[[{“value”:”
As the implications and consequences of Diamond Comic Distributors‘ bankruptcy become clearer, CBR can confirm that Image Comics will no longer allow the company to distribute its titles. Unlike DC Comics, who also have an exclusive contract with Lunar Distribution, Image Comics allowed Diamond to purchase their comics through the distributor. It now appears that will no longer be the case.
Starting with the titles that hit Final Order Cutoff earlier this week, Lunar Distribution has notified its accounts that Diamond Comic Distributors will no longer be distributing Image Comics titles. Per the notification, Image intends to print the quantities ordered on January 13 by all distributors, but Diamond’s quantities will now only be available directly from Lunar. First affected are the comics set to arrive in the first week of February, with graphic novels due later that month. It remains to be seen what impact, if any, the news will have across the pond where Diamond UK almost exclusively sub-distributes Image Comics to British comic book stores.
Related
EXCLUSIVE: Mad Cave Announces New Series From X-Files Writer
X-Files scribe Joe Harris is bringing his new series Past Time to Mad Cave Studios.
Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, seeking the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland to facilitate the restructuring of the business, which received a $39 million bid from an affiliate of Universal Distribution for the Alliance Game Distributors. The news arrived after a slate of publishers, beginning during the pandemic, left their exclusivity agreements with the company. BOOM! Studios most recently cut their exclusivity contract with Diamond following a similar path to Image, Marvel, DC, IDW, and Dark Horse.
Having decided to leave Diamond in the first place, larger publishers will be unscathed by the company’s current situation. Many invested in the comic industry believe that if Diamond were to go out of business, it would devastate the release of small press books, killing the distribution of those titles.
Related
Ghost Machine Unveils Newest Antihero
Geoff Johns and Gary Frank’s Geiger series teases its newest antihero along with big plans for a shared universe.
Diamond’s relatively open submissions policy allowed small press publishers and creators to submit their titles directly to the Diamond purchasing team. Smaller presses like Band of Bards, Blood Moon Comics, Blackbox, Antarctic Press, and more, where many comic creators first break into the industry, may soon find themselves without direct comic shop access.
Regarding other near irreplaceable services and intangibles previously offered by Diamond, Alan Gill stated “The monthly previews catalog brings all of the toy, statue, and novelty products that are manufactured each month as well as a multitude of comic book publishers into one catalog, who else is going to step up to do that?”
“}]] Image Comics will no longer allow Diamond Comic Distributors to purchase its titles from Lunar Distribution. Read More