The Shift in US Comic Book Distribution: A Time of Uncertainty
Video game publisher Udon, known for Street Fighter, Mega Man, Elden Ring, among others, severed ties with financially distressed distributor Diamond Comics.
Until 2020, Diamond Comic Distributors held a tight grip on comic book distribution in the US. retailers often complained about them, claiming deliveries arrived damaged, late, or not at all - especially in smaller towns. In March 2020, Diamond announced it would stop deliveries during the Covid-19 pandemic, and that's when things started to change.
DC Comics saw an opportunity and jumped ship, switching to Lunar Distribution and UCS Comic Distributors for monthly releases and Penguin Random House for book-sized releases. One by one, other publishers followed suit, including Marvel. Diamond's battle was no longer just with retailers; it was against the very publishers it had long been associated with. The comic book giant declared bankruptcy in January 2025.
Udon was one of the last publishers still working with Diamond, alongside Dynamite, which claimed Diamond owed it half a million dollars. But even Udon couldn't stand the uncertainty. They halted all shipments to Diamond in favor of Lunar Distribution. Udon's Manga Classics imprint is now being distributed by Simon & Schuster.
"With the current state of uncertainty and lack of communication from the new owners, we have to do what is best to serve our customers," Udon's chief of operations, Erik Ko, said. "We realize this is a deep inconvenience for many retailers, but we're trying to do our best to serve our partners and fans, while minimizing risk and moving forward in an uncertain time."
This decision has delayed the release of Udon's new series Mega Man Timelines, pushing it back a month to a June 25 release. Udon's future comics, manga, and art books will be distributed by Lunar, including any more of the Capcom-licensed books it's famous for, like Street Fighter, Darkstalkers, and Final Fight, as well as books based on games like Elden Ring and Persona.
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Jody Macgregor, a former music journalist who's interviewed everyone from Giorgio Moroder to Trent Reznor, co-hosted Australia's first radio show about videogames, Zed Games. He's written for Rock Paper Shotgun, The Big Issue, GamesRadar, Zam, Glixel, Five Out of Ten Magazine, and Playboy.com, whose cheques with the bunny logo made for fun conversations at the bank. Jody's first article for PC Gamer was about the audio of Alien Isolation, published in 2015, and since then he's written about why Silent Hill belongs on PC, why Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale is the best fantasy shopkeeper tycoon game, and how weird Lost Ark can get. Jody edited PC Gamer Indie from 2017 to 2018, and he eventually lived up to his promise to play every Warhammer videogame.
Behind the Scenes: The Collapse of Diamond Comic Distributors
- Bankruptcy and Sale: Diamond Comic Distributors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2025 and completed the sale of its assets to Universal Distribution LLC and Ad Populum. The company is seeking a 120-day extension on its bankruptcy proceedings until September 11, 2025, to finalize post-sale arrangements and address creditor claims.
- Publisher Shifts: Major publishers like Marvel and DC Comics have moved away from Diamond, leading to a domino effect for other publishers. Marvel is now distributed by Penguin Random House (PRH), while DC Comics has partnered with UCS and Lunar. This shift has inspired other publishers to seek alternative distributors, such as Lunar, which now works with Image Comics and other notable publishers.
- Industry Impact: The uncertainty surrounding Diamond's bankruptcy has led to logistical challenges and financial strain for publishers and retailers. There is a growing reliance on multiple distributors, complicating the ordering process for retailers due to varied vendor solicitations. Additionally, the future of events like Free Comic Book Day, traditionally organized by Diamond, remains uncertain.
- Future Prospects: The comic book industry is adapting to these changes, with some publishers taking a cautious approach to distribution. The sale of Diamond's assets could stabilize parts of the distribution network, but the industry's future remains uncertain as it navigates these significant shifts.
- In the midst of the gaming world, fans are waiting with bated breath for the upcoming release of Udon's Mega Man Timelines, which has been delayed by a month due to Udon's decision to switch distributors.
- Jody Macgregor, a veteran journalist and former host of Australia's first radio show about videogames, now writes for PC Gamer, where he has penned articles on a variety of topics, from the audio of Alien Isolation to the best fantasy shopkeeper tycoon game, Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale.
- As Marvel's former distributor, Diamond Comics faced numerous challenges, including deliveries that arrived damaged, late, or not at all, especially in smaller towns. After filing for bankruptcy in January 2025, the company was sold to Universal Distribution LLC and Ad Populum, with Marvel subsequently moving to Penguin Random House for distribution.
- Amidst the uncertainty brought about by Diamond Comic Distributors' bankruptcy, gadget enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the release of the latest smartphones, powered by groundbreaking technology, keeping up with the fast-paced evolution of the tech industry.
