SAN DIEGO, CA (June 5, 2020) – In a year of comic market volatility and uncertainty, IDW is pledging its support for Direct Market comic retailers, by extending full returnability on all new releases through at least the end of July, and removing all associated fees for the foreseeable future. These moves help to provide comic specialty shops a risk-free opportunity to stock new launches and other key IDW releases — allowing retailers to order with confidence and effectively gauge customer demand.
To further support the comic shops taking advantage of the risk-free returnable programs, IDW is pledging to aggressively promote store traffic via social media initiatives, email messaging to subscribers, and additional means of customer outreach.
"Comic shops are the frontlines of the comic industry, where word-of-mouth, spinner racks, and staff hand-selling make all the difference in a comic book's success," says Chris Ryall, IDW's President, Publisher, and CCO. "It's our responsibility as publisher to make that process as low-stress as possible for our partners in the retail community. During a time like this, making it easier to stock our books is really the least we can do."
Coward.I will never read One Piece. That shit is just too far in for me to even contemplate starting.
Batman Creature of the Night is a REALLY fucking good elseworlds story. Perfectly standalone and a really different take on the character. Because of that, you can just jump in.I lurk this thread but don't post much, might as well ask y'all:
So I'm generally a Marvel guy (haven't read DC with any sort of consistency for probably a decade) but I've been in the mood for some Batman lately. What's a good, recent Batman run? Preferably something that's kinda finished but I'm open minded.
Batman Hush is a fun story and I don't care who knowsI lurk this thread but don't post much, might as well ask y'all:
So I'm generally a Marvel guy (haven't read DC with any sort of consistency for probably a decade) but I've been in the mood for some Batman lately. What's a good, recent Batman run? Preferably something that's kinda finished but I'm open minded.
You and me both. Dressrosa was hell, but that's because Oda's health wasn't so great so the manga was going on a lot of hiatuses. His writing style makes reading it weekly rough though. He packs a lot into an issue. Also post-timeskip is less enjoyable and I don't want to go back to the anime. I want to go back and read the manga, but it's manga.I paused reading One Piece around 2013 back when Sabo was revealed to be alive and never really got back to it. Reading One Piece weekly is hell. I told myself I'd wait a few months and let it build up...then months became years...
Never really fully got into the timeskip era of the manga either. Started off on the worst foot possible with Fishman Island.
DC Comics just shot themselves in the foot.
I think his train of thought is quite clear in the post. DC pulls out -> diamond loses revenue from DC -> diamond (which is marvel's sole distributor) collapses due to lack of revenue -> bye bye Marvel
Why wouldn't Marvel simply work with the two distributers that DC is using if Diamond really folds? Also, everyone has recognized that Diamond has been trash a long time but when DC actually does something about it everyone complains.
First thing I thought of when I saw the pic.DC Comics just shot themselves in the foot.
I don't know how much the rest of you know about Comics culture (I'm an expert), but honor and shame are huge parts of it. It's not like it is in Manga where you can become successful by being an asshole. If you screw someone over in America, you bring shame to yourself, and the only way to get rid of that shame is repentance.
What this means is the American public, after hearing about this, is not going to want to purchase DC Comics for either of their new distributors, nor will they purchase any of DC's games. This is HUGE. You can laugh all you want, but DC has alienated an entire market with this move.
DC, publicly apologize and reinstate diamond or you can kiss your business goodbye.
DC Comics just shot themselves in the foot.
I don't know how much the rest of you know about Comics culture (I'm an expert), but honor and shame are huge parts of it. It's not like it is in Manga where you can become successful by being an asshole. If you screw someone over in America, you bring shame to yourself, and the only way to get rid of that shame is repentance.
What this means is the American public, after hearing about this, is not going to want to purchase DC Comics for either of their new distributors, nor will they purchase any of DC's games. This is HUGE. You can laugh all you want, but DC has alienated an entire market with this move.
DC, publicly apologize and reinstate diamond or you can kiss your business goodbye.
Sounds about right.DC Comics just shot themselves in the foot.
I don't know how much the rest of you know about Comics culture (I'm an expert), but honor and shame are huge parts of it. It's not like it is in Manga where you can become successful by being an asshole. If you screw someone over in America, you bring shame to yourself, and the only way to get rid of that shame is repentance.
