IDW is next publisher to move from Diamond to Penguin-Random House
Look who else is following in DC and Marvel's footsteps, moving to a different distributor, as reported by Newsarama:
For now, IDW's move is a step in the right direction, but unless they make sure their overall story quality is good, it won't mean much in the long run to transfer their distribution deals to sources other than Diamond, which, for all we know, might eventually go under.
IDW Publishing has announced plans to move its Direct Market comic book distribution from Diamond Comic Distributor to Penguin Random House Publisher Services (PRHPS) in an "exclusive, multi-year, worldwide" agreement, expanding the book publisher's recently started comic book distribution operation.So far, it doesn't look like there's any complaints from retail store managers who could've criticized DC's move earlier. If not, then again, I can't understand why, when DC does something like this, it's suddenly a big deal, rather than their artistic failures. It was unacceptable when anybody in the press and retail business made that fuss earlier, and they should admit it was wrong to pan DC in the first place for their decision.
IDW's move to PRHPS follows Marvel Comics' announcement that it will begin using PRHPS' distribution over Diamond's starting in November. It's not a total jump for IDW, as the publisher has already been distributing its bookstore releases through PRHPS. IDW's new distribution deal for monthly comic releases through PRHPS will begin on June 1, 2022.
For now, IDW's move is a step in the right direction, but unless they make sure their overall story quality is good, it won't mean much in the long run to transfer their distribution deals to sources other than Diamond, which, for all we know, might eventually go under.
Labels: indie publishers, sales
