Posted in: Comics, DC Comics | Tagged: coronavirus comics, dc comics, diamond, distributor wars, lunar, ucs

DC Comics Quits Diamond For Good, For UCS/Lunar – What About UK?

Bleeding Cool is being told by, well, everyone it seems right now, that DC Comics is completely quitting being distributed by Diamond Comic Distributors.

Bleeding Cool is being told by, well, everyone it seems right now, that DC Comics is completely quitting being distributed by Diamond Comic Distributors in favour of the two new distributors they set up with the biggest direct market retail accounts Midtown Comics (UCS Comic Distributors) and DCBS (Lunar Distribution).

The original change in distribution occurred after Diamond shut down during initial stages of the pandemic but it was promised that DC would be returning to Diamond as well, which they did. And that's been the way for this whole month, though there were some teething troubles.

But just as it seems that Diamond is about to distribute the quarter-of-a-million copies of Batman #92 they have had sitting in their warehouses for a couple of months, DC Comics retailers that they are pulling out of Diamond Comic Distributors altogether. The letter reads;

JUNE 5, 2020

Dear DC Direct Market Retailer,

First and foremost, we hope this finds you safe and well especially during what has been an incredibly challenging year. We are writing today to share with you that DC's long-standing relationship with Diamond Comic Distributors is coming to a close effective following Diamond's distribution of product offered on DC's FOC list of June 1st. We want to thank Steve Geppi and the great people at Diamond for all the years of service.

We recognize that, to many of you, this may seem like a momentous decision. However, we can assure you that this change in DC's distribution plans has not been made lightly and follows a long period of thought and consideration. 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.

In the near term, Diamond will only be fulfilling orders placed through June 1 Final Order Cut-Off and will not solicit the sale of new DC titles further. To ensure a smooth transition for retailers, DC will suspend Final Order Cut-Off for June 8, making those books available to order on Final Order Cut-Off on June 15.

Moving forward, we will continue our distribution relationship with Lunar Distribution and UCS Comic Distributors for distribution of periodicals and graphic novels, and Penguin Random House for distribution of graphic novels, worldwide.

We believe this new distribution system will bring you world class service using top of the line and modern systems that will provide you the most efficient operational supply chain. DC will continue to look for ways, together with our new partners, to better serve you and the fans to the best of our ability. We remain committed to the Direct Market and look forward to partnering with you to grow your business and to get the best comic books and graphic novels to the fans in the most efficient and seamless manner.

How this will affect UK stores, who don't receive comics from UCS or Lunar, is yet to be determined. UPDATE: DC Comics have added a Q&A session right here.

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