Gen Z and millennials are often blamed for the decline of industries like the diamond market, but today, Gen Z is celebrated for reviving a unique industry: superhero. More to the point, they’re bringing comics back from the brink, transforming a once-struggling market into one experiencing unprecedented boom over the past year.
Generation Z is ushering in a new era for comic books and superheroes.
It’s no secret that comic books, and by extension superheroes, have struggled in recent years, with once beloved comic book stores forced to close due to declining sales. Many factors have been blamed for the slowdown, including superhero fatigue, lack of accessibility, and an overwhelming amount of content that made it difficult for new or returning readers to find a place to start.
However, a recent report from retailer programming at NYCC reveals that comic book sales are now on the riseand perhaps even more surprising is that we have Generation Z to thank.
Marvel and DC are reviving comics for a whole new generation
The reinvented universes make it easy for everyone to immerse themselves in the stories
Accessibility was one of the biggest challenges affecting comic book sales. With decades of history, new and returning readers have often struggled to find easy entry points without a thorough reread. Marvel and DC have recently addressed this problem with their Ultimate and Absolute universes, creating new starting points that allow anyone to jump into stories without prior knowledge, opening the door to a wider audience.
These universes reinvented familiar characters, wiping the slate clean and offering new origins. This approach allows readers to start reading immediately, without the need for years of back issues. The result was a wave of new readers entering the world of comics. By making the stories more accessible, Marvel and DC have helped revitalize interest in comics, particularly among younger audiences.
Gen Z is comics’ biggest comeback in years
Data from NYCC and industry experts reveals massive surge in sales
The increase in comic book sales was highlighted at NYCC, where ComicsPRO-sponsored retailers shared some encouraging news. One retailer said he had never seen so many young people aged 15 to 24 in his store. American businessman Milton Griepp reported that comic book store sales increased 27% in 2025, according to ComicHub data, signaling a strong rebound for an industry that has been struggling for years.
The increase in sales was confirmed by several sources, including the Prana DM Comic Industry Insiders podcast. Atom Freeman and Brian Garside of Manage Comics reported an average 18% increase in sales for 2025. While some stores are seeing more modest gains, of 2-3%, others are seeing increases of 30-40%, highlighting the market’s uneven but overall significant growth.
These figures represent a major milestone for an industry long in decline. Most excitingly, much of this growth is driven by younger readers, which is a win both for comic book sales and for the next generation discovering the joy of reading. Based on these testimonials, it appears that Generation Z is leading a new era for comics And superhero.
Superman
9/10
- Release date
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July 11, 2025
Source: ComicsBeat
