News
Jesus gets Graphic
9 to 14 Year-Old Boys are Reading . . . the Bible?
LEESBURG, Fla. – July 10, in the year of our Lord 2013
– Kingstone—the leading publisher of Christian comics and
biblical-worldview graphic novels—launches today on the
iPad/iPhone’s No. 1 comic app—Comics by comiXology. This brings
the first faith-based comics and graphic novels to the leading
global digital comics platform.
“ComiXology is the de facto leader in delivering comics and
graphic novels worldwide,” said Kingstone Media CEO Art Ayris,
who unabashedly aims to be the Marvel or DC of Christian comics.
“We like putting Christ and the Scriptures in the mainstream of
the comic conversation.”
“Providing the broadest range of comic and graphic novel content
has always been our mission at comiXology,” said David
Steinberger CEO of comiXology, “We’re thrilled to add Kingstone
media to the mix.”
Are comics relevant? Consider:
The market is booming: Comics/graphic novel sales top $500
million in the U.S. and $5 billion in Japan. Comics also are
easily translated into multiple languages.
Boys are reading:
Teen girls read more than boys—Hunger Games, Twilight primarily
reach teenage girls—but the primary market for comics/graphic
novels is boys ages 9 to 14.
Given that half the world’s population is illiterate or
semi-literate, comics and graphic novels make learning visual.
(For 80 percent of people, the principal mode of learning is
visual.)
Men are reading: Ayris was surprised to learn that a second
significant percentage of Kingstone readers are males age 30-45.
Top authors have new readers: Comics throw open a door for top
Christian communicators to gain new audiences. Best-seller and
leader in next-life literature Randy Alcorn just published his
first graphic novel—Eternity—with Kingstone. ( Kingstone soon
will announce new works from other top Christian names.)
Learning and education expert Dr. Mary Manz Simon says comics
and graphic novels go places a traditional Bible or Sunday
school lesson might not.
"Educators continually search for new strategies to encourage
readers, whether using print or pixels. The sales lift of
graphic novels and comics is not surprising because these
formats are visually arresting and shout 'fun,'” said Simon. "We
live in a visual society. Readers who are accustomed to look at
images will be compelled to look at vividly colored graphic
novels like Eternity."
With today’s comiXology launch, Kingstone unveils its entire
catalog of 25 comic books and 12 graphic novels across the
comiXology platform. Besides Alcorn’s Eternity, the list brings
writers such as Dr. Marvin Olasky, named one of the 50 Most
Influential Christians in the World, and well-known comic book
writers Ben Avery and Roland Mann.
Interestingly, Kingstone readers come from well past the faith
market, drawn to Kingstone’s artist stable of industry stars:
Javier Saltares, (Kingstone: Eternity; Marvel Comics: Wolverine,
Ghost Rider; Dark Horse Comics)
Sergio Cariello (Disney, Marvel Comics, DC)
Danny Bulanadi (Marvel Comics: Fantastic Four, Captain America)
In 2014, comiXology also will feature Kingstone’s 12-volume
Kingstone Bible project, the most complete graphic adaptation of
the Bible ever made.
Kingstone also distributes through major retailers such as
Walmart and CBA Christian book stores. Kingstone also recently
signed on with iVerse Media, the leading provider of digital
material to libraries nationwide.