If you're at all into comic books, you've doubtlessly heard about the bankruptcy and sale and reorganization and major layoffs and insolvency and battles over inventory, yadda yadda yadda, involving Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. For years now, that firm has been at the center of the network of comic book shops and other retailers…and it isn't just comic books. It's hardcover books and toys and games and other merchandise. I've received a lot of ASK me questions ASKING me what it all means, what's going to happen, will the industry survive.
I only feel confident answering that last part: Yes, the industry will survive. There are people out there who want to buy what Diamond has been distributing and there are companies that want to sell what Diamond has been distributing and that's all it takes: Supply and demand. Things will change but then they're always changing in this marketplace…
…and that's about all I know. People say I have vast knowledge about comics but…well, not about distribution, I don't. I've had it explained to me several times by folks who might as well have been speaking Swahili for all I've been able to absorb. There are many subjects that my brain just won't allow on the premises and that's one of them. So you can stop writing and asking me about the details of what happened, what's going to happen and how it all works.
I even went so far as to call a friend of mine who seems to know all about this kind of thing and to ask him what I could or would say here. He said, "Tell 'em it'll all work out and the business will still be in business." Well, that I did know. But then he added, "It's going to take a lot of patience as everything's put back together and since so many books are printed overseas, Trump ain't helping matters with his stupid tariffs. So tell everyone to be patient and to support small publishers."
Okay. Be patient and support small publishers. And stop asking me to explain it all. I am of no help.