What this means is the American public, after hearing about this, is not going to want to purchase DC Comics for either of their new distributors, nor will they purchase any of DC's games. This is HUGE. You can laugh all you want, but DC has alienated an entire market with this move.
DC, publicly apologize and reinstate diamond or you can kiss your business goodbye.
Well Diamond only handles paper publishing, Marvel and DC and do as much Digital as they want so long as they have talent and a digital platform to put it on.I also have to wonder. In the age of the internet and online payments, can DC/Marvel really not afford to take this inhouse!? The overhead now must be much lower than when people were still struggling with mail order and paperwork. And not like Kickstarter/GoFundMe projects are not able to ship directly to individuals around the world (in this case, stores). They don't even need to worry about warehouse space
I also have to wonder. In the age of the internet and online payments, can DC/Marvel really not afford to take this inhouse!? The overhead now must be much lower than when people were still struggling with mail order and paperwork. And not like Kickstarter/GoFundMe projects are not able to ship directly to individuals around the world (in this case, stores). They don't even need to worry about warehouse space
Diamond Response to DC Comics Announcement
This evening, I shared the following message with all the members of our Geppi Family Enterprises teams. I also wanted to share it with you, our many industry partners.
Today, DC sent out a retailer communication indicating they are ending their long-standing relationship with Diamond. In April, we were informed that DC was going to begin distributing products through additional partners. At that time, they asked us to submit a proposal for a revised agreement with the understanding that Diamond would continue to be one of their distributors. Which we promptly did. They then requested an extension to June 30 which we also accommodated. Last week, DC requested an additional extension through July. We responded with questions and DC indicated they would reply today, June 5. Instead of receiving a response, today we received a termination notice. While we had anticipated this as a possible outcome, we, like so many others in the industry, are disappointed by their decision to end our partnership so abruptly at this time.
Although we had hoped to reach an agreement with DC, every great change also presents great opportunity! Rest assured, Diamond is a strong company and our success does not depend on the actions of one business partner. While we recognize this change impacts the industry, we are well-positioned to seize growth opportunities and are committed to the success of our publishing partners, the Direct Market and our industry as a whole.
We continue to be excited about the growth potential in the comic, game and toy industries as well as growth opportunities for our other Geppi Family Enterprises companies. I truly believe that our comeback will be bigger than our setback and our best days are ahead.
Thank you for you continued support and for all you do.
-Steve
Steve Geppi
Chairman, Geppi Family Enterprises
Founder, Diamond Comic Distributors
always good when steve geppi can manage to say something publically that doesn't reveal him to be a complete fucking shitheel.
Isn't this just going from one exclusive retailer to another?if DC's call is "exclusive distributor agreements have almost killed the industry and they're what's keeping it stagnant right now", I feel like that's a reasonable take, that one might have, like me, it's a take I would have
DC suggested a specific distributor for each coast but shops are free to get their books from whichever
this man simps on twitter.
Lol. Seen that.
Probably less money going to Diamond.
just curious. does anyone here think big two comics as a whole are progressive? or have been throughout history?
just curious. does anyone here think big two comics as a whole are progressive? or have been throughout history?
just curious. does anyone here think big two comics as a whole are progressive? or have been throughout history?
whatsinaname I suggested a handful if Eisner nominees to my library yesterday, and they already bought three and have them shipping. They emailed be about another that's not available through their vendors. They're working fast as hell. Damn!
just curious. does anyone here think big two comics as a whole are progressive? or have been throughout history?
Retailers seem to be more upset and confused than anything else. Even Higgins called it a bad move.
There's not much to say about Wonder Woman except that they're getting ready to wrap things up.
Shazam was pretty fun as a stand-alone story during his solo days.
Far Sector was excellent as expected.
these dumb motherfuckers really think Diamond got their monopoly by providing a better service than everyone else, and not because Marvel fucked up and launched a series of terrible exclusivity deals that killed every other distributorComic book retailers unite in shock and anger over DC split with Diamond
The comic shop owners we spoke to are not seeing the good side of DC's movewww.gamesradar.com
These guys are mad.
Retailers we spoke to said the move means higher shipping costs to stores, lower discounting from Diamond, and even thinner profit margins.