The comic book industry might stink in the coming year, and we’re not talking about the new fart-scented Harley Quinn comic book that was recently announced. We’re not even talking about the quality of the comic books themselves.
Rather, we’re talking about another brutal economic reality of making comics in 2025 — what happens if almost all your eggs have been put into one basket, and the handle of that basket suddenly breaks?
The industry might be heading into one of its most precarious years yet, and a significant part of that uncertainty can be traced back to Diamond Comic Distributors. Once the undisputed king of comic book distribution, Diamond has been facing mounting issues, from shipping delays to losing major publishers, and now, the cracks are becoming harder to ignore.
Diamond’s Current Woes
Recently, Diamond has been plagued by late shipments and logistical headaches, frustrating both comic shops and fans alike. According to reports from Comics Beat, numerous retailers have complained about delayed deliveries, forcing some shops to miss key release dates. These delays have a ripple effect, leading to dissatisfied customers and strained relationships between retailers and publishers. Diamond has cited warehouse and staffing issues as contributing factors, but for many in the industry, these excuses are starting to wear thin.
Adding fuel to the fire, ICv2 recently detailed how logistical snafus during the holiday season made an already challenging period even harder for comic retailers. Reports of misplaced shipments and inconsistent delivery schedules left many stores unable to stock highly anticipated releases in time for the holiday rush. For smaller shops relying on holiday sales to stay afloat, these delays were a devastating blow.
And according to Bleeding Cool, these issues are not isolated incidents. Retailers continue to voice their frustrations over repeated delays and poor communication from Diamond, which has left them scrambling to manage customer expectations. Some shop owners have even resorted to driving to Diamond warehouses to pick up their orders personally, a desperate move that underscores the severity of the situation.
Industry Perspectives on the Crisis
David Campiti, founder of Glass House Graphics, recently weighed in on the dire state of the Direct Sales market in 2025. In a Facebook post, Campiti highlighted how major corporations like Disney, Warner Bros., and Simon & Schuster have profited immensely from comic book characters while showing little interest in investing in the comic book market itself.
“Disney has ZERO interest in comic books; they only want the characters,” Campiti stated, pointing out how Disney acquired Marvel for $4 billion and Warner Bros. continues to rake in billions off DC films and TV properties. Yet, none of these entertainment giants have taken steps to build a new, robust comic distribution system. Campiti noted that the current Direct Market was created by “fans-turned-businesspeople” to save the industry from corruption in the newsstand distribution system. However, no one has stepped up to create the next big distribution model, leaving the industry increasingly vulnerable.
Echoing this sentiment, comics journalist and editor Chris Arrant shared on LinkedIn, “Major things are going on in the background of print comics distribution right now. There’s some downsizing, consolidation, streamlining, and a precarious financial maneuver by an industry giant.” Arrant likened the current climate to the seismic shifts in distribution seen in 2020, warning that the ramifications this time could be even greater. Together, their insights paint a grim picture of an industry grappling with systemic issues and a lack of forward-thinking solutions.
A Rocky History Since 2020
Diamond’s troubles are not new. Back in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Diamond temporarily halted operations, leaving comic shops scrambling to find alternative ways to get products. This period exposed just how fragile the comic distribution ecosystem had become, as Diamond’s near-monopoly left shops with few options. When Marvel and DC Comics subsequently pulled their business from Diamond—opting for alternative distributors like Lunar Distribution and Penguin Random House—it was a devastating blow.
The fallout was immediate. Diamond’s market share dropped significantly, and smaller publishers were left wondering if they could rely on the company to handle their books effectively. While Diamond attempted to bounce back, these latest delays suggest that their infrastructure might still be struggling to adapt to a rapidly evolving market.
The State of the Western Comic Industry
Adding to the concerns is the broader decline of the Western comic book market. While manga sales have skyrocketed in the U.S. and globally, traditional American comic book sales have been stagnant or even declining. Many retailers report that the “Big Two” (Marvel and DC) struggle to maintain consistent readerships, with lackluster storylines and frequent reboots alienating long-time fans. Meanwhile, independent comics and smaller publishers have gained ground but lack the resources to fill the void left by declining mainstream sales.
The closures of comic book shops over the past few years further exacerbate the issue. Between 2020 and 2023, hundreds of comic stores across North America shuttered their doors, unable to weather the combination of pandemic pressures, rising costs, and shrinking customer bases. Without a robust retail network, even the best comics risk going unread, languishing on shelves or warehouses.
What Happens If Diamond Fails?
The prospect of Diamond going out of business is a nightmare scenario for many retailers. Despite its shortcomings, Diamond remains a key pillar of the industry, especially for smaller publishers who lack the distribution infrastructure of larger players like Marvel and DC. If Diamond collapses, these smaller publishers would have to scramble to find alternative distribution channels, which could result in higher costs and logistical chaos.
For comic retailers, the impact could be catastrophic. Many shops rely on Diamond’s centralized system to stock their shelves efficiently. Losing that system could mean navigating multiple distributors, each with their own terms, shipping schedules, and quirks. The added complexity and potential for increased costs might push some stores to the brink of closure.
The Clock is Ticking
As someone who’s been following the comic book industry for years, it’s clear that the writing’s on the wall: the traditional Western comic book model needs a serious overhaul. Diamond’s struggles are symptomatic of larger issues plaguing the industry—from outdated distribution models to a failure to adapt to changing consumer habits.
Retailers and publishers need to start planning for a post-Diamond future now, not later. The rise of crowdfunding platforms, digital comics, and manga has shown that readers are still hungry for great stories—they’re just finding them elsewhere. If the Western comic industry wants to survive, it needs to evolve, diversify its offerings, and invest in modern distribution methods. Otherwise, 2025 might just be the year the industry’s cracks become impossible to patch.
Sources:
- Comics Beat: Diamond Comics Is Having a Very Bad Few Weeks
- ICv2: Logistics Snafus Made Holidays Challenging for Comic Stores
- Bleeding Cool: More Diamond Comics Distributor Delays and Comic Store Distress
- David Campiti’s Facebook Post
- Chris Arrant’s LinkedIn Post
- Historical Data on Diamond’s Market Share and Operations
- Manga Sales and Western Comic Declines (ICv2, Publisher’s Weekly)
ClownfishTV.com strives to be an apolitical, balanced and based pop culture news outlet. However, our contributors are entitled to their individual opinions. Author opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of our video hosts, other site contributors, site editors, affiliates, sponsors or advertisers. This website contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. We disclaim products or services we have received for review purposes, as well as sponsored posts.
