The Hind End of Space

What Ms Marvel's rare 6th printing means for diversity in comics

demoiselledefortune:

lauriehalseanderson:

dailydot:

We know Kamala Khan is popular, but what does a sixth printing really mean?

Kamala Khan has enraptured the world as many times as she’s saved it. Now, the plucky Pakistani-American teen who made history as the new Ms Marvel, comics’ first ever lead Muslim superhero, is getting a rare sixth printing—and heralding a new era of diversity in comics.

Although the world of comics occupies an increasingly large part of the pop cultural domain—last year the industry did about $800 million in sales—the number of people who actually buy comics is relatively small. Most comics only average about 3,000 copies per printing; with Kamala now on her sixth printing, she’s headed towards a whopping 20,000 print copies sold. 

Still, to put things in perspective, sixth printings are major milestones in the world of comics. Spider-Man Issue #583, the one with President Obama on the cover, only made it to a fifth printing despite making international headlines. Kamala now joins an elite lineup of bestselling comics that have performed beyond all expectations.

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SEE, PUBLISHING WORLD!!

Not only is diversity interesting and cool and fun and healthy and good for everyone, IT FREAKING SELLS!

Signal boost, please!

FUCK YEAH