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Abrams ComicArts Distributes Books With Lunar Distribution
posted on by Rafael Antonio Pineda
Abrams ComicArts launched a new manga-focused imprint for the United States market named Kana in April 2024. The imprint publishes both Japanese manga and French comics, and the imprint's initial list of licensed titles includes three manga and three French comics. All three of Kana's manga licenses have French editions by Éditions Ki-oon, and include: Shiro Kuroi's Léviathan (serialized in Shonen Jump+), Yumeji's Eden of Witches (serialized in Kadokawa's Harta), and Tetsuya Tsutsui's Manhole (serialized in Square Enix's Young Gangan). Kana aims to publish 40-60 paperback titles every year. Hachette is the imprint's primary distributor.
Kana has since announced licenses for Tsukasa Hōjō's City Hunter and Cat's Eye manga, and Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki's Billy Bat manga.
Abrams Books founded the Abrams ComicArts imprint in 2009. The imprint focuses on graphic novels and books about comic book history. The imprint became a full division of Abrams Books in April 2023. Employees at Abrams Books and Abrams ComicArts voted to unionize in May earlier this year.
Diamond's Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Claim
Diamond is one of the primary distributors of print comics in the United States, particularly to the "direct market" of comic specialty stores. Diamond Select Toys produces toys based on several brands including Godzilla, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and Transformers.
Diamond announced on January 14 that it had filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court in the District of Maryland. Companies who file under Chapter 11 are able to maintain business assets, which may or may not include licenses, in order to attempt to reorganize. The business can continue operating as it reorganizes its debts under court-supervision and potentially resume operation as a healthy business. This is opposed to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, in which a business shutters its doors and ends operations. A trustee had requested on April 28 that Diamond move from Chapter 11 to Chapter 7 because it had not filled out necessary monthly reports, but Diamond eventually agreed to fill out the reports. Diamond cited that the decreased consumer activity, rising operating costs, and declining sales in the comic book industry post-COVID-19 led to its decision.
Canadian comics distributor Universal Distribution and pop culture manufacturer and licensor Ad Populum acquired Diamond's assets in a joint acquisition on May 16. Universal acquired the assets of Alliance Game Distributors, while Ad Populum acquired the assets of Diamond Comic Distributors, Diamond Book Distributors, Diamond Select Toys & Collectibles, Collectible Grading Authority, and other assets.
Several comics and manga publishers such as Udon Entertainment and Titan Comics have also recently signed distribution agreements with Lunar Distribution.
Source: Email correspondence
