Posted in: Comics | Tagged: backthecomeback, Comics, diamond

Diamond Launches Auction to Help Comics and Game Stores

Diamond launches an auction to benefot comic store including Frank Cho's Ice Queen oil painting and 1993 Uncut Magic The Gathering sheet.

Published Thu, 25 Jun 2020 12:38:27 -0500

by Rich Johnston

Last updated Thu, 12 Dec 2024 10:03:46 -0600

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Diamond Comic Distributors and Alliance Game Distributors, part of Geppi Family Enterprises, are launching a charity auction designed to raise relief funds for comic book and game stores.

An online auction hosted by Diamond International Galleries will begin on July 4th, will run through July 18th and features a wide range of items up for auction, donated by artists, publishers, game designers and friends of the industry. Steve Geppi has kicked off donations to the auction with items valued at approximately $50,000.

This includes an oil on canvas painting called, The Ice Queen, created by Frank Cho and published in his book Drawing Beautiful Women. And an uncut sheet of playing cards from the original Magic: The Gathering from 1993.

The full list of items will be available upon Diamond's launch of the auction Saturday, July 4th. Interested bidders are encouraged to visit DIGAuction to create a free account. Auction proceeds will go directly to charities that support comic and game retailers. Winning bidders can select which charity they wish to support from a list of options including the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (BINC), The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, amd the Jack Vasel Memorial Fund.

The third and final phase of Diamond's campaign is centred around in-store retailer support. A number of comic publishers have supported the #BackTheComeback campaign by printing the logo on the cover of their books, including Marvel, IDW Publishing, Image Comics, and AC Comics. Game stores can expect to see in-store promotions beginning July 6th to coincide with the launch of the auction. Alliance Game Distributors has planned 6-weeks of promotions; each promotion will start on a Monday and will run for 4-weeks. Participating gaming publishers include Alderac Entertainment Group, Smirk and Dagger Games, Renegade Game Studios, and WizKids.