Posted in: Boom, Comics, Comics Publishers, Current News | Tagged: library, Penguin Random House

Boom Studios Leaves Libraries Because Of Penguin Random House

Boom Studios comic books leaves libraries because of Penguin Random House's policies over digital distribution

When I scooped the news that Penguin Random House was buying Boom Studios back in July 2024, I was told – and reported – that this included Penguin Random House taking over distribution of Boom Studios as well. Well, after the news was announced officially, internally and externally, Boom Studios stated that the switch would happen in July 2025, alongside Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics, TokyoPop and IDW. But things were hurried up, courtesy of Diamond Comic Distributors' Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. And now it seems that a few more corporate-led changes are starting to play out…

One impact is being felt by some readers as Boom Studios comic books are suddenly becoming subject to Penguin Random House limitations on digital book distribution by libraries. Comics Plus, which is a much cheaper for libraries than options like Libby and Hoopla, told customers;

"Last summer, Penguin Random House (PRH) acquired BOOM! Studios, which is now part of the Random House Worlds portfolio of imprints at The Random House Publishing Group. Unfortunately, PRH doesn't support the unlimited access nor engagement models that Comics Plus requires to serve our library and school customers. To comply with PRH's ebook policy, we will be deactivating all BOOM! titles in all Comics Plus customer accounts on May 30, 2025."

And now libraries who use such services are following suit.

"Boom! Studios comics will be removed from the ComicsPlus collections, for both adults and kids, on 30 May 2025. Boom! Studios was acquired by Penguin Random House, which limits content libraries can offer to our members, and are taking away their entire collections. The comics in the Boom! Studios collection include Dune: House Atreides, Planet of the Apes, Artesia, Firefly, Garfield, Lumberjanes, Bee and Puppycat, and many others for all ages. Read them quickly, or miss out!"

Books will still be available physically. But the limited and legal distribution of Boom Studios titles digitally to library members is coming to an end, certainly as far as this avenue goes. Remember, folks, you don't want to mess with the Penguin, it'll never end well.

Guy LeCharles Gonzalez, Chief Content & Marketing Officer at LibraryPass/Comics Plus tells us;

"While it's disappointing to lose a publisher partner to consolidation, we knew it was a likely outcome when PRH acquired BOOM! last year. Comics Plus will continue to be a robust service for libraries and schools thanks to the many library-friendly publishers who believe in offering equitable digital access to readers. Dark Horse, Dynamite, Image Comics, Mad Cave, Oni Press, Tokyopop, and Yen Press — among dozens of others — continue to support unlimited, simultaneous access through Comics Plus, and we'll continue to add new titles to the collection every week.

"Librarians are very aware of the restrictive ebook licensing models preferred by some publishers, and our customers understand how those models affect what is and isn't available to their readers through Comics Plus."

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