Scathach80 wrote:
...For January 2010, all American publishers combined sold a total of 5.63 million comics...

Considering that comic books were initially reprints of daily strips which were given away for free as a promotional item, I'd say that is pretty good. Whether it's down from a few decades before is simply a relative matter. Sure, they are hurting, but only in comparison to a few decades before. Boo-hoo. I only sold 5.63 million comics.
All printed media is suffering, but as I've said, as long as the digital and other peripheral licensed markets are active the point is moot. To you it's a big deal. To me it's a matter of adjusting to the times (which they are doing despite complaints,) but in the meantime they keep crying despite record industry profits. There is only so much of the pie to go around, and they are still getting more than their share.
The movie industry also complains, and yet they have potential sales in one weekend, of what historically once was the lifetime earnings of any other particular movie.

Boo-hoo.

Spoiled brats.

"There is a lot of money tied up in this film and people expect to hear a boom when something blows up, so I'll give them a boom."

George Lucas as quoted by Harlan Ellison's WATCHING