Following the big news that Diamond Comic Distributors has filed bankruptcy, a comic book retailer steps forward and places the blame on DC Comics.
DC Comics cut ties with Diamond back in 2020 and chose to go with Lunar Distribution, UCS Comic Distributors, and Penguin Random House, and as of 2023, Universal Distribution for comics releases to comic stores.
Brian Hibbs, who has owned Comix Experience in San Francisco since 1989, and who is known for penning a column at Comic Book Resources from 2008 to 2016, posted the following on his Facebook blaming DC Comics.
Hibbs says Diamond Comic Distributors going bankruptcy is “dire news” for the comic book market. He adds to say “goodbye” to most small publishers and explains the current crop of remaining distributors aren’t interested in working with small publishers. Hibbs adds about DC Comics: “Never EVER forget that the blame for this falls directly upon DC Comics, and we should never forget this, or ever withhold that blame.”
Here is his full message:
There are a LOT of people who were actively rooting for Diamond comics to fail. Well, your wishes appear to be coming true, as Diamond files for Chapter 11, and this is going to be TRULY dire news for the Direct Market, at least in the short and medium term. Say “Goodbye” to most smaller publishers, and “so long” for the right opportunities for a majority of smaller and unproven creators.
Never EVER forget that the blame for this falls directly upon DC Comics, and we should never forget this, or ever withhold that blame.
My best wishes for Steve Geppi , as well as all of the staff at Diamond — and my most fervant prayers for creators and my fellow retailers that we’re all going to be able to navigate this disruption to the market.
PEOPLE: Penguin Random House DOES NOT WANT any accounts smaller than they already have, and Lunar (besides being the primary retail competition for all of us) is really REALLY bad at their jobs and, in my personal estimation, could not possibly HANDLE adding more vendors. 2025 is going to be a nightmare.
Hibbs also included a link in the comments to a recent YouTube interview he participated in where he talks about the risks to the director comic book market if Diamond was to fail.
According to Diamond Comic Distributors, the company remains open as they look to sell off their assets. The plan is to fulfill all orders in a “complete and timely fashion.”
