Company Overview - Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. is the world's largest distributor of English-language comics, graphic novels, and related pop-culture merchandise to specialty retailers [5] - Founded in 1982 by Steve Geppi in Baltimore, Maryland, the company grew from a single warehouse serving 17 retailers to a major industry player [5] - Diamond operates as a wholesale distributor, buying from publishers and selling to retailers such as comic shops and hobby stores [5] - The company focuses on the direct market, a specialty retail system distinct from newsstand or bookstore distribution, and supports thousands of retail accounts [5] - Diamond produces the PREVIEWS catalog, a monthly ordering guide for retailers to order new comics, graphic novels, toys, games, and collectibles [5] - In addition to comics and graphic novels, Diamond distributes toys, games, collectibles, and other related merchandise to retail partners [5] - Although based in the U.S., Diamond's network extends internationally, serving a wide range of retailers and vendors [5] - For decades, Diamond has been the central distributor for most major publishers, significantly shaping comic availability in shops [5] Bankruptcy Situation - The management team at Diamond Comics has lost the faith of the court and its key lender, leading to a transition from Chapter 11 bankruptcy to Chapter 7 bankruptcy [4] - Under Chapter 11, current management typically continues to operate the company as the debtor in possession, but failure to perform fiduciary duties can result in the appointment of a Chapter 11 trustee by the bankruptcy court [2][3]