Midtown Comics & JSM for Artists share vision of artist monetization: Cross-media - Bruce Dickinson NYC event

Meet Super Gerry! The owner of Midtown Comics, the world’s largest comic book store, with 4 awesome locations in NYC! Gerry has been a completely supportive partner of JSM for Artists for years and shares the JSM for Artists mission to support the monetization and growth of over 1 billion creatives.

As our lead Warrior Woman , JazzRock artist and CEO of JSMedia, I had a chance to chat with Gerry in person at a very special Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden (HUGE fan here is an understatement) #Mandrake signing of his new comic book series published by Z2Comics this week. Bruce has spent the last 10 years working with an artist team to tell his story which accompanies his new album. For all of our fellow metal lovers of music and lovers of sci fi comic books and graphic novels, grab Bruce Dickinsons The Mandrake Project #1 these now at Midtown!

Now onto the interview and how Midtown Comics is a true Superhero in supporting across all mediums!

Q: How does midtown comics support independent artists?

Midtown comics has always believed in the power of the independent comic artist to make his /her or their own amazing future in the industry.  We love to watch every future star shine, and we’ve seen many soar from obscurity to prominence.  We’ve observed that when independent artists really invest in their work and get involved in the industry they shine, like superheroes!

Q. How is comics blending with Music ? Gaming? Film? and where do you see it going?

Comics have always crossed over to other media. From the George Reeves Superman tv show, all the way to The Man of Steel film with Henry Cavill to the current Marvel show Echo, I think it will continue to do so as more classic stories get adapted to film and tv. New voices will keep these characters fresh and current, which is important in gaining new fans to comics.

Because streaming is dominating the media markets from Amazon to Disney to Hulu to Netflix and HBO, there is a tremendous opportunity for comic book stories to thrive in "new television" and "adaptive films". This gives way for a growth of stories, artists and writers.

Gaming and comics go hand in hand. We see this crossover in our store and at major events such as #Comic-con and others. Games - from character based board games to console to online games and multiplayer utilize comic book and graphic novel stories frequently for their development. 

In all of this is music. Music is the centerpiece of what brings the cross-media alive. I know Jasmine, you know all about this as JSM for Artists started with supporting the needs of struggling musicians and has expanded to all artists as we both see this crossover exploding!

Q. What are you the most excited about when it comes to the future of the comic book business ?

I am excited to see what the big two (Marvel and DC Comics) and beyond have in store for us. I think that they will continue to think outside the box and procure the attention of new and old fans by creating new storylines that capture our minds. I'm also looking forward to the many independent projects by the seasoned pros as they jump back and forth from the big two, to their own projects. We also love that because we can get them in the store for signings!

And let's not forget about what just happened tonight in our store! We had a legendary hero in heavy metal music and now a long-time comic book story writer here in our downtown location - Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, signing his new book "Mandrake" with artists and published by our friends at Z2Comics, which aligns with his first solo album in 10 years in the same name. When I tell you , Jasmine, that fans were waiting in 20 degree weather from 8am until now (7pm) I am seriously not kidding. The opportunity for celebs cross-media to now get involved, support and thrive in our (comic book) industry is so exciting! This tells me we (Midtown and the comic book industry itself) are in the right place at the right time!

MIDTOWN COMICS opened its first store in 1997, and is now the industry’s leading retailer of comic books, graphic novels, and manga, with its online store in addition to four NYC locations in Times Square, Grand Central, Downtown, & Astoria, Queens. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! More information available here!

Learn more about these opportunities at my NAMM 2024 and Cross-Media talk - January 28th 2024

It certainly seems we are all in the right place at the right time!!! I will be leading a talk with Q&A at NAMM 2024 January 28th at 1pm (room 202 AB) at the Anaheim Convention Center on “Artist Monetization through Special Cross-Media projects”. If you are attending NAMM please stop by! I will be sharing examples and step by step details for artists on how to get placed! Check my previous news announcement and registration link for NAMM - Jasmine Sandler announced as NAMM Speaker 2024

For more on JSM for Artists see https://www.jasminesandlerdigitalmarketingmedia.com/jsm-for-artists-artistbranding-artistbusinesscoaching

For more on Midtown Comics https://www.midtowncomics.com/

For more on the Mandrake Project visit https://www.themandrakeproject.com/

Follow Bruce https://www.instagram.com/brucedickinsonhq/

For more on Z2Comics visit https://z2comics.com/

For upcoming Iron Maiden tours visit https://www.ironmaiden.com/