DC informierte einige Comic-Händler per e-mail darüber, das der Verlag nun endgültig seine Geschäftsbeziehung zum (bisherigen "Exklusiv"-) Vertrieb Diamond Comic Distributors beendet hat!
Dem stets gut informierten Entertainment-Branchen-Fachblatt "The Hollywood Reporter" zufolge wird DC seine diversen Comic Books, Collected Eidtions etc. künftig über die beiden bisher nur regional tätigenUS-Vertriebe "Lunar Distribution" und "UCS Comic Distributors" vertreiben (beide liefern nur in Nordamerika aus!); hinter diesen sogenannten "Vertrieben" verbergen sich tatsächlich große Versand-Comichändler (und somit eigentlich Konkurrenten der kleineren Comic-Shops; wahrhaft "exzellent" von DC ausgewählt, die Händler werden sich bedanken.).
Die Collected Editions (TPs und HCs) will man künftig über den Buch Vertrieb von "Penguin Random House" abwickeln.
“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.”
"After 25 years, DC and Diamond Comic Distributors are ending their long-standing relationship. Moving forward, comic book retailers can obtain their DC books from Penguin Random House, or their books and periodicals through Lunar or UCS comic book distributors. DC continues to be committed to providing the Direct Market with best in class service and the fans with the world’s greatest comic books", ergänzt ein ungenannter DC Mitarbeiter.
Wie Comic-Shops in Europa künftig zeitnah (= US-Erstverkaufstag auch Erst-Verkaufstag bei uns!) an die DC Sachen herankommen sollen (DCs neue wundersame Vertriebsfirmen liefern nur innerhalb der USA und Teilen Kanadas aus!) verrät uns dieser "Jubel-"Text aus DCs PR-Maschine leider nicht!
Diamond Gründer Steve Geppi ergänzt dazu:
“DC, in their last contract renewal a year-and-a-half ago, asked to add a clause where they could get out of the exclusive part with 60 days notice with no reason needed. We agreed. Then the pandemic came on, and they exercised that option. They’re non-exclusive, and that allowed them to sell to those others. That was that.”