ICv2
Milton Griepp published a newsletter called Internal Correspondence in the 1980s. This publication grew into a magazine that served Capital City Distribution for over a decade. Capital City Distribution changed hands when Diamond Comic Distributors acquired the company in 1996. The new owners kept the rights to the name Internal Correspondence but did not continue the publication themselves. Griepp launched ICv2 in January 2001 as a digital trade magazine covering geek culture. The name ICv2 stands for Internal Correspondence version 2, honoring the earlier trade magazine from the 1980s and 1990s. The first issue of ICv2 appeared online just months after the acquisition deal closed.
The site covers comic books, anime, gaming, and show business products for retailers. George Gene Gustines wrote about the manga boom in the United States while citing ICv2 coverage in December 2004. Dave Itzkoff reported on DC Comics changes in January 2012 using the same platform. Readers find news, reviews, analysis, and sales information within these pages. Librarians also use the site to track industry trends alongside professional retailers. The content targets those who sell or buy pop culture goods rather than casual fans. Each article connects back to the business side of the entertainment market.
ICv2 Retailer Guides magazines began appearing in hard copy format during 2002. These annual publications contain detailed sales data and product reviews for industry professionals. The guides help retailers make purchasing decisions before new items hit store shelves. GCO LLC produces all materials from an office located in Madison, Wisconsin. Sales figures appear regularly to show which titles move units and which do not. The company distributes these physical copies directly to subscribers who need concrete numbers. A librarian might read a guide to understand what graphic novels are popular with young adults.
The first ICv2 conference took place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in 2011. Calvin Reid reported that this event kicked off New York Comic Con that October. Heidi MacDonald noted the event was renamed the White Paper Happy Hour by the 23rd of September 2015. Attendees gather on the eve of the convention to discuss industry shifts face-to-face. The location remains consistent even as the name changes over time. Participants include publishers, distributors, and creators looking to network with peers. The gathering serves as a yearly checkpoint for business leaders in the field.
GCO LLC operated from physical offices in Madison, Wisconsin for its first 24 years. In July 2025, the company announced it had transitioned to a fully remote structure. No staff members remain based at the original headquarters location. This shift marked a significant change in how the magazine manages daily operations. Employees now work from various locations across different regions instead of sharing one building. The move reflects broader trends in media production following the early 2020s pandemic era. The digital
nature of the site made this transition possible without disrupting service.
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Common questions
What does the name ICv2 stand for?
The name ICv2 stands for Internal Correspondence version 2. This title honors the earlier trade magazine published by Milton Griepp in the 1980s and 1990s.
When did ICv2 launch as a digital trade magazine?
Milton Griepp launched ICv2 in January 2001 as a digital trade magazine covering geek culture. The first issue appeared online just months after Diamond Comic Distributors acquired Capital City Distribution in 1996.
Where is GCO LLC located and when did it go remote?
GCO LLC operated from physical offices in Madison, Wisconsin for its first 24 years. In July 2025, the company announced it had transitioned to a fully remote structure with no staff remaining at the original headquarters location.
Who founded ICv2 and what was their previous publication called?
Milton Griepp founded ICv2 after publishing a newsletter called Internal Correspondence in the 1980s. He launched the new digital platform in 2001 following the acquisition of his former company by Diamond Comic Distributors.
What topics does ICv2 cover for retailers and librarians?
The site covers comic books, anime, gaming, and show business products for retailers and librarians. Each article connects back to the business side of the entertainment market rather than targeting casual fans.