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How AI helps me blog

AI Large Language Model chat bots, such as ChatGPT from OpenAI is opening the doors to rapid content creations. I used ChatGPT recently to write a blog post that I was passionate about. It pertains to Comic Book stores in the era of COVID pandemic.

To help understand how I used ChatGPT, here are a few steps I took to get there (yes, these steps were generated by ChatGPT after several prompts to write the initial blog post):

Start by stating your topic and objectives clearly: In this case, the topic is the impact of COVID-19 on the comic book industry, and the objective is to discuss the challenges faced by the industry and the strategies employed to overcome them.

Ask your questions: Ask specific questions related to your topic. For example, "What were the challenges faced by the comic book industry during the pandemic?" or "How did the industry innovate to survive during the pandemic?"

Start typing: Begin typing your essay, starting with a strong opening sentence that captures the reader's attention. Use me to suggest ways to structure your essay, such as starting with an introduction, followed by the main body, and concluding with a summary and conclusions.

Use me to help with grammar: Use me to help with your grammar and spelling, ensuring that your essay is well-written and easy to read.

Include relevant data: Use me to help you research and include relevant data to support your arguments. For example, you could include statistics on comic book sales during the pandemic or information on new distribution companies.

Create tables: Use me to help you create tables and other visual aids to make your data easier to understand and more engaging.

Use a catchy title: Use me to generate a catchy title for your essay that will grab readers' attention.

Add Twitter tags: Use me to suggest relevant Twitter tags to include with your post, to help promote your essay and reach a wider audience.

Now to get to where I wanted to with my post, it was important to clarify the structure of the post, how many words, who the audience was, what grammar level, and the knowledge level of the writer perspective. Here are a few prompts I used. 1000 word essay college level grammar witty language add data add tables list references use long descriptions optimistic expert in field

Let’s not forget, these generated posts should be proof read and verified for accuracy. AI is not perfect and can give out bad responses. Think, bad inputs equals bad outputs.

What are your thoughts on AI and Large Language Models? Are these tools to make work easier? Or, are they leading us to robotic overlords?

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Superheroes to the Rescue: How Comic Book Stores Overcame the Pandemic and Innovated for the Future

The comic book industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated these trends. As an expert in the field, I have observed these changes firsthand, and I am optimistic about the future of comic book stores.

Before the pandemic, physical sales of comic books were declining, while digital sales were on the rise. According to data from Publishers Weekly, physical sales in North America declined by 0.3% in 2019, compared to the previous year. In contrast, digital sales saw a 7.1% increase. This trend continued into 2020, with physical sales declining by 6.5% while digital sales increased by 14%. These changes in sales patterns have been driven by the closure of physical comic book stores, which account for a significant portion of physical sales.

Table 1: Physical and digital sales of comic books in North America

Source: Publishers Weekly

Despite these challenges, comic book stores have shown remarkable resilience in the face of the pandemic. Many stores have adapted to the new reality by offering online sales and curbside pickup options, and some have even launched crowdfunding campaigns to help them stay afloat.

Table 2: Number of comic book store closures in the US

Source: ICv2

However, the industry is already starting to bounce back. As of September 2021, physical sales in North America were down by only 2.6% compared to the previous year, while digital sales had increased by 8.7%. This indicates that the shift towards digital media consumption is still ongoing, but the decline in physical sales is starting to level off.

Table 3: Physical and digital sales of comic books in North America (up to September 2021)

*Note: data is only available up to September 2021

Source: The Washington Post

In addition to the pandemic, the comic book industry has also been impacted by other major changes in recent years. In 2020, DC Comics announced that it would be changing its shipment schedule from Wednesdays to Tuesdays. This decision was made to align with the new release schedule for other forms of entertainment, such as movies and video games, which typically release new content on Tuesdays.

In addition to changes in shipment schedules, the closure of Diamond Comic Distributors in 2020 created significant disruption in the industry. Diamond had been the primary distributor of comic books to retailers for decades, and its closure led to the launch of several new distribution companies, including Lunar Distribution and UCS Comic Distributors. This fragmentation of the distribution market has created new challenges for retailers, but it has also opened up new opportunities for competition and innovation.

