The future of Diamond Comic Distributors is more uncertain than ever. Following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, a recent Baltimore Banner report suggested that without a buyer, Diamond could close its doors as soon as April 1, 2025. With so much at stake, comic retailers must brace for potential disruptions to their supply chains.
Joe Murray, President of ComicsPRO, recently took to social media to share his proactive approach, urging retailers to prepare a “Comics Professional’s Go Bag”—a survival kit of information and strategies for navigating a world without Diamond. His message? Be ready to pivot, stay connected, and safeguard your business.
A Retailer’s Survival Kit
Murray likens the industry’s current situation to dealing with a natural disaster: “We’ve all learned the phrase ‘go bag’ because of the wildfires. So here is my advice and how I am handling it for my store.”
His list of preparations covers everything from financial documentation to backup plans for ordering inventory. He stresses the importance of having immediate access to records of outstanding invoices, payments, and credits in case retailers need to reconcile accounts or source products elsewhere. “At some point, Diamond is going to want to collect on outstanding bills… Have all of your documentation.”
Murray also highlights the need for comic shops to safeguard their subscription data, especially for those using Diamond-backed tools like ComicsSuite and Pullbox. He recommends backing up data daily and exploring alternative systems such as Manage Comics, Comic Shop Assistant, and ComicHub, which may be able to migrate key store data—“but only if they can access it.”
Another key component? Securing alternative distribution sources. “Open the account even if you might not need it,” he advises. From publishers to book distributors like Ingram, and platforms like Pubeasy and Edelweiss, retailers need to ensure they can still access the books their customers want. He even suggests going deeper on Diamond-exclusive trades now, just in case they become harder to restock.
Thinking Beyond the Short Term
Beyond securing inventory, Murray urges retailers to assess their financial health. A credit line with a bank could help businesses weather supply disruptions and unforeseen costs. He also emphasizes the importance of inventory management: “What are you sitting on right now that isn’t paying its keep? ‘Maybe One Day’ inventory isn’t as useful as cash.”
Relationships are another key to surviving this uncertain period. Murray advises retailers to establish strong connections with sales reps and fellow store owners. “No one of us is going to have all the answers or all the sources, but collectively we do.” By sharing insights, retailers can help each other navigate this transition.
The Industry Will Adapt—But Preparation is Key
Despite the uncertainty, Murray remains level-headed. “Too many variables right now. We can’t predict the future; we can only prepare in the present.” He encourages retailers to stay flexible and forward-thinking, ready to adapt as the situation evolves.
ComicsPRO, he says, is committed to keeping retailers informed. “When we know it, you’ll know it.” As part of that effort, he urges retailers to attend upcoming meetings—whether in person or virtually—to collaborate on solutions and stay ahead of potential challenges.
In short, the message is clear: Be prepared, stay connected, and don’t panic. The comic retail industry has weathered storms before, and with smart planning, it can do so again.
Comics Professional’s Go Bag Checklist
- Financial Records: Keep a record of payments, outstanding bills, invoices, and credits owed in case of reconciliation with Diamond.
- Outstanding Orders List: Document all pending orders with Diamond to source replacements or notify customers.
- Backup Subscription Data: If using ComicsSuite or Pullbox, back up data daily and explore alternative POS/subscription management systems.
- Printed Records: Have hard copies or PDFs of customer orders, subscriptions, gift certificates, and special orders as a precaution.
- Alternative Vendors: Open accounts with other distributors (even if unsure of needing them) and check for order minimums.
- Data Scraping: Save useful information from Diamond’s site, including order history and product databases.
- Exclusive Trades: Stock up on Diamond-exclusive trades that perform well in case reorders become difficult.
- Additional Title Sources: Familiarize yourself with tools like Pubeasy, Edelweiss, NetGalley, and publisher websites for product information.
- Financial Safety Net: Secure a line of credit to navigate potential disruptions and slow periods.
- Inventory Optimization: Identify and sell stagnant inventory to free up cash flow.
- Sales Rep Relationships: Maintain strong connections with distributor and publisher reps.
- Retailer Network: Stay engaged with other comic shops to share insights, challenges, and solutions.
- Adaptability Mindset: Stay flexible and ready to pivot as the situation evolves.
While uncertainty looms over Diamond’s fate, proactive preparation will help retailers navigate whatever comes next. As Murray puts it: “You got this.”