Fan-Favorite Indie Publisher Announces New Distribution Amid Diamond Woes

Following Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc.'s bankruptcy, Vault Comics has announced the upcoming direct-to-retailer distribution of all its new titles. The new direct-to-retailer distribution platform, which launches on February 3, will operate alongside its existing distribution channels.

Per Vault Comics, retailers and comics shops can sign up for a direct sales account. New retail accounts that sign up before February 28 will receive free shipping on all orders for the first six months. The publisher will make products available to retailers at discounts of at least fifty percent of the retail price, with automatic additional discounting per order based on total order cost. After that, base discounts will be determined by account ordering volume, and free shipping will continue for qualifying orders. Vault guarantees that its packing, shipping timelines, shortages, and damages policies will meet or ​exceed industry standards.

In addition, Vault will make broad adjustments to its publishing plans to best align formats and release dates across its distribution channels, including the new direct-to-retailer distribution, Lunar Distribution, and Simon & Schuster. The publisher reveals that the adjustments will entail delays or cancellations and new solicitation of upcoming Vault titles, promising to announce format changes and release dates in the coming weeks.

Vault CEO Damian Wassel discussed the motivation for establishing the new direct-to-retailer distribution platform. "We want to make sure we deliver our books to fans, comic shops, and booksellers in the best way possible,' he said. "We believe launching direct-to-retailer distribution is the right step for our business, creators, and fans, and we look forward to delivering some incredible books straight to the retailers who helped us build Vault."

Another Major Publisher's Reaction to Diamond Comic Distributors' Bankruptcy

The pivot by Vault comes after Diamond Comic Distributors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, seeking the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland to facilitate the restructuring of the business. Also recently, it was revealed that Image Comics will no longer allow Diamond to purchase its books through Lunar Distribution. Starting with the titles that hit Final Order Cutoff earlier this week, Lunar has notified its accounts that Diamond will no longer be distributing the publisher's titles.

Image intends to print the quantities ordered on January 13 by all distributors, but Diamond's quantities will now only be available directly from Lunar. First affected are the comics set to arrive in the first week of February, with graphic novels due later that month.

Vault Comics' direct-to-retailer distribution platform will launch on February 3, 2025.

Source: Vault Comics