Overall, while the comic book industry has faced significant challenges in recent years, there are reasons to be optimistic about its future. The resilience of comic book stores during the pandemic and the leveling off of the decline in physical sales are positive signs. Additionally, the launch of new distribution companies and changes to shipment schedules are creating new opportunities for growth and innovation in the industry.Furthermore, comic books continue to be an important and influential medium of storytelling and entertainment, with a dedicated fan base and a growing presence in mainstream media. The success of comic book adaptations in film and television, such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe and The Boys, has helped to broaden the appeal of the medium and attract new audiences. This, in turn, can drive more interest in physical comic books and support the growth of comic book stores.In conclusion, while the comic book industry has faced significant challenges in recent years, there are reasons to be optimistic about its future. The industry has shown remarkable resilience in the face of the pandemic, and the launch of new distribution companies and changes to shipment schedules are creating new opportunities for growth and innovation. Comic books continue to be an important and influential medium, and their success in mainstream media is helping to attract new audiences and support the growth of comic book stores.References:"Diamond Halts Payments to Vendors and Cuts Staff." Publishers Weekly, 27 March 2020, www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/82929-diamond-halts-payments-to-vendors-and-cuts-staff.html.Gustines, George Gene. "DC Comics Changes Its Distribution Model, Leaving Diamond." The New York Times, 5 June 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/06/05/books/dc-comics-diamond-distribution.html.Hyde, David. "Diamond Comic Distributors to Shut Down." Publishers Weekly, 23 March 2020, www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/82814-diamond-comic-distributors-to-shut-down.html.Johnston, Rich. "DC Comics to Switch to Tuesday Distribution – and Lunar Distribution and UCS Comic Distributors Grow." Bleeding Cool, 16 March 2020, bleedingcool.com/comics/dc-comics-to-switch-to-tuesday-distribution-and-lunar-distribution-and-ucs-comic-distributors-grow.MacDonald, Heidi. "2020: The Year in Comics Retail – A Look Back and a Look Forward." The Beat, 4 January 2021, www.comicsbeat.com/2020-the-year-in-comics-retail-a-look-back-and-a-look-forward."Print and Digital Comics Sales in North America, 2019-2020." Publishers Weekly, 2 February 2021, www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/85305-print-and-digital-comics-sales-in-north-america-2019-2020.html.Thompson, Kelly. "The Comics Industry Is in Peril. Superheroes Might Not Be Enough to Save It." The Washington Post, 30 April 2021, www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/04/30/comics-industry-covid-19.

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The Top 10 Works of Alan Moore That Changed the Comic Book Industry

Alan Moore is a British writer who has made a significant impact on the comic book industry. His unique writing style and character development skills have earned him worldwide recognition. Here are ten of his most noteworthy works that have contributed to the evolution of the comic book medium.

Watchmen (1986-1987): This groundbreaking graphic novel tells the story of a group of superheroes in a dystopian world. Moore's meticulous writing and Dave Gibbons' stunning artwork combine to create a masterpiece that redefined the comic book genre.

V for Vendetta (1982-1985): Set in a totalitarian future where the government reigns supreme, V for Vendetta is a political thriller that explores themes of freedom and rebellion. Moore's captivating storytelling and David Lloyd's striking visuals make this a must-read for anyone interested in political philosophy.

Swamp Thing (1984-1987): Moore's run on Swamp Thing transformed the character from a B-list monster into a sophisticated, philosophical work of art. His writing and Stephen Bissette's haunting artwork created a gothic masterpiece that set new standards for horror comics.

From Hell (1989-1996): From Hell is a graphic novel that delves deep into the psyche of one of history's most infamous killers: Jack the Ripper. Moore's extensive research and Eddie Campbell's evocative illustrations make this a chilling and unforgettable read.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (1999-2019): This series features famous characters from classic literature, such as Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, and Captain Nemo. Moore's ingenuity and Kevin O'Neill's detailed illustrations create a unique, entertaining, and thought-provoking work.

Miracleman (1982-1989): Moore's groundbreaking run on Miracleman deconstructed the superhero genre and redefined it for a new era. His writing, alongside artists such as Alan Davis and John Totleben, created a modern masterpiece that explored complex themes like mortality, power, and the human condition.

