GameStop Explains Why They're Suddenly Entering The Comic Book Market

With all the chatter about GameStop's current financial difficulties, is now the right time to diversify?   

GameStop’s director of consumer products Clint Walker, spoke with io0 about this very topic.

"...We define consumer products as toys and collectibles. The decision to start selling comic books in the US domestic GameStop and ThinkGeek stores is because, for us, it’s a very natural adjacency...in general, [this move] very much aligns with our goal of being the fast fashion in pop culture. There’s just a tremendous opportunity as we continue to grow our partnerships with Marvel and DC and some of the anime properties we’ve been introducing."

Walker went on to confirm that GameStop will be acquiring their comics each week from Diamond Distribution and won't just focus on graphic novels.  Perhaps the move is an aim to increase foot traffic in Game Stop stores which (barring the odd Nintendo Classic release) are typically vacant as digital video game sales increase by the year.

However, the rollout for comic book racks in GameStop won't occur at every store.  Test sites will be springing up, with a focus in Texas, Florida and the Northeast.

Of course, io9 attempted to broach the subject of Gamestop's rumored acquisition but a PR spokesperson broke in to say that the subject was off-topic.

GameStop's foray into comics is a little ironic as mom-and-pop comic book shops are experiencing their own issues with online retailers taking a sizable chunk of the market share.  In that sense, GameStop is doubling down on their same problem.