Thursday, April 9, 2009

The new triumverate


Diamond Comics released their March numbers today, and for the first time ever, we've hit number THREE. Which is a nice way to celebrate IDW's 10th anniversary this week.

This is especially noteworthy news to us since we don't receive front-of-Previews placement like Marvel, DC, Image or Dark Horse. And since we're not a "premiere" publisher, it costs retailers more to order our books than it does those four. So to attain this with the deck stacked against us is even more of a great feeling.

23 comments:

Charlie Kirchoff said...

Holy crap!!! That's awesome.

Anonymous said...

So very very cool indeed!!! Congratulations...next stop...#2!

-Ron

Anonymous said...

Congrats, guys! You really deserve it! I am very, very fond of IDW, and the love and care they put into their books (I'm speaking in particular about the After the Fall hardcovers, which are gorgeously packaged). Keep up the great work!

PS I'm looking to get Lock & Key, since I've heard such great things about it. I just have to do some research to make sure I get it in the correct order and such; wouldn't want to start in the middle.

Anonymous said...

Just out of curiosity, what does it take to become a "premier publisher" in the eyes of Diamond? Do you have to place #3 or 4 consecutively for a pre-determined number of months or something?

-Ron

Anonymous said...

Enjoy the Dodger's/Padres game...but I'll just say GO O's!! If they can knock the Yanks to an 0-3 start that'll be sweet.

-Ron

Chris Ryall said...

"PS I'm looking to get Lock & Key, since I've heard such great things about it. I just have to do some research to make sure I get it in the correct order and such; wouldn't want to start in the middle."

If you start with the book that was just Eisner-nominated, LOCKE & KEY: WELCOME TO LOVECRAFT, that's the beginning of the story. The current series, HEAD GAMES, is the follow-up to that one. LOVECRAFT is available as six issues or as one hardcover volume (the softcover is coming in August, too).

Chris Ryall said...

"Just out of curiosity, what does it take to become a "premier publisher" in the eyes of Diamond? Do you have to place #3 or 4 consecutively for a pre-determined number of months or something?"

It's the sort of thing where they were grandfathered in as that, so it's hard to get that to change. But we're working on it every month...

Mike Hawthorne said...

This is so huge, man! I don't think people outside of the business even know how big a thing this is.

Wow, congrats!

Mike

El Torres said...

Smells like change. Congratulations, you're doing a great job. Not only with the books, which is the most important thing, but with the creators too. You treat them so good.
Now, to keep working in the same direction! Going for #2!

GR said...

Fair reward for the passion, respect and care you put on your books, creators and readers.
Best,
G-

Anonymous said...

Really, if you take superheroes out of the equation, you're number 1!!

Anonymous said...

"If you start with the book that was just Eisner-nominated, LOCKE & KEY: WELCOME TO LOVECRAFT, that's the beginning of the story. The current series, HEAD GAMES, is the follow-up to that one. LOVECRAFT is available as six issues or as one hardcover volume (the softcover is coming in August, too)."

I will definitely be ordering that this week! I may hop on over to Empire Comics (nothing like buying comics next to the Empire State Building!) and get that one tomorrow. Thanks for the info, Chris; this is yet another reason why the IDW guys rock. I've never seen another company so willing to engage its fanbase (that includes you, Mooney, Lynch, etc). Best wishes to all of you!

DanielW said...

HUZZAH!

Oracle1984 said...

That is fabulous. Congrats!

Anonymous said...

WOO-HOOOO!!!

Tony Solomun said...

well done mate,
that is terrific to hear,
3 is such a good number,
and to be third only yo Marvel and DC is a fine achievement,

Happy Easter mate,

all the best,

ANDY KUHN said...

that's amazing.
congrats, chris! :)

PatShand said...

Obviously very well deserved. Huge congratulations.

Anonymous said...

Hmmm...I guess "It Does Work!!" ;) Sorry, couldn't resist. :)

-Ron

James M. Biggie said...

Here's hoping you'll graduate the Biumverate, and then onto Umverate!*

-James

*please note I like to make up words on occasion.

Hans said...

First of all: congrats! I noticed you grabbed no. 3 when I read Newsarama this morning :)

As for what it would take to get a "Premier Publisher" in the front of Previews... I remember there was some discussion about that with a publisher called Crossgen a few years ago, just before they closed down shop. Their publisher had info from Diamond (Previews' publisher) that all they had to do was retain a 5% dollar share and unit share for a certain number of months, if I remember correctly. IDW has currently surpassed that, so I'd say your chances are good if you guys keep this up. IF memory serves that is.

I do like Dark Horse as well, I have to admit. Their Star Wars: Legacy and Conan titles are good, and Rex Mundi is superb. But IDW is rocking the Kasbah right now, so it's all well deserved. And DC deserves the punishment they're getting right now as well, in my opinion.

Chris Ryall said...

"Hmmm...I guess "It Does Work!!" ;) Sorry, couldn't resist. :)"

Hah--not everyone will get this reference but I do, and it made me laugh. Along those same lines, there's now peace between us and the guy who once said a variation on that phrase, too, so that's good.

Anonymous said...

great news Chris! The hardwork, determination and sacrifice you guys make to a love of comics is awesome - and a blessing to be #3!!!
Have always believed it's possible - great to see it happening.

Also, cool to hear about that little relationship change now too!
IDW rocks!!!
--Bassbot