Diamond Comics Distributors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection today. They also announced that they were selling off pieces of their large company - Alliance Games and Diamond UK were two mentioned today with others likely to happen soon.
What does this mean for the comic book business? Hard to tell for sure. Diamond has been losing pieces of the distribution business for the last five years and right now they're a comparatively minor player in the game. However, when it comes to small press comics Diamond is one of the few viable nationwide distribution options.
Remember that a Chapter 11 filing indicates an intent for the business to continue after a reorganization.
Replies
Looks like Vault isn't waiting around to see how this shakes out:
VAULT ANNOUNCES DIRECT-TO-RETAILER WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTION
Vault comics has announced the launch of direct-to-retailer distribution of all new Vault titles, to operate alongside its existing distribution channels.
Vault’s direct-to-retailer distribution platform will launch on February 3, with select key backlist and frontlist titles immediately available for order. Additional backlist and frontlist titles will be made available to order in the coming weeks.
Retailers interested in setting up direct sales accounts can sign up here: https://vaultcomics.com/direct
New retail accounts that sign up before February 28 will receive free shipping on all orders for the first six months. Products will be made available to retailers at discounts of at least fifty percent of the retail price, with automatic additional discounting per order based on total order cost. Thereafter, base discounts will be determined by account ordering volume, and free shipping will continue for qualifying orders. Packing, shipping timelines, and shortages and damages policies will meet or exceed industry standards.
Concurrent with this, Vault is making broad adjustments to its publishing plans to best align formats and release dates across its distribution channels including direct-to-retailer distribution, Lunar Distribution, and Simon & Schuster. These adjustments will require delays or cancellations and new solicitation of upcoming Vault titles. Changes to formats and release dates will be announced in the coming weeks.
“We want to make sure we deliver our books to fans, comic shops, and booksellers in the best way possible, said Vault CEO Damian Wassel. “We believe launching direct-to-retailer distribution is the right step for our business, our creators, and our fans, and we look forward to delivering some incredible books straight to the retailers who helped us build Vault.”
Thanks for the tl;dr summaries!
(This is why publishers like Marvel and Image -- which are non-exclusive to Penguin Random House and Lunar, respectively -- appear in the Previews catalogue, but DC Comics -- which is exclusive to Lunar -- does not.)
Lots of unsettling stuff above in the days I've been offline. This wasn't mentioned, but I wonder whether ot not the "old school" practice of distributing comics on a returnable basis has any merit in today's publishing world...? (Probably not.)
Perhaps some small group will step up in Reddit or somewhere else [to compile information].
I'll do my best to continue the Comics List as well.
What about PS Artbooks?
I didn't have an answer for this when you first asked, Jeff, but now I do -- courtesy of PS Artbooks themselves. Evidently they ARE a Diamond custormer. And they're in emergency mode. From a recent press release:
To our valued retailers and customers:
We continue to work with Diamond Comics Distribution to fulfill orders, despite the current uncertainty surrounding their operations. Retailers, we encourage you to shop directly with us on our website, where we offer wholesale discounts and full access to our catalog.
For our readers, we remain committed to supporting local comic shops, but if you're unable to find our titles due to distribution challenges, you can always order directly from us online. Our website ensures reliable access to your favorite books.
A Statement to Our Wholesale Retailers
As many in the comics and publishing industry are aware, Diamond Comics Distribution has recently faced significant challenges that have raised questions about its future operations. While Diamond has been a cornerstone of comic book distribution for decades, the current situation has introduced a degree of uncertainty for publishers, retailers, and creators alik
At PS Artbooks, we want to reassure our valued retail partners that we remain committed to fulfilling all orders placed through Diamond. We deeply value our longstanding relationship with them and recognise the vital role they have played in connecting our products with retailers and fans around the world.
However, given the uncertainty surrounding Diamond’s future, we also believe this is an important moment to strengthen our direct connection with you, our retail partners. To that end, we encourage retailers to consider ordering directly from PS Artbooks through our website. By shopping with us directly, you can take advantage of exclusive wholesale discounts and gain access to our full range of titles.
We are dedicated to making the ordering process as seamless as possible, offering competitive pricing, responsive customer service, and reliable fulfillment. Our goal is to ensure that your shelves are always stocked with the best that PS Artbooks has to offer, regardless of any industry-wide disruptions.
While we will continue to work with Diamond as long as they remain operational, we also see this as an opportunity to grow closer to our retail community. Your success is our success, and we are here to provide the tools and support you need to keep delighting your customers with our unique and timeless titles.
We appreciate your understanding and continued support during this period of transition for the industry. If you have any questions about ordering directly from us or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can ensure that PS Artbooks remains a reliable and trusted partner for years to come.
Sincerely,The PS Artbooks Team
A Statement to Our Valued Customers
As a loyal reader and supporter of PS Artbooks, your enthusiasm for our titles means the world to us. We know that many of you rely on your local comic book shops to discover and purchase our books, and we wholeheartedly encourage you to continue supporting these wonderful community hubs. They play an essential role in the comics ecosystem, and we remain committed to ensuring our books are available through their shelves.
However, as you may have heard, Diamond Comics Distribution, a major distributor of comic books, is currently facing significant challenges that have introduced uncertainty into the supply chain. While we continue to work with Diamond to fulfill their orders, we understand that availability at your local store could be impacted.
To ensure you never miss out on our latest releases or beloved back-catalog classics, we want to remind you that you can order directly from us through our website. When you shop with us online, you’ll have access to our full catalog of titles, including rare and hard-to-find editions. We’re committed to providing fast and reliable service so you can enjoy your favoUrite books without interruption.
We want to be clear: supporting your local comic shop is always a priority. They are the heart of the comics community. But if you’re unable to find what you’re looking for due to distribution challenges, know that our website is here as a convenient and dependable option.
Thank you for being part of the PS Artbooks family. Your support inspires us to continue bringing the rich history of comics to life through our carefully curated collections. If you have any questions about our titles or need assistance with an order, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Happy reading,The PS Artbooks Team
On the good news front (especially for UK readers), ICv2.com says this:
"Diamond and a company associated with Canada-based Universal Distribution have signed a non-binding letter of intent for Universal to acquire Diamond UK. Universal has also submitted a stalking horse bid for Diamond’s game distribution unit, Alliance Game Distributors, for $39 million. A stalking horse bid is typically made to set a price floor before an auction for the asset, with the bidder to receive a break-up fee if it does not end up acquiring the asset."
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
of 4 Next