Press ReleaseDiamond Comic Distributors and Astonish Comics have reached an agreement naming Diamond as the exclusive distributor of the publisher's products to all retailers and wholesalers in every channel of sales and distribution into the bookstore and library markets. The exclusive nature of this agreement excludes the direct and newsstand outlets.

Astonish Comics is a southern California-based publisher of comics, graphic novels, and comics-related merchandise. Focusing on stories that communicate nostalgia, warmth, and humor, Astonish is home to Mike Kunkel's Eisner Award-nominated Herobear and the Kid and Jason Lethcoe's critically acclaimed Zoom's Academy for the Super Gifted, two series that have been heralded as animation in print form.

"Thanks to their experience as Hollywood animators, Kunkel and Lethcoe have pioneered the 'animation method' of four-color storytelling, and the comics community has certainly taken notice," said Diamond Vice President of Purchasing Bill Schanes. "We feel this unique approach to comics craftsmanship will serve the creators and their publisher well as they are introduced to the wider bookstore audience."

"I am extremely excited to have Diamond as our representative and distributor to the book and library markets," said Mike Kunkel, creator of Herobear and the Kid and owner of Astonish Comics. "We looked at a number of possibilities and it came down to Diamond having the best resources and team in place to accomplish my goals for Herobear and our other products. We're looking forward to working with Diamond for a long time to come."

Diamond's Sales Team will begin working with retailers and wholesalers to place Astonish's products in stores across the country. "Titles like Herobear and the Kid and Zoom's Academy for the Super Gifted represent the next generation of all-ages comics entertainment," Schanes added, "and we look forward to helping Astonish secure top placement for its products in the bookstore and library markets."