Bankrupt Diamond Comic Distributors Receives $41 Million for Chapter 11 Restructuring

Diamond Comic Distributors Receives Court Approval for $41 Million in Debtor-in-Possession Financing

Funding Allows the Company to Pay Vendors, Continue Normal Operations

HUNT VALLEY, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Diamond Comic Distributors (“Diamond” or “the Company”), today announced that the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland (“the Court”) has approved Diamond’s $41 million debtor-in-possession (“DIP”) financing agreement with JP Morgan Chase.

“We are pleased that the court has approved our DIP financing agreement. This Court-approved relief is a critical step for the company, ensuring we can pay our vendors and provide product to retailers”

DIP financing is a typical form of financing used by businesses that are restructuring through a Chapter 11 process. It will be used to fund operating expenses and provide adequate working capital to meet its obligations to suppliers.

“We are pleased that the court has approved our DIP financing agreement. This Court-approved relief is a critical step for the company, ensuring we can pay our vendors and provide product to retailers,” said President Chuck Parker.

About Diamond Comic Distributors:

Founded in 1982, Diamond Comic Distributors offers a multi-channel platform of publishing, marketing and fulfillment services, coupled with an unparalleled global distribution network for its retailers, publishers and vendors. Diamond’s mission is simple: to provide our customers the best in products, price and personalized service. Learn more at https://www.diamondcomics.com/

Related: Diamond Comic Distributors Has Filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.

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Diamond Comic Distributors Has Filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Diamond Comic Distributors Files Voluntary Petition for Relief Under Chapter 11

Company Received Commitments for $41 Million in DIP Financing

Universal Distribution Has Made A $39 Million Stalking Horse Bid for Alliance Game Distributors and Non-Binding Letter of Intent to Buy Diamond UK

HUNT VALLEY, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Diamond Comic Distributors (“Diamond” or “the Company”), announced that it has filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland to facilitate the restructuring of its business. As part of the restructuring process, Diamond has received a $39 million stalking horse bid from an affiliate of Universal Distribution (“Universal”) for Alliance Game Distributors.

“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”

The Company has received commitments for up to $41 million in debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing from JP Morgan Chase that will be used to fund post-petition operating expenses and ensure adequate working capital to meet its obligations to associates and suppliers.

In addition to securing DIP financing, and a stalking horse bid for Alliance Game Distributors, Diamond has received strong interest in its specialized business divisions, having also entered into a Non-Binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with Universal to acquire Diamond UK. Diamond is actively pursuing offers for, and has received interest from potential purchasers for, its other business units, including Diamond Book Distributors, Collectible Grading Authority, and Diamond Select Toys, as well as its 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 President Chuck Parker.

“Universal Distribution is looking forward to working with the Alliance and Diamond UK teams to bring a stronger balance sheet and growth opportunities to retailers and suppliers. Both companies have deep roots in the industry, and we look forward to continuing that into the future,” said Angelo Exarhakos, President and CEO of Universal.

About Diamond Comic Distributors:

Founded in 1982, Diamond Comic Distributors offers a multi-channel platform of publishing, marketing and fulfillment services, coupled with an unparalleled global distribution network for its retailers, publishers and vendors. Diamond’s mission is simple: to provide our customers the best in products, price and personalized service. Learn more at https://www.diamondcomics.com/.

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#IReadsYou Review: GEEK-GIRL #14

GEEK-GIRL #14

MARKOSIA ENTERPRISES, LTD.

STORY: Sam Johnson

ART: Carlos Granda

COLORS: Chunlin Zhao

LETTERS: Paul McLaren

COVERS: Carlos Granda with Chunlin Zhao; L.C. Freitas and Flinn Douglas with Chunlin Zhao

24pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2024)

Rated T+

Geek-Girl created by Sam Johnson

“Identity Crisis” Part 4: “Lightning Stormed”

Created by Sam Johnson, Geek-Girl is a comic book character that debuted in the 2016 Geek-Girl miniseries,  She returned in a second miniseries, 2018's Geek-Girl Vol. 2, which subsequently became an ongoing series.  Geek-Girl Vol. 2 is written by Sam Johnson; drawn by Carlos Granda; colored by Chunlin Zhao; and lettered by Paul McLaren.

Geek-Girl focuses on Ruby Kaye of Acorn Ridge, Maine, a sexy and popular college coed who inadvertently becomes a superhero.  Ruby dons a pair of super-tech eye glasses that give her super-powers.  Ruby's BFF, Summer James, then talks her into trying to be a superhero, even providing her with a moniker.  Now, Ruby is Maine's newest superhero, “Geek-Girl,” but the female super-villain, Identity Thief, has stolen her powers.

