Diamond Book Distributors

Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc.

Type	Private
Industry	comics
Founded	1982; 35 years ago (1982)
Headquarters	Hunt Valley, Maryland, United States
Key people	Stephen A. Geppi, CEO Chuck Parker, Exec VP and COO Larry Swanson, VP Finance and CFO Roger Fletcher, VP Sales and Marketing John Wurzer, VP Operations Tim Lenaghan, VP Purchasing Chris Powell, VP Retailer Services Mike Schimmel, Sales Director Dan Manser, Marketing Director
Products	comic book distribution
Revenue	$500 million
Number of employees	540
Website	www.diamondcomics.com

Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. (often called Diamond Comics, DCD, or casually Diamond) is a comic book and pop-culture distributor serving retailers in North America and worldwide. They transport comic books and graphic novels from both big and small comic book publishers, or suppliers, to retailers, as well as other pop-culture products such as Toys, Games, and Apparel. Diamond distributes to the direct market in the United States, and has a exclusive distribution arrangements with most major U.S. comic book publishers, including Dark Horse Comics, DC Comics, IDW Publishing,Image Comics, Marvel Comics, and more.

Diamond is also the parent company of Alliance Game Distributors, Diamond Book Distributors, Diamond UK, Diamond Select Toys, Gemstone Publishing, E. Gerber Products, Diamond International Galleries, Hake's Americana & Collectibles, Morphy's Auctions, the Geppi's Entertainment Museum, and Baltimore magazine,

Diamond is the publisher of Previews, a monthly catalog/magazine showcasing upcoming comic books, graphic novels, toys, and other pop-culture merchandise available at comic book specialty shops. The publication is available to both comic shop retailers and consumers.

In 1982, Baltimore-based comics retailer Steve Geppi founded Diamond Comic Distributors. Diamond became the successor to direct market pioneer Phil Seuling's distribution dream when it took over New Media/Irjax's warehouses in 1982. Diamond further bought out early-distributor Bud Plant Inc. in 1988, and main rival Capital City Distribution in 1996, to assume a near-monopoly on comics distribution, including exclusivity deals with the major comic book publishers.