In June 2020, DC Comics cut ties with Diamond Comics Distribution after a COVID-19 led shutdown of their distribution in March 2020, having to partner with other Distributors for Comic Shops. It rocked the Comic Book Industry and the world, now it has been almost a year, and Marvel is making headlines, this time choosing a new Distributor, Penguin Random House. According to Newsarama, the Publisher has entered an exclusive multi-year deal with PRHPS, in this new deal it would be delivering comic books, trade collections, and graphic novels to the comic shop market (the Direct Market) beginning on October 1st.
“After a thorough analysis of the market environment, Marvel has chosen Penguin Random House Publisher Services (PRHPS) as its distribution partner to create a sustainable, productive supply chain and enhanced infrastructure for Marvel publications that will benefit comics retailers and fans alike for years to come, Penguin Random House is known for its state-of-the-art multi-ranging services that enable independent booksellers to increase efficiency and profitability.”
Marvel’s Announcement
PRHPS already has an impressive list of clients, DC Comics, Archie Comics, IDW Publishing, Dark Horse Comics, and Kodansha Comics. It was also noted that Marvel would continue to work with Hachette Book Group for distribution of its trade collections and graphic novels to the book trade market. Marvel Entertainment President, Dan Buckley had this to say in regards to the new deal with Penguin Random House and their deal with Diamond Comics Distribution:
“Marvel’s entire history is built on telling great stories. And as we’ve seen for decades, those stories go hand in hand with equipping the comic shops who share them. Marvel and Penguin Random House stand by that vision, and we are excited to build and expand those opportunities for our talent, retailers, and fans, Comics are the core of the Marvel Universe, and we are confident this new partnership will continue to grow and evolve this resilient industry. We look forward to advancing our capabilities with PRHPS to serve our fans and the Direct Market. We thank Diamond for their many years of support and partnership as we continue our relationship with them in other areas.”
Dan Buckley, President of Marvel Entertainment
Penguin Random House Publishers Services President, Jeff Abraham also spoke to Newsarama about the new deal and entering into the Direct Market, you can read the interview here. Meanwhile, Diamond Comics Distribution President, Chairman, and CEO Steve Geppi released a statement regarding the announcement on Marvel’s Decision:
“We value our almost 40-year relationship with Marvel and are pleased that we will continue selling Marvel products to the Direct Market and other channels, the changes Marvel announced today represents a behind-the-scenes shift in how Diamond interacts with Marvel for certain products but does not impact our ability to supply our customers with Marvel comics, trades, and graphic novels. I expect the discount terms under which our retail partners order these Marvel products to change, and Diamond will communicate that information to our customers well in advance of any adjustments. While there are still details of this new arrangement to work through, my leadership team and I are committed to making this supply change as operationally seamless as possible for our retail partners and we look forward to our continued distribution of Marvel products.”
Steve Geppi, Diamond Comics Distribution President, Chairman, and CEO
For more information on this new announcement, head over to Marvel and Newsarama.
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