Geek-Girl #14 (“Lightning Stormed”) finds “Identity Thief,” the villain who stole Geek-Girl's powers, living an imposter's life as Ruby.  She is also living the high-life, partying with Karin Carpenter, Teyla, Alex, and Jools.  What Identity Thief doesn't know is that Ruby is lurking, ready to strike back in order to retrieve her powers.

Meanwhile, Ruby's BFF, Summer, is out to get her own super-powers.  That brings her to the strange and weird “Mr. Phenomenal,” but getting those powers means that Summer has to sign a contract.  Does she understand all it will cost her to become a superhero?

Meanwhile, the League of Larcenists find themselves at the mercy of the denizens of the incarceration/rehabilitation center, “The Diner.”  Can Chromex/Delfi Matrix answer Xie's questions that way she is supposed to answer them?

THE LOWDOWN:  Geek-Girl creator-writer Sam Johnson regularly sends me PDF review copies of the latest issues of Geek-Girl, and has been doing so for several years.  I enjoy reading about Geek-Girl and her (mis)adventures.  I like this comic book enough to keep encouraging you to give this series a try, dear readers.

Geek-Girl #14 is deep into the “Identity Thief” story line that began in Geek-Girl #11.  Writer Sam Johnson has completely sold this story line of the crisis of Ruby Kaye to his readers.  Johnson makes you feel that Ruby is indeed in crisis and that she has been violated in the most horrible and intimate of ways.  I'm constantly on edge, irritated, and anxious about Ruby's situation, even when I am reading about other characters' subplots.  Johnson has created a perfect interplay of tension and conflict in this arc, not only with Ruby, but also with some of the other characters as well – for instance, Summer and her quest for super-powers.

Artist Carlos Granda is quite good at capturing facial expressions and the quirkiness and oddness in the way people act in the context of emotions and speech.  That really serves him well in Geek-Girl #14, which is heavy on conversation, personality, and interpersonal relationships.  Granda's excellent storytelling here shows all the more under Chunlin Zhao's excellent colors and Paul McLaren's consistent lettering.

As usual, I enjoyed Geek-Girl #14, and I continue to recommend it to you, dear readers.  Geek-Girl captures the charm and magic of classic comic books and adds a clever modern touch.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of lovable superheroes will find an all-around winner in Geek-Girl.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can get more information about Geek-Girl #14 and purchase it here or at https://samjohnsoncomics.wixsite.com/geekgirlcomics.

You can also buy Geek-Girl #14 and its various editions at eBayUK or at https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305939069480?itmmeta=01JDTDHCEHHA4NF8H6XVNX231A&hash=item473b63ba28:g:1osAAOSwXuhnSGU~

https://twitter.com/daSamJohnson

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https://markosia.com/

The text is copyright © 2024 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for January 15, 2025

BOOM! STUDIOS

SEP240099 BRIAR TP VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

NOV240109 FLAVOR GIRLS RETURN TO THE MOTHERSHIP #2 (OF 3) CVR A LOCATE $7.99

NOV240110 FLAVOR GIRLS RETURN TO THE MOTHERSHIP #2 (OF 3) CVR B GONZAL $7.99

NOV240044 MINOR ARCANA #5 CVR A LEMIRE $4.99

NOV240045 MINOR ARCANA #5 CVR B MARTIN $4.99

NOV240046 MINOR ARCANA #5 CVR C ANNIVERSARY VAR LEE $4.99

NOV240050 MINOR ARCANA #5 CVR G FOC REVEAL VAR $4.99

OCT248262 WYND THE POWER OF THE BLOOD #1 (OF 8) 2ND PTG DIALYNAS $5.99

OCT240071 WYND THE POWER OF THE BLOOD #2 (OF 8) CVR A DIALYNAS $5.99

OCT240072 WYND THE POWER OF THE BLOOD #2 (OF 8) CVR B BEEM $5.99

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DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for January 15, 2025

DC COMICS:

Action Comics #1082 (Cover A Gleb Melnikov), $4.99

Action Comics #1082 (Cover B Ken Lashley Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Action Comics #1082 (Cover C Kenneth Rocafort Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Action Comics #1082 (Cover D Tom Grummett Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman #609 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover A Jim Lee), $3.99

Batman #609 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover B Jim Lee Foil Variant), $6.99

Batman And Robin Year One #4 (Of 12)(Cover A Chris Samnee), $3.99

Batman And Robin Year One #4 (Of 12)(Cover B Khary Randolph Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Batman And Robin Year One #4 (Of 12)(Cover C Riley Rossmo Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Batman And Robin Year One #4 (Of 12)(Cover D Gavin Guidry Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman Superman World's Finest #35 (Cover A Dan Mora), $3.99

Batman Superman World's Finest #35 (Cover B Frank Cho Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Batman Superman World's Finest #35 (Cover C Chris Samnee Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Batman Superman World's Finest #35 (Cover D Kris Anka Sweater Weather Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Batman Superman World's Finest #35 (Cover E Ethan Young Card Stock Variant), AR

