The Future of Image Comics

Image having a 5-10% market share obviously works for them/their business model, but if/when print comics further phase out I wouldn't expect companies outside of DC, Marvel, and possibly Archie to maintain or even grow readership.  I think it's much easier to follow one publisher's titles when the majority share 
the same "universe" and have characters that have lengthy, varied, and intertwined history with other characters under the same imprint.  Just speaking for myself, I'm more inclined to try out a new title if it features a familiar character, favorite writer or artist,etc. more so than something completely new unless
I'm hearing positive reviews or intrigued by the theme of the book.  When the time comes that books are primarily distributed online I expect I'll have the same habits unless the price structure for reading new (or old) titles is such that I would be reading books at a much lower cost.

While I do like the variety that Image is willing to publish, I notice that I still often spend my dollar on a familiar property before I pick up a random new title.  I also tend to wait on tpb's from publishers like Boom or Dynamite rather than bother with the individual issues, so I'm not supporting a title until it's already established in many cases.  I think I also carry the baggage that comes with being an older reader who was primarily interested in the titles from the "Big 2", and very much enjoys holding an actual comic and flipping through it's pages over the online experience, so I'm thinking a company with a larger back catalog will find
greater success.  I'm not sure Image has that.