In April, DC informed retailers that Lunar Distribution (Discount Comic Book Service) and UCS Comic Distributors (Midtown Comics) would be distributing its new print titles following severing ties with Diamond Comic Distributors. Now, DC has made the decision to distribute solely through Lunar.

According to an email sent from DC to direct market retailers, the shift will go into full effect Jan. 1, 2021. Furthermore, the publisher has set a weekly order minimum of $125 (or $500/month) based on cover prices. In a separate email, UCS confirmed it's not closing and that it "will be offering other exciting items that stores can use!"

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Both emails appear in their entirety below:

Email from DC:

To Direct Market Partners:

We hope that you, your family, and your employees have been able to stay safe and healthy during this unprecedented time. As we promised in our communication earlier this year, we want to provide you with the latest changes in our business.

In April, UCS Comic Distributors and Lunar Distribution partnered with DC to transition to a multi-distributor model for the Direct Market, at a time when comic book distribution was on pause and the supply chain disrupted as a result of the safer-at-home orders that were put in place. We are now in our next phase where, as of January 1, 2021, DC publications will continue to be distributed in the Direct Market by Lunar Distribution, Diamond UK, and Penguin Random House (for graphic novels and collected editions only). UCS Comic Distributors will no longer distribute DC publications, but retailers can continue to order from UCS through the end of November.

We want to take this time to sincerely thank UCS for their help during this transition, and we will continue to provide all our support to UCS as retailers shift their accounts over to Lunar or other distributors.

Please Note: the last date to place FOC orders and reorders through UCS will be November 29, 2020. Any publication eligible for returnability must be returned to the distributor from which it was received by their returnability end dates; returns received after that end date cannot be accepted.

Additionally, DC is requiring that orders placed through Lunar Distribution total a minimum of $125 (USD) per weekly order based on retail sales value (cover price), or total $500 monthly. Orders that do not meet this amount will be held until further orders are added and the minimum is met, at which time the combined orders will be shipped. The minimum order requirement goes into effect with the December 6, 2020 FOC date. In order to help transition all accounts smoothly, information is below about how to sign up with Lunar Distribution. 

As always, DC remains committed to comics shops as the cornerstone of our industry. This community is the source of countless stories and relationships that inspire us and our fans every day. We thank you for your support, and we will continue to provide business updates as they happen.

Sincerely,

The DC Team

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Email from UCS:

UCS will no longer be distributing DC Comics as of January 1st, 2021.

In April, UCS Comic Distributors partnered with DC at a time when comic book distribution was on pause and the supply chain disrupted as a result of the safer-at-home orders that were put in place. We are very proud of the role we played in transitioning DC during this unprecedented time.

The transition is now complete, and UCS is passing the baton to Lunar Distribution, who will handle all of DC Comics' retail accounts as of January 1st. Our relationship with DC Comics will continue on all other fronts.

UCS will be transferring records of all unfilled FOC orders for items shipping January 2021 and beyond to Lunar to allow for a smooth transition for all accounts. Lunar will contact accounts over the next several weeks to confirm and finalize their information. Also please note, UCS will not be soliciting books as part of the November 2020 DC Connect catalogue.

Keep in mind: UCS is not closing. We will be offering other exciting items that stores can use!

12/29/20 is last street date that we will deliver.

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