Digital comics market has tripled in value, says report

The digital comics market tripled in value last year, according to a report.

ICv2 estimates that the digital sector is now worth $25 million (£15m), and predicts that it will account for 10% of the industry by the end of 2012.

The report attributes the rise to the major publisher's move towards the day-and-date digital business model, the success of DC Comics' 'New 52' initiative and the wider variety of platforms that digital comics are now available on.

DC adopted day-and-date digital in September last year to coincide with its company-wide overhaul. Marvel Comics followed suit in November.

The business model is not without its critics in the industry. Kick-Ass creator Mark Millar previously referred to the shift towards digital as "disastrous" for comics, warning that it could be "potentially ruinous for comic stores".

ICv2's report rejects this notion, citing recent interviews with publishing executives as evidence that digital sales are not having a negative impact on print.