Diamond Comics Distributors files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

The once-dominant comics distributor is ‘looking at potential buyers for their … business units.’

Diamond Comics Distributors, which spent decades as the primary comics distributor in North America, has announced they’ve filed for “a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court.”

This means they’ve filed for protection from those they are indebted to as they reorganize their business, keeping them operational as they attempt to pay back their creditors. This is different than Chapter 7 bankruptcy, where a company goes completely under, is sold for parts and the money is used to pay back those they owe.

As a part of their restructuring, Diamond says they’ve already started negotiations to sell their Alliance Game Distributors business to Universal Distribution. It sounds like Universal could be a potential buyer for their Diamond UK business as well. They also said they’re looking at potential buyers for their other business units, including Diamond Book Distributors, Collectible Grading Authority and Diamond Select Toys, as well as their main comic, toy and collectible distribution lines.

“Diamond has been a linchpin of the comic book industry for over four decades. Our priority has always been to provide quality service to publishers, retailers, and, ultimately, comic fans, and we remain committed to finding additional buyers for our businesses,” said Diamond President Chuck Parker in the announcement.

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Indy comics icon, Marvel Comics legend “Fabulous” Flo Steinberg passed away

Best known as one of Marvel’s original bullpen members and an independent comics pioneer, Flo Steinberg has passed away Sunday morning. According to Larry Hama, who reported her death on his Facebook page.

I am grieved to report that ‘Fabulous’ Flo Steinberg passed away this morning after complications from a brain aneurism and metastatic lung cancer. She will be interred at the Jewish cemetery in Kerhonkson NY. We are making plans for a memorial in September or October. I will update on this page.

“Fabulous” Flo Steinberg, art by Jack Kirby

Steinberg’s career in comics began in the 1960s as Marvel’s only employee besides Stan Lee. She was the company’s first receptionist, answered letters, managed the Merry Marvel Merry Marvel Marching Society, and making sure the company ran smoothly. She is considered one of the key people in growing Marvel into one of “the big two” in comic book publishing. And many times, she has been featured in comics along with the Marvel Bullpen as herself.

She eventually left Marvel. After a short break from the comics industry, she returned to New York City to help run Captain Company, the mail-order division of the horror-comics magazine firm, Warren Publishing.

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Comics Lowdown | Bookscan charts, female readers and the Big Two

Comics gets a wake-up call, Wonder Woman gets a long-lost brother and Ted Rall gets SLAPPed.

It’s like comics is going through its half-year review, and manga and kids’ graphic novels get high marks but Marvel and DC get a low “needs improvement.” Heidi MacDonald has a long but very readable article at The Beat summarizing what’s going on: Comics are thriving, but not monthly comics and not in comic shops:

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