So a great introductory speech by Steve Wacker, I expected no less, touched on many necessary themes. Lots of applause lines. I see Brad Winderbaum and David Abdo in the room and they are smiling. #nycc #retailerday

I want us to be the company that does something new and unexpected with comics that you can go and hand sell, says Wacker. #nycc #retailerday

Finally, "The direct market is dead" is something Wacker has heard every year since 1982. Every week people come into a comic shop hungry to find something to read and that's a great power. It's Marvel's job to give them books that they can do that with. #nycc #retailerday

Marvel wants to make their books easier to order, and to find ways to share risk, and be honest - if a book is a five copy book they will say it. #nycc #retailerday

In 2026 there is no house style, says Marvel.

Manga did something that other publsihers need to note. "They made them affordable, they made them compact."

(Wacker veering dangerously close to the Satisfying Chunk Theory.)

Marvel's sales team wants to break a lot of eggs #nycc #retailerday

Hard truths were spoken at the most recent summit, says Wacker, and none of this happens without the people who make the comics.

"We cannot compete with the feeling a creator gets from owning their own work. But I think we can make an offer that no one else can, #nycc #retailerday

Marvel covers should be as memorable as that issues of Marvel Two in One that changed many lives (real) so they will be more clearly marketing and noted. Then Wacker turns to the MCU connection. #nycc #retailerday

Wacker asks, "Does Marvel pblish too many comics?" he says there are many reasons to publish a lot of books but they need to ask why a book exists, who is excited about it, and more. "What that mean is fewer books. What it might mean is more time for a book to succeed" #nycc #retailerday

Steve Wacker is up! He talks about his past working as a comic shop clerk, including at a shop where JIm Lee shopped, and the Golden Apple, and how when the disastrous Marvel Mart promotions game out, Bill and the crew spent the night tearing them out of the comics. #nycc #retailerday

The Lab Press is still here! Hadn’t heard from them in a while but they are publishing new deluxe graphic novels as well as new compact editions of their previous books. #nycc #retailerday

Todd is doing his town hall bot now and it’s amazing he praises Dc and new Marvel regime for keeping on allowing retailers to have 40 Year careers. #nycc #retailerday

“The question I’ve asked for decades, is who is the sober person in the room?” Asks Todd McFarlane, using the metaphor of people drinking too much for the current comics boom. “You need to be good stewards.” #nycc #retailerday

And now the Todd-father! “Is it new money or people just spending the same money,” he asks of the retailers. “When things go too good, you can get drunk.” #nycc #retailerday

Stephanie Williams is a great example of a creators who uses all the tools available, and understands the connection between social media and stores AND the creators responsibility to make books that connect with readers. #nycc #retailerday

Stephanie PHillips is up to give the Keynote speech, which.....I was not aware of until someone told me she was doing it. Giving a great speech about the enthusiasm (again) that new readers are showing and all of the ways that creators and shops can connect. #nycc #retailerday

I skipped over the DC presentation because things are now moving fast! Stephanie Williams and Cody Siglar came up to talk about the Vixen and Static relaunches, really just two creators talking about their enthusiasm and the whole DC team's enthusiasm for these great characters. #nycc #retailerday

Dark Horse is up with EIC Dave Marshall and a commitment to ongoing series, more focus on launches. New: Barbie Baldur's Gate and also compact editions in SAME DC FORMAT Also 10th ann. (!) of Black Hammer. Sorry the light is suddenly creating moire patterns on my new phone camera. #nyc #retailerday

OKay skipping ahead bit to right now, Dark Horse's EIC Dave Marshall is spekaing talking about their publishing plans: more ongoing series, including D&D and MOTU. They will have a sharper focus on series launches.

ALSO COMPACT EDITIONS IN DC FORMAT. #retailerday #nycc

Even people who are suppsoed to be here can't hear what is being said beyond a few rows. This is annoying because I was in the same area for a giant Crunchyroll panel at AnimeNYC a few years ago and the sound was great all the way to the restroom. Javits, don't do comics dirty! #nycc #retailerday

However I am sad that I did not get to cover the presentations by Mad Cave, Harper Alley, Rebellion, Bad Idea, Yen, Abrams, Dynamite, Image and many more. Most of the information was known but would be great for readers to know as well. Also the sound here is horrible. #nycc #retailerday