Black Lightning #3 (Cover A Fico Ossio), $3.99

Black Lightning #3 (Cover B Joshua Sway Swaby Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Blue Beetle (2023) Volume 2 TP, $19.99

Catwoman #72 (Cover A Sebastian Fiumara), $3.99

Catwoman #72 (Cover B Frank Cho Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Catwoman #72 (Cover C Ejikure Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Catwoman #72 (Cover D Nathan Szerdy Sweater Weather Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Catwoman #72 (Cover E W. Scott Forbes Card Stock Variant), AR

Catwoman #72 (Cover F Frank Cho Card Stock Variant), AR

Challengers Of The Unknown #2 (Of 6)(Cover A Sean Izaakse), $3.99

Challengers Of The Unknown #2 (Of 6)(Cover B Travis Mercer Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Crisis On Infinite Earths #10 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover A George Perez), $3.99

Crisis On Infinite Earths #10 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover B George Perez Foil Variant), $5.99

Crisis On Infinite Earths #10 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover C Blank Variant), $4.99

DC Finest Supergirl The Girl Of Steel TP, $39.99

Green Lantern Fractured Spectrum #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Fernando Blanco), $3.99

Green Lantern Fractured Spectrum #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Stephen Segovia Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Green Lantern Fractured Spectrum #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Fernando Blanco Foil Variant), $6.99

Jenny Sparks #6 (Of 7)(Cover A Jeff Spokes), $4.99

Jenny Sparks #6 (Of 7)(Cover B Lesley Leirix Li Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Kneel Before Zod TP, $19.99

Milestone Universe The Shadow Cabinet #3 (Of 4)(Cover A Denys Cowan), $4.99

Milestone Universe The Shadow Cabinet #3 (Of 4)(Cover B Nikolas Draper-Ivey Card Stock Variant), $5.99

New Gods #2 (Of 12)(Cover A Nimit Malavia), $3.99

New Gods #2 (Of 12)(Cover B Christian Ward Card Stock Variant), $4.99

New Gods #2 (Of 12)(Cover C Evan Cagle Birth Of A New God Acetate Variant), $9.99

New Gods #2 (Of 12)(Cover D Walter Simonson Card Stock Variant), AR

New Gods #2 (Of 12)(Cover E Mike Perkins Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Nice House By The Sea #5 (Of 12)(Cover A Alvaro Martinez Bueno), $3.99

Nice House By The Sea #5 (Of 12)(Cover B Ian Bertram Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Nightwing #122 (Cover A Dexter Soy), $4.99

Nightwing #122 (Cover B Dan Panosian Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Nightwing #122 (Cover C Babs Tarr Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Nightwing #122 (Cover D Yasmine Putri Sweater Weather Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Nightwing #122 (Cover E Gleb Melnikov Card Stock Variant), AR

Question All Along The Watchtower #3 (Of 6)(Cover A Cian Tormey), $3.99

Question All Along The Watchtower #3 (Of 6)(Cover B Jorge Fornes Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Question All Along The Watchtower #3 (Of 6)(Cover C Lucio Parrillo Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Swamp Thing By Mark Millar And Phil Hester Omnibus HC, $125.00

Titans #19 (Cover A Pete Woods), $3.99

Titans #19 (Cover B Karl Kerschl Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Titans #19 (Cover C David Baldeon Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Wonder Woman #17 (Cover A Daniel Sampere), $4.99

Wonder Woman #17 (Cover B David Nakayama Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Wonder Woman #17 (Cover C Mike Del Mundo Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Wonder Woman #17 (Cover D Frank Cho Sweater Weather Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Wonder Woman #17 (Cover E Simone Di Meo Card Stock Variant), AR

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Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for January 15, 2025

DYNAMITE

NOV240266 SPACE GHOST #9 CVR A MATTINA (C: 1-0-0) $4.99

NOV240267 SPACE GHOST #9 CVR B LEE & CHUNG (C: 1-0-0) $4.99

NOV240268 SPACE GHOST #9 CVR C BARENDS (C: 1-0-0) $4.99

NOV240269 SPACE GHOST #9 CVR D MARQUES (C: 1-0-0) $4.99

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Image Comics from Diamond and Lunar Distributors for January 15, 2025

IMAGE COMICS

DIAMOND DISTRIBUTORS:

OCT240432 GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO TP VOL 02 CVR A KUBERT $14.99

OCT240433 GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO TP VOL 02 CVR B DIRECT MARKET ED $14.99

NOV240414 INVINCIBLE TP VOL 07 (NEW EDITION) $14.99

NOV240419 SPAWN SAM AND TWITCH ORIGINS HC BOOK 02 $29.99

NOV240421 WITCHBLADE (2024) TP VOL 01 $9.99

LUNAR DISTRIBUTORS:

Doll Parts A Lovesick Tale #2 (Of 4)(Cover A Luana Vecchio), $3.99

Doll Parts A Lovesick Tale #2 (Of 4)(Cover B Luana Vecchio Pigs Variant), $3.99

Doll Parts A Lovesick Tale #2 (Of 4)(Cover C Luana Vecchio Connecting Variant), $3.99

Doll Parts A Lovesick Tale #2 (Of 4)(Cover D Jessica Cioffio), $3.99

Doll Parts A Lovesick Tale #2 (Of 4)(Cover E Luana Vecchio Virgin Variant), AR

Falling In Love On The Path To Hell Volume 1 TP (per Diamond Distribution), $9.99

Feral #9 (Cover A Trish Forstner & Tone Rodriguez), $3.99

Feral #9 (Cover B Tony Fleecs & Trish Forstner Homage Variant), $3.99

Feral #9 (Cover C Trish Forstner & Tone Rodriguez Virgin Variant), AR

Feral #9 (Cover D Adriana Melo), AR

Finders Keepers #1 (One Shot)(The Horizon Experiment)(Cover A Skylar Patridge), $3.99

Finders Keepers #1 (One Shot)(The Horizon Experiment)(Cover B Tula Lotay Connecting Variant), $3.99

Finders Keepers #1 (One Shot)(The Horizon Experiment)(Cover C Tula Lotay Connecting Foil Variant), AR

Finders Keepers #1 (One Shot)(The Horizon Experiment)(Cover D Blank Variant), $3.99

G.I. Joe #3 (Cover A Tom Reilly), $3.99

G.I. Joe #3 (Cover B David Finch & Adriano Lucas), $3.99

G.I. Joe #3 (Cover C Pablo Villalobos), $3.99

G.I. Joe #3 (Cover D David Nakayama Connecting Variant), AR

G.I. Joe #3 (Cover E Travis Moore & Andriano Lucas), AR

G.I. Joe #3 (Cover F Patricia Martin Foil Variant), AR

G.I. Joe A Real American Hero Volume 2 TP (Andy Kubert & Brad Anderson Book Market Cover), $14.99

G.I. Joe A Real American Hero Volume 2 TP (Danny Earls & Jao Canola Direct Market Cover), $14.99

Gunslinger Spawn #39 (Cover A Javi Fernandez), $2.99

Gunslinger Spawn #39 (Cover B Don Aguillo), $2.99

Hornsby And Halo #1 (Cover E Peter Snejbjerg Original Art Convention Sketch Cover Variant)(per Diamond Distribution), AR

I Hate Fairyland #19 (Cover A Brett Bean), $3.99

I Hate Fairyland #19 (Cover B Brett Bean F*Ck Uncensored Fairyland Variant), $3.99

I Hate Fairyland #19 (Cover C Skottie Young), AR

I Hate Fairyland #19 (Cover D Skottie Young Black & White Virgin Variant), AR

Invincible Volume 7 TP (New Edition)(per Diamond Distribution), $14.99

Lucky Devils #1 (Of 9)(Cover D Ryan Browne Glitter Variant), AR

Lucky Devils #1 (Of 9)(Cover F Ryan Browne & Charles Soule Signed Drawn On Variant), AR

Moon Is Following Us #5 (Of 10)(Cover A Riley Rossmo), $3.99

Moon Is Following Us #5 (Of 10)(Cover B Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer), $3.99

Nights #12 (Cover A Luigi Formisano), $4.99

Rocketfellers #1 (Cover E Francis Manapul Original Art Convention Sketch Variant), AR

Sam And Twitch Origins Volume 2 HC, $29.99

Scorched #37 (Cover A Bjorn Barends), $2.99

Scorched #37 (Cover B Daniel Henriques), $2.99

Standstill #6 (Of 8)(Cover A Andrew Robinson Wraparound Variant), $4.99

Standstill #6 (Of 8)(Cover B Alex Riegel, AR

Walking Dead Deluxe #105 (Cover A David Finch & Dave McCaig), $3.99

Walking Dead Deluxe #105 (Cover B Charlie Adlard & Dave McCaig), $3.99

Walking Dead Deluxe #105 (Cover C Nate Bellegarde & Olli Hihnala Connecting Variant), $3.99

Witchblade #7 (2024)(Cover A Marc Silvestri & Arif Prianto), $3.99

Witchblade #7 (2024)(Cover B Giuseppe Cafaro & Arif Prianto), $3.99

Witchblade #7 (2024)(Cover C Marc Silvestri Homage Variant), AR

Witchblade #7 (2024)(Cover D Brett Booth & Sal Regla), AR

Witchblade Volume 1 TP, $9.99

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