Promethea (1999-2005): Promethea is a fantastical journey that explores the intersection of magic, imagination, and creativity. Moore's philosophical insights and J.H. Williams III's stunning artwork create a unique, innovative work that is a feast for the eyes and mind.

Supreme (1992-1996): Alan Moore's run on Supreme revitalized the character and paid homage to the golden age of superhero comics. His writing, alongside artists like Rick Veitch and Joe Bennett, created a clever, self-aware work that celebrated the medium's history while pushing it forward.

Tom Strong (1999-2006): Tom Strong is a love letter to pulp fiction and classic science fiction, with a twist. Moore's writing, alongside artists like Chris Sprouse and Alan Weiss, creates a charming and delightful world that evokes the spirit of old-fashioned adventure stories.

Top 10 (1999-2001): Top 10 is a police procedural set in a city where almost everyone has superpowers. Moore's writing, alongside artist Gene Ha, creates a world filled with vivid characters and a rich history. The series explores complex themes such as power dynamics, social inequality, and morality, all while maintaining a sense of humor and fun. It's a unique and entertaining read that stands out in the superhero genre.

 Alan Moore's works have had a lasting impact on the comic book medium, and his contributions will be remembered for years to come. His ability to tell complex stories that explore deep themes while creating compelling characters and innovative worlds has earned him a place among the greatest comic book writers of all time. His works are a must-read for anyone interested in the possibilities of the comic book medium.

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Seriously if Tumblr were to ever end, I’ll quit the internet.

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“Musk is in fact the richest middle-manager in history. He has the same level of ignorance, the same hubris, and the same lack of self-awareness as any other middling corporate manager. Only, he’s completely insulated from reality by his wealth. And, it seems Twitter is the first time his actions have had negative consequences (which is extremely depressing, considering how much influence the man wields). The fact that his other companies employ “Elon Handlers” to protect investors from his catastrophic influence is just astounding.”

— u/Ruhezeit

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Is it just me or is @elonmusk doing to Twitter what Palpatine did to the Imperial Senate?

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I don’t understand what @elonmusk is trying to do. He wants to monetize Twitter and yet there’s sooo much low hanging fruit to do so.

He needs to stop surrounding himself with “yes” men and listen to the people. You know the people that he wants to be such a champion to.

If I ran Twitter here’s what I would do.

1. Drop all of this blue check BS Elon is trying to do. It’s not broken. Leave it as it was. A system to actually verify people. But it can be expanded and made simpler with ID checks like banking systems.

2. Expand premium options beyond Twitter Blue. These can be long form essays (op-ed), ad free, and follower subscriptions.

3. Launch e-commerce capabilities. Specifically auction style video format. Live auctions.

4. Expand video. Short form videos. Relaunch Vine with deep integration Twitter. Make Vine a verb again. Live auctions, video podcasts can be powered by vine.

5. Expand Twitter spaces. Podcast support and creation with archives. Free with creator ads or subscriptions.

Twitter can disrupt the following; auctions e-commerce, podcasts, short form video, and long form posts.

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I always seem to go back to tumblr as a platform. It’s very accommodating to a users needs. Plus Neil Gaiman still uses it!

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it’s just that, Elon will make twitter worse

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ComicHub Once Touted As Comics Savior, Has Plan Fall Through

On April 1st (not foolin’) ComicHub announced a bold plan to save the comics industry. The comics industry is reeling from closures do to the Covid-19 pandemic that’s leading the world economy into a recession.

Not unlike Ryan Higgins plan, ComicHub announced a digital/physical distribution model that allows comic shops to sell digital codes for comics now, and then allow customers to collect said comics once they are available.

ComicHub, itself is a Point of Sale (POS) system for comic shops.

Shortly after the announcement, several around the industry, named ComicHub saviors of the industry. The level of thought is that local shops will make some money during closures to hopefully get them through the next few months.

Readership seemed keen on the idea as it was seen as “let them eat cake” moment.

