AOB 5 - Ownership and Distribution

Comic book distribution had 2 models:

1) Old model - Independent Distribution

Stage 1. Artist or writer would approach a publisher

Stage 2. Publisher would produce the comic

Stage 3. The publisher would then pass on the comics to a periodical Distributor.

Stage 4. Shops such as Toy shops, News stands and Drugstores would then sell the comics
but any unsold comics would be returned to the publisher and the shops would
then be compensated

2) New model - Direct Market

Stage 1. Artist or writer would approach a publisher

Stage 2. Publisher would produce the comic

Stage 3. Instead of comics then going to an independent distributor, the publisher distributes the comics themselfs

Stage 4. Places like headshops, book shops and comic book shops would then sell the comics directly.

This model was a gamble, comics were sold faster and for a better price but unsold comics were non-returnable and the shops could potentially lose money. However though, the unsold at release comics would then become collectors items and they were what led onto the publishing of all the comics of a storyline in an annuls which then led to graphic novels.

If all thats confusing, just look below =]

Diamond comics is the largest comics distribution company in the USA and has exclusive deals with several of the leading comic publishers such as DC Comics, Image Comics and Marvel.

Fantagraphics is a publishing house of several of the alternative comics avalible, like Ghost world and Black hole. Diamond distributions was able to strike a deal with Fantagraphics in which all of Fantagraphics back catalog is readilly avalible to reorder, the consumers get a better price and shipping fee's.

DC Comics was founded originally in 1934 as National Allied Publications and publish comics such as Adventures of superman, Aquaman, Batman, The Flash, Justice League and more.


Vertigo(DC Comics) is the DC Comics range targeted towards the late teen/adult market and was established in 1993, producing such comics as V for Vendetta, A history of violence and House of Mystery.


Fantagraphics Books is a publisher of alternative (when compared to the typical 'Pow' 'Zoom' superhero story) comics/graphic novels and was established in 1976 and they do offer a broad range of material such as classic comic strip anthologies, magazines, graphic novels, and the adult-oriented Eros Comix seried.

Marvel comics were originally called Timely Publications when the company was set up in 1939. Stan lee is commonly regarded as the godfather of superhero comics, bringing us Superman, The Incredible Hulk, The Fantastic Four, X-men, Spiderman and many of marvels comics have been adapted into films.


Drawn and Quarterly is a Canadian publisher of Graphic novels and underground/alternative comics, making this company the Canadian equivalent of Fantagraphics. Established in 1991 and making comics such as Peepshow, Fallen angel, Berlin and Underwater.

Mmmmm, Ever heard of Webcomics?

There free to read, cheap and easy to produce (with the right know how) an generally a great way to enjoy comics. Online comics are an ideal way for an amateur artist to get their work seen because anybody can make a webcomic and perhaps if there good enough, you could get them published and make a sack full of cash.

Quite simply Webcomics are fantastic, often talking about sensitive subject matter or maybe non-mainstream material, such as political satire, giving the reader a brief chuckle while toiling away in their over-crowded office's. Some people even find comics boring and if thats true about you, maybe give a webcomic a try, you can find them by simply searching something like 'Online Comics' or maybe.......'Free Web Comic' in a search engine like Google.