DC Comics Ends Diamond Comics Distribution Partnership

When it comes to Comic distribution 1 name is really the king of it and that happens to be Diamond Comics Distribution who many would argue has a monopoly on it but today we found out that AT&T, WB & DC Comics will no longer be part of that deal.

After 25 years, DC and Diamond Comic Distributors are ending their long-standing relationship," a DC representative told ComicBook.com in a statement. "Moving forward, comic book retailers can obtain their DC books from Penguin Random House, or their books and periodicals through Lunar or UCS comic book distributors. DC continues to be committed to providing the Direct Market with best in class service and the fans with the world's greatest comic books."

While critics have often said that Diamond's distribution monopoly had the potential to be bad for comics, the relatively low profitability of comics distribution seemed to be a barrier to new competitors entering the market. With comics distribution halted entirely for a time, comic book retailers seem to have decided it was in their best interests to have a fallback.

Now, for one of the two largest publishers of periodical comics in North America, that fallback is the new normal.

Penguin Random House entering the marketplace is interesting, too -- it seems likely they will take on bookstore distribution for graphic novels and collected editions, while Lunar and UCS tackle direct market and single issue distribution. Comic book retailers apparently got the word just before news broke on social media, with an email that told them the changes would be effective immediately.

"This change in DC's distribution plans has not been made lightly and follows a long period of thought and consideration," the publisher assured direct market retailers. "The change of direction is in line with DC's overall strategic vision intended to improve the health of, and strengthen, the Direct Market as well as grow the number of fans who read comics worldwide." SOURCE