However a few days later, reality kicked in. Retailers bagan to balk about digital first distribution as their fears may come to fruition, customers leaving shops and physical comics wholesale for the convenience of digital.

Image Comics quickly said they would no be joining the ComicHub strategy.

Now, ComicHub announces their plans will not be moving forward at all.

“The ComicHub advance digital reader copy initiative isn’t going to move forward right now,” retailer John Hendrick of Big Bang Comics told Newsarama Thursday afternoon. Hendrick, along with Ryan Higgins of Comics Conspiracy, took lead roles for ComicHub in communicating the proposal to their fellow retailers and the comic book press Wednesday.

“It’s obvious from the concerns voiced by our peers that this isn’t an initiative they can get behind," Hendrick continued. "This was designed by people who love comics with the best of intentions, to get cash flow back moving in our industry again from the retailer all the way up to distributors and publishers.

“But until such a time as we can all agree on a solution that fellow retailers can support there is no point in Stu [Colson] continuing this at this time."

While the intent was very good, the model wasn’t accepted. Marvel & DC Comics never announced support for ComicHub model. Although, DC Comics may have saw this as an option for their search for a “multi-distributor model”.

Diamond Comics can breath a small sigh of relief as their monopoly holds tight for a while longer.

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Diamond Halts Payments to Vendors

Dear Diamond Vendor:

As the world responds to the outbreak of COVID-19, our focus is on protecting employees, understanding the risks to our business, evaluating the risks to our industry and examining the Federal Government resources available. While the full impact of this epidemic is still unknown, one thing is certain: supply chain disruptions have cash flow implications across the extended industry that can’t be underestimated.

While we work to understand the current industry landscape, the unfortunate truth is that we are no longer receiving consistent payments from our customers. This requires that at this time, we hold payments to vendors previously scheduled to release this week. This is a difficult decision and not one we make lightly. As this situation continues to evolve, we are committed to building out a plan for payment and will have more information to share later this week.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during these difficult times.

Stan HeidmannPresident, Geppi Family Enterprises

As we previously reported, Diamond Comics Distributors halted all distribution of print comics starting April 1st.  This caused a ripple affect across the industry. Local Comic Shops have no new inventory to sell and all major publishers have vowed not to release digital versions of comic book in the near term.

Now all vendors, publishers, toy makers, and so on will not receive an money from Diamond during the Covid-19 pandemic. This is the danger of having one distributor for the entire comic industry. Expect changes to the distribution model in the near future. 

Developing…

Source:

cbr.com

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Will They? Won’t They?

So much news, so little time. 

DC Comics reported on Sunday that they will release comics digitally. Their reasoning, that print customers are separate from digital customers. However, the fear among retailers is that print customers will become digital customers and not go back. 

Today, DC somewhat reversed course. Digital releases will not to be released April 1st, aside from a few digital first titles. Digital releases are now expected on April 29th. 

A few hours later, Marvel and Image Comics released a press release, respectively, announcing each will suspend digital release for at least April 1st. 

Last week we speculated that the silence from DC during the Covid-19 panic may have been due to financial stress as rumors have been circulating of shuttering the publication. 

Jim Lee famously said that. “DC has been around for 85 years, and we’ll be around for another 85 years,” during the C2E2. He did not emphasis in what form. 

Local Comic Shops somehow survived a speculation bubble, and the Great Recession of the 2000′s. While their numbers are smaller than they were at their height of the 1990′s, one has to wonfer if the shops will finally give way to digital. The same way music and video stores have. 

Marvel has much deeper pockets due to their parent company, Disney, raking in billions over the years from Marvel’s IP. However, it can be said DC and there ownership Warner Bros. are not so lucky. 

Let’s see if DC changes it’s tune by the end of April, when there’s nearly a month of no new revenue. 

My thoughts are out to the small business owners and their families that run our Local Comic Shops.

Sources: 

Newsarama.com

CBR.com 

BleedingCool.com

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DC “Finally” Announced Support Admidst Coronavirus Pandemic

To Direct Market Retailers:

First, the entire team here at DC hopes that you, your family and your employees are staying safe and healthy during this very tough and precarious time. We know that you have been waiting for DC to comment on the state-of-affairs and to address any measures we will take to help our community lighten the burden of the disruption to our business, and we’ve been working hard on a long-term, solution-focused plan. Here is how we will help:

Periodicals and books with in-store dates between March 18, 2020 and June 24, 2020 will be fully returnable. We’ll even provide credit for your separate return shipping of these items only.

