This article has been updated with a statement from Steve Geppi.
Marvel Comics have announced an exclusive direct market distribution arrangement with Penguin Random House Publisher Services, who will deliver all of the company’s books to comics shops from October 1, 2021. Retailers in the US and UK will still be able to order comics from Diamond Comic Distributors, while Hachette Book Group will continue to distribute Marvel’s original graphic novels and collections in the bookstore market.
Dan Buckley, President of Marvel Entertainment, stated, “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.”
Jeff Abraham, President of Penguin Random House Publisher Services, said, “Based on the foundation of our relationships with physical retailers, we’re confident in the significant growth of the comic book industry and welcome the opportunity to further collaborate with and invest PRHPS’ resources in the Direct Market. Combining the standard-setting supply chain and sales capabilities of PRH with Marvel’s renowned universe of stories and characters, we expect to reach even more fans of its artists and writers throughout the world.”
Steve Geppi, Chairman, President & CEO of Diamond owner Geppi Family Enterprises, said “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 change 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.”
As one of the big five publishers, Penguin Random House also arranges the bookstore sales of DC, Dark Horse, IDW Publishing, Kodansha, Titan, and many more. The news comes almost a year after DC announced their single-market books would be provided to retailers by Lunar Distribution, after the COVID-19 pandemic led to Diamond temporarily shutting down deliveries. Diamond has been the exclusive distributor of Marvel’s comic book store releases since 1997.
According to the press release, “Marvel’s full print and online October Marvel Previews catalog and comic book solicits will be available in July and distributed by PRHPS to active accounts. All comic book and trade orders for titles going on sale this October should be made through PRHPS. Early solicit titles will be available for order starting on May 26. Retailers can open PRHPS accounts now to register for Marvel’s monthly title catalogs and solicits, which will continue to be available to retailers approximately three months ahead of on sale.”
