Comic Book Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Digital, Non-Digital), By Format (Hard Copy, E-Books, Audiobooks), By Genre (Science-Fiction, Manga, Superhero, Non-fiction), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

Report Overview

The global comic book market size was valued at USD 7.14 billion in 2021 and is expected to attain a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5 % from 2022 to 2030. The comic book market has been driven by key factors such as rising income and interest and continuing developments in the format that have enhanced the overall reading experience. Moreover, the increasing popularity of comic book in developed and developing nations. In addition, a majority of people in the U.S. read these book every month. According to a report published by Comicsbeat, in 2021, the popularity of comic book increased multifold, with sales up by almost 70% as compared to combined sales of 2018 and 2019.

However, The COVID-19 pandemic predictably damaged the comics industry across the globe.  The comic book industry supply chain is facing several challenges, including truck driver shortages and lack of freight capacity, warehouse labor shortages, congested ports, and extremely high shipping container costs. Independent booktores shuttered their doors and feared the worst. These stores already operated on slim margins. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a prolonged period of closure has not only shifted consumer habits toward online buying but has also eroded the communities that they had worked so hard to foster, which is boosting the market growth over the forecast period.

Comic book have emerged as a significant part of book publishing and have been acknowledged by librarians and educators as mainstream reading for children and young adults, which is expected to accelerate market growth during the forecast period. Over the last decade, the global comic book market has experienced substantial changes and has been moving in new directions. The growth of the commissioning process is supported by a new generation of smart editors. Marketing, publicity, and sales & distribution—the three key elements involved in book commissioning, have all evolved in ways that benefit the market.

Comic book have persisted through decades of change in mediums of entertainment. Kids around the world have grown up reading comics like Tintin, Asterix, Spiderman, and Teen Titans, regardless of the digital wave crashing against the relatively scarce readership of literature. However, considering the massive fan base of giants like Marvel Comics and DC Comics, it is safe to say that most people have grown up reading comics at one point or another. These factor are driving the market growth over the last few years.

Moreover, the rising demand for the comic book among children and adults has surged enormously during years 2021 across the globe. For instance, according to the survey conducted by the leading decision intelligence company in 2021, 38% of adults in the U.S. admitted to reading comic book. Additionally, 28% of American women reported reading these book.

The increased interest among consumers and children in online series and movies on over-the-top (OTT) platforms is hindering the market growth. The goal of OTT apps, or websites offering live stream, is to combine the scale and adaptability of the Internet with the reach and strength of conventional pay TV in order to create ample opportunities for content creators, distributors, and marketers globally. This may hamper the market growth.

Type Insights

In terms of revenue, non-digital dominated the market with a share of around 75% in 2021. The printed word has many compelling advantages over reading on a screen. It is easier on the eyes, easy to browse, and comes with a certain durability that the relatively impermanent and easily edited digital text does not have. Moreover, a study conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2021 revealed that traditional non-digital copy remained the most popular reading format among adults and children, is expected to propel the market growth over the forecast period.

Digital segment is projected to register a CAGR of 13.3% from 2022 to 2030. the increasing preference of reading e-book or downloadable book, and audio book because they negate the need to carry the book anywhere. With devices like Kindle and tablet PCs, it is possible to carry the book anywhere. Since these devices have the capacity to hold files of various sizes, it gives readers access to multiple book at a time. This may propel he growth of the market growth over the forecast period.

Format Insights

In terms of revenue, hard copy segment dominated the market with a share of around 75% in 2021. traditional print (hard copy) remained the most popular reading format among adults and children due to easy availability of the format, tactile experience, and affordability. Moreover, according to the survey, 72% of American adults aged 18 and over read a book in some format in 2020. Out of those, 37% of Americans preferred reading hard copy book.

E-Books segment is estimated to grow with the fastest CAGR of 13.4% over the forecast period. A higher supply and demand for e-book devices and genres has led to a sharp rise in yearly e-book sales revenues across the globe is accelerating the market growth. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center between January 25 and February 8, 2021, with no change in consumers of print book or audiobook, the percentage of Americans who reported reading e-book increased from 25% to 30%.

Genre Insights

The science-fiction segment contributed to the largest market share of over 35% of the comic book market revenue in 2021 and is expected to grow with a CAGR of 10.2% from 2022 to 2030. science-fiction comic book offered all-new themes, backgrounds, and experiences from creators with all-new perspectives is propelling the market growth. Moreover, science fiction genre is offering up newly groundbreaking and transgressive additions to sci-fi comics is expected to accelerate the market growth over the forecast period.

The manga segment is expected to grow with the fastest CAGR of 11.4% from 2022 to 2030. The rising interest in manga by young consumers across the globe is expected to drive the sales of manga in the country during the forecast period. According to NPD-Bookscan, a data provider for the book publishing industry that compiles point-of-sale data for book sales, stated that 24.4 million units of manga were sold in 2021, which is nearly 15 million more than in the previous year.

Regional Insights

The Asia Pacific dominated the comic book market with a share of over 55% in 2021. The region is dominated by local publishers and the demand for international comic book is anticipated to increase. However, many diverse languages are prevalent in this region and thus, the demand for book in regional languages is higher as compared to English book. The demand for e-book is also increasing owing to the penetration of high-speed Internet in countries of this region.

Europe is expected to witness a second fastest CAGR of 10.5 % from 2022 to 2030. The increasing number of titles being published each year is backed by the surge in digital publishing in different formats, the digitization of back catalogues, growing print-on-demand services, and rising self-publishing titles is propelling the market growth in the region.  The post-COVID-19 market has been gradually experiencing a significant increase in the sales of e-book and audiobook in many European countries, and in some places, publishers have chosen to release certain titles only in digital formats.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market is characterized by the presence of a few established players and new entrants. Many big players are increasing their focus towards growing trend of comic book. Players in the market are diversifying the service offering in order to maintain market share.

• For instance, in July 2022, Marvel celebrated its milestone of publishing 30,000 comics by dropping two major giveaways one by giving out 30 free comic book and by offering the brand-new Infinity Series Avengers Unlimited on Marvel Unlimited app

• For instance, in April 2022, Warner Bros completed its merger with Discovery, which in turn, acted as a great advantage to DC Comics. They help with different creatives and insights for marketing campaigns and promotions of comic book which in turn is helping in the growth of DC Comics

Some of the key players operating in global comic book market include: -

• Marvel Comics

• DC Comics, Inc.

• Image Comics

• IDW Publishing

• Dark Horse Comics

• Shogakukan

• Hakusensha

• Shueisha Inc.

• Tokyopop

• Panini

Comic Book Market Report Scope

Global Comic Book Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional & country levels and provides an analysis on the latest trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the comic book market based on type, genre, and region.

• Type Outlook (USD Million; 2017 - 2030)

  • Digital

  • Non-Digital

• Format Outlook (USD Million; 2017 - 2030)

  • Hard Copy

  • E-Books

  • Audiobook

• Genre Outlook (USD Million; 2017 - 2030)

  • Science-Fiction

  • Manga

  • Superhero

  • Non-fiction

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2017 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

    • France

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa (MEA)

    • South Africa