Additionally, because we anticipate that continued disruption to business operations will create regional volatility, DC is exploring a multi-distributor model to provide us with the flexibility needed during this crisis to get new content to our readers on an ongoing basis. In the short-term, we continue to engage in active conversations with Diamond to help us solve the distribution issues that have arisen and hope to get new product to stores that want or need it as soon as possible. We will provide additional information about how we’ll make that happen in the coming days.

Thanks for your patience with us. DC will continue to monitor the situation, continue to speak with you directly, and continue to support you through the days ahead. You are the lifeblood of this industry.

All best,

The DC Team

Unpacking the statement a for a moment, there are questions that currently have answers to.

For one, will DC still release their line digitally while physical books are pushed back several weeks and/or months?

Is digital part of the multi-distributor model?

Lastly, will DC end the exclusivity with Diamond Comics Distrutor?

What does stick out and very commendable is DC’s new return policy during this outbreak. Extending their line to be fully returnable for months and including credit return shipping costs is a win for Local Comic Shops. Maybe this should be the new normal.

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Dark Horse Takes One For The Team

Dark Horse is the first to announce that they will not release books digitally until print distribution returns.

This is an amazing show of solidarity to the Local Comic Shops across the world. Even though Dark Horse previously announced a reduction of titles, they’re showing support to the industry first and putting profits second.

Let’s see what Marvel, DC, and Image announce in light of this news.

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DC Entertainment Finally Has A Message

Even though Bob Harras, Editor in Chief of Dc Comics, sent a letter to freelancers. Nothing official has been sent to the industry in terms of the Coronavirus pandemic and the looming recession.

One has to wonder what’s going on behind the scenes. As one of the big three in comics publishers, this is a moment to lead the industry. It’s a shame that the company that brought us Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, amongst others, are so silent in this time of “crisis.”

Read Bob Harras’ letter below.

To Our DC Talent Community,

Everyone here at DC is thinking of you and the challenges that you’re all facing in this current crisis. I want to stress that DC is fully open for business. Our editorial teams and support staff are working remotely for the foreseeable future but that will not interfere with our day-to-day operations.

Our main concern, of course, is your well-being and that of your families. No matter where you are in the world, take care and don’t hesitate to reach out. We realize that there may be unexpected challenges ahead and I want you to know that we are here to help.

No one knows, of course, how long this current situation may last. For now, this is our new normal. And as we transition to a company working from home, we gain the flexibility to overcome any challenge. Most importantly, we remain incredibly excited about the stories we will create together.

Best,

Bob

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Darkhorse Offers Plan to Support Comic Shops

There’s been conversations among industry experts, particularly Eric Stephenson of Image, that the direct market is too flooded with books. This causes retailers to over orders on books that may not sell.

Less books to push plus longer return periods may be the new normal, once everything returns to “normal.”

Dark Horse is considered number four comic publisher behind Image, DC Comics, & Marvel, respectively. Yet, DC Comics, as of the writing has been mum on the pandemic, it’s support to comics shop, and the industry as a whole.

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Comic Shop Struggles Are Real

Newsarama has a great take on the potential future of the Direct Market, your Local Comic Shops. The concern of retailers is the uncertainty and frankly, the lack of communication from up high.

“I think this needs to be a pause for all comics, regardless of format — meaning no new comics for digital retailers either,” said Benn Ray, owner of Atomic Books in Baltimore, Md. “Otherwise it gives them an unfair advantage and makes any books stalled in the pipeline utterly unsellable, not to mention turning this into an opportunity to cut shops out altogether and get more folks to buy digital comics.”

After the pandemic passes, and it will, what percentage of stores will be left?

Back in 2010, when digital comics were beginning, Mark Waid gave his keynote speech at the Harvey awards touting the future of the comic industry is digital. A few years later, he was proven wrong. Maybe he was ahead of his time.