Small presses are working together to develop routes to direct market distribution as well as offer affordable publishing services in the post-Diamond world: The small publisher Critical Entertainment is heading up a new industry group, the Indie Comic Alliance, while Massive will begin offering discounted printing to its Massive Indies clients and other small publishers.
Critical Entertainment is spearheading a new group, the Indie Comic Alliance, which will offer distribution to the direct market via Universal and Philbo, as well as reasonably priced printing, shipping, and storage. Most books distributed via the alliance will be released on the third Wednesday of the month, which will be dubbed Indie Comic Book Day; solicitation will begin in October, and the first releases will arrive in stores on January 