Dark Horse has expanded their partnership with Penguin Random House Publisher Services with a multi-year agreement to distribute Dark Horse single-issue comics worldwide.
The press release follows:
Media Release -- Dark Horse Comics, an industry-leading publisher of comic books, graphic novels, and manga, and Penguin Random House Publisher Services (PRHPS), a division of Penguin Random House, today announced an exclusive worldwide multi-year agreement for the sales and distribution of Dark Horse's newly published and backlist comic book periodicals, graphic novels, and manga to the Direct Market comic shops. The new agreement, which begins June 1, 2023 expands its current partnership, in which PRHPS sells and distributes Dark Horse's trade-book frontlist and backlist to bookstores.
By continuing to expand its reach into the Direct Market, Penguin Random House's mission is to support comic shops in fostering for fans of all ages a life-long love of comics, graphic novels, and manga. PRH is a free-freight company, and is committed to bolstering all physical retail, where independently owned comic shops and bookstores are some of the most passionate industry advocates and anchors of their communities. The company's newest distribution facility, a one-million square-foot fulfillment center in Hampstead, Maryland, in tandem with the company's fulfillment headquarters in nearby Westminster, are the centerpieces for its comics Direct Market supply chain.
Dark Horse Founder and CEO Mike Richardson said, "It's an exciting time for the industry, and our move to Penguin Random House for Direct Market distribution comes after our successful partnership in bookstore distribution. Random House will help us expand our reach to retailers and fans around the globe." Richardson added, "Diamond Distribution has been a key partner for Dark Horse for nearly thirty years. As we move on to this next stage in our company's growth, we want to say thanks to Steve Geppi, Chuck Parker, and the Diamond team, and while we will be moving our comics distribution to Penguin Random House, it is important to note that our products will still be available through Diamond as well."
Jeff Abraham, President of Penguin Random House Publisher Services, said, "We are incredibly proud of our long-standing partnership with Dark Horse, and are excited to reach new heights with this expansion. We've grown together in an ever-evolving retail landscape for graphic storytelling, and we see this next step as further commitment to supporting Dark Horse, and our retail partners, well into the future."
Direct Market retailers can choose to order Dark Horse products direct from PRH, or alternatively, through Diamond, as a wholesaler, under terms established by Diamond in the US and the UK. These retailers now have 24/7 access to online ordering at https://selfservice.penguinrandomhouse.biz/ and can also visit www.prhcomics.com, a website for comics, graphic novels, manga, and more, designed specifically for US Direct Market comic shop retailers and consumers.
The response from Steve Geppi, founder of Diamond Comic Distributors and CEO of Geppi Family Enterprises:
"Dark Horse has been our valued partner for close to thirty years and we are pleased that Diamond remains a key source for Dark Horse comics and graphic novels to the Direct Market domestically and internationally."
"We are also pleased to maintain our role as distributor of Dark Horse merchandise worldwide. It is important to note that while Dark Horse is an established name in the industry, the expected impact of this change to Diamond's Dark Horse direct market sales represents only approximately 1% of Diamond's top line sales inclusive of comics, games, merchandise, and pop culture items. We are so much more than just comic book distribution!"
"Diamond and all the Geppi Family Enterprises companies have worked strategically and successfully to diversify over the years, with our most recent example being the launch of Overstreet Access, an online subscription comic collection management platform and price guide. I remain proud of the role Diamond plays in the industry and steadfast in my commitment to the Direct Market. I look forward to our continued service of the Direct and book markets as well as the continued growth of the GFE portfolio of companies."
