October 9, in the dramatic 4th Floor River Pavilion at the Javits Center, in association with New York Comic Con.
Since the first New York Comic Con in 2006, ICv2 has hosted industry conferences in conjunction with the show, bringing together the leaders of the comics and graphic novel industry to discuss the issues of the day. This year, the focus is on the new world of comics and the trends that are shaping it.
“The last year has seen the biggest changes in the comics business since the Covid pandemic,” ICv2 CEO Milton Griepp said of this year’s topic. “Those changes include the biggest distributor bankruptcy in generations, tariff turmoil in related categories, a shifting media landscape, and new trends in the properties that are driving comic sales. It’s a new world for comics, and the ICv2 Insider Talks will bring together leaders of the business to help us understand and thrive in the midst of change.”
Leading up to the Insider Talks, the Comic Industry Social Hour is a great opportunity to meet, mingle, and network with other leaders of the industry.
Speakers and attendees include:
- Publishers
- Distributors
- Retailers
- Digital executives
- Writers and artists
- Librarians and educators
- Licensees, licensors, and marketers
- Press
What, When and Where
What: The ICv2 Insider Talks will kick off with the Comic Industry Social Hour and registration from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., followed by two hours of programming, including the ICv2 White Paper and panelists from across the comics and graphic novel business.
When: 2:30-5:30 p.m., Thursday, October 9, 2025
Where: River Pavilion, Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York City
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.
Programming in the 3:30-5:30 window will include these sessions, and watch this space for additional announcements!
ICv2 White Paper
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 in all its channels as it transitions to the new world of comics.
Milton Griepp is the founder and President of ICv2, since 2001 the undisputed industry authority on the business of geek culture and Eisner-nominated in 2025. He is a 45-year veteran of the geek culture business, and has managed companies that have sold over $1 billion in retail value of geek culture products as CEO of Capital City Distribution and Next Planet Over. He also served on the board of comiXology for five years until its sale to Amazon, and was Vice President and board member of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
Comic Distribution in the Post-Diamond Era
With the bankruptcy filing of Diamond Comic Distributors and sale of its businesses, the landscape for comics and graphic novel distribution in the U.S. has dramatically changed. Universal Distribution, which acquired Diamond’s Alliance Game Distributors division at auction, is a comic distributor in Canada and plans to begin offering comics in the U.S. as well. Milton Griepp of ICv2 and Universal CEO Angelo Exarhakos engage in a one-on-one discussion on the comics and graphic novel market and Universal’s plans for the future.
Angelo Exarhakos is the CEO of Universal Distribution, a leading North American distributor specializing in comic books, games, trading cards and collectibles. Under his leadership, Universal has expanded its U.S. footprint with the acquisition of Alliance Game Distributors, strengthening its commitment to supporting independent retailers and publishers across North America.
Milton Griepp is the founder and President of ICv2, since 2001 the undisputed industry authority on the business of geek culture and Eisner-nominated in 2025. He is a 45-year veteran of the geek culture business, and has managed companies that have sold over $1 billion in retail value of geek culture products as CEO of Capital City Distribution and Next Planet Over. He also served on the board of comiXology for five years until its sale to Amazon, and was Vice President and board member of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
Bringing Big New Audiences to Comics: LitRPG and More
Ebooks and webnovels serve as the source of many webtoon properties, some of which make it to print, but there’s another path to physical comics for the big audiences for ebooks or the audiobooks based on them. The LitRPG genre is the tip of the spear for this phenomenon, and Vault Comics, with new majority owner ebook and audiobook publisher Aethon, is leading the way with key properties coming to print. Eisner Award-winning journalist Heidi MacDonald explores this new IP pipeline with executives from the companies.
Damian Wassel is the CEO and co-founder of Vault Comics, where he is known for publishing books like Post Malone’s BIG RIG, Barbaric, The Autumnal, Money Shot, and more. Together with Adrian Wassel, and their partners at Aethon Books, he positioned Vault as the first comics publisher to break into the LitRPG space, signing deals for original graphic novels for Dungeon Crawler Carl, He Who Fights With Monsters, and more. Prior to co-founding Vault, he worked as an educator for a decade, teaching at every level from middle-school to college. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Michigan.
Aethon Books owner and President Steve Beaulieu is an IPPY award-winning author (writing as Jaime Castle), editor, and producer. Before founding Aethon Books, he worked as a pastor and graphic artist. He has worked extensively with numerous businesses and corporations, serving as both a designer and creative director. He is an obsessive audiophile, listening to nearly 200 books a year. His first love has always been fantasy; he’s an avid Dungeons & Dragons player, lover of all things superhero, father of two, and husband of one.
Heidi MacDonald is the editor-in-chief of Eisner Award-winning website ComicsBeat.com, and KComicsBeat.com and a contributing editor to Publishers Weekly. She has edited comics for DC Comics, Disney, First Second Books, Z2 and more. You can hear her bi-weekly on the More to Come podcast.
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.
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