Its been about 10 years since I have done this. The first thing I have noticed is...no Previews!
I learned about 2 weeks ago my LCS has canceled his Diamond account. As someone who has ordered all off his comics from Previews for about 30 years. This was quite a shock. I\ve also worked there before, and I understand his problems. Hell, they haven't even had a sales associate in over 10 years.
So, all of the books will be between Penguin, Lunar, etc. Anything that is Diamond only he is trying to work out. A new dynamic for me for sure. I do understand his frustrastion. Shorted on comics, damaged comics, and just being left in limbo.
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The SEP 2025 catalog is now available online, although honestly I'm at a loss to explain why, because it is my understanding that Diamond stopped shipping product months ago. This month it's only 58 pages (before the "supplies" and "manga" sections), but it's helpful if you are into Alley Oop and PS Artbooks (as I am). I already have made a deal with the publisher of Alley Oop, and I'm seriously thinking about dropping PS Artbooks. For the past couple of months I have found Previews useful just to know what will be available, even though I know my LCS will order through another source. Don't know what I'm going to do when this resource goes away entirely. As it is, there's no Fantagraphics, no IDW, etc.
Don't know what I'm going to do when this resource goes away entirely. As it is, there's no Fantagraphics, no IDW, etc.
We could grow our own, as they say. I do get most of solicitations three months in advance, and those I don't get I can get online. I've posted solicitations before without sparking much interest, which is why I quit doing it. But if we Frankensteined our own list, would that help? Or a list with creators? A list with creators and solicitations? Adding art would be time-consuming, but it could be done.
If such a thing would be useful I'd be willing to do it. I'd just need guidance as to what format would be most useful, reassurance that my time wouldn't be wasted, and whatever help anyone wanted to offer.
Currently I have the November solicitations on stand-by.
I don't know what to suggest at this point. I had been hoping that the situation would resolve itself by whatever system arises to take Diamond's place (assuming, of course, something does). My main concerns are Fantagraphics, IDW and Hermes Press. Perhaps they will distrubute individual catalogs, such as Marvel, DC and Image already do. (Oh, come to think of it, I think IDW does that as well.) I get e-mails from some of these publishers, but I have found them less than useful for my needs.
I'm slightly surprised that some sort of alternate catalog hasn't quite arisen of its own yet, frankly.
If I am not mistaken there is some initiative in that direction happening in Reddit. A slightly chaotic place to host such a resource, but perhaps not a very bad one overall.
So, to review, is it the ability to ORDER that is your concern, Jeff? Or just the INFORMATION, so you can go to your LCS with a list? I guess that makes me ask, who do you order from, or how do you order, from publishers not on the current Diamond Previews?
I don't inagine I'd have any trouble getting Fantagraphics, IDW and Hermes Press solicitations, if that would be helpful. I'm also not adverse to the idea of having something on our site that can't be found anywhere else.
Or just the INFORMATION, so you can go to your LCS with a list?
That one. I'm concerned about missing something I want simply because I don't know that it's available. Sure, my LCS might order something I'm not aware of and I could buy it off the shelf, but I'd forego my pre-order discount. Also, I buy quite a bit of esotheric stuff which he orders just for me, not store stock. That's the kind of thing I'm worried about missing. In the past I hjave always ordered directly from the Previews catalog, knowing that my retailer may or may not order it from Diamond (which is, quite literally, not my business). I don't want to ask you to go to any extra trouble, especially if it's just for me. I'm sure it'll all work out... eventually.
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