Image Comics has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Lunar Distribution, which is already the non-exclusive distributor of DC. Image leaves behi🎃nd Diamond Comic Distributors, the publisher's exclusive distributor sinc𝔍e 1995.
"We are thrilled to announce our exclusive worldwide distribution deal with Image Comics. We are constantly seeking innovative ways to expand our reach and bring exceptional content to our retail accounts around the world," states Lunar co-owner Christina Me🥂rkler in the announcement.
"This partnership will allow us to further expand our offerings and provide unparalleled access to the most exciting and sought-after titles in the industry. We look forward to working closely with Ima🦋ge and continuing to provide top-notch service to our Direct Market accounts," she concludes.
Lunar ꧃has been one of DC's distributors since 2020, when the company was founded. They initially shared DC distribution rights with UCS Distribution, though 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:DC has si🥂nce ended its contract with UCS and 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:signed with Universal Distribution for certain releases alongside Lunar.
DC's departure from Diamond marked the end of Diamond's essential monopoly on direct market distribution of comic books to retailers, with 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Marvel departing Diamond in 2021, an🍸d more publishers including IDW and Dark Horse following suit.
Diamond had been the exclusive distributor of most major North American publishers since the mid-'90s, around the time of its initial contract with Image. Now, all of the so-called "Big Five" North American publishers - DC, Marvel, Image, IDW, and Dark Horse - have all ended their exclusꦚive Diamond agreements.
Image Comics is the third largest domestic comic book publisher in North America, and one of the biggest rivals of DC and Marvel - and was also Diamond's biggest remaining exclusive acc𝔉ount. Diamond still acts as a wholesaler for Marꦉvel and some other publishers for which it is not technically a "distributor," an arrangement which is also allowed by Image's exclusive contract with Lunar.
Image Comics will also continue to use Diamond as its bookstore distributor, meaning that Diamond will still distribute Image titles to mainstream stores like Barnes and Noble, along with their c✨ollected editions and trade paperbacks, as confirmed by .
The change will begin in September.
Correction: an earlier version of this story indicated that Image Comics would not use Diamond Comic Distributors as a wholesaler following its move to Lunar Distribution.
And now for something completely different: the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best horror comics of all time.
I've been Newsarama's resident Marvel Comics expert and general comic book historian since 2011. I've also been the on-site reporter at most major comic conventions such as Comic-Con International: San Diego, New York Comic Coꦕn, and C2E2. Outside of comic journalism, I am the artist of many weird pictures, and the guitarist of many heavy riffs. (They/Them)
