The comic book industry’s longtime solo distributor finds time (and creditors) catching up with it.
Founded in 1982, Diamond owner Steve Geppi slowly built up the distribution business.
Until, at the beginning of this year, Diamond declared bankruptcy.
The comics business is, to put it gently, a very stupid way of doing business.
A comic book company starts advertising a book months in advance.
The distributor gathers up orders from multiple shops, and tells the publisher how many they need printed.
The shop pays the distributor who pays the publisher, and the transaction is complete.
Diamonds issue is that the buck apparently largely stopped there.
have been jumping ship ever since.
And for smaller publishers likeTwoMorrowsorAntarctic Press, thats really bad.
It was bad when Diamond was alone in the marketplace.
Diamond was notorious for late deliveries, missing product, and damaged goods.
But its bad that Diamond is leaving it, too.
Now, youre back to hoping for second printings.
The industry is locked into pretty significant change now.
Heres hoping it comes out the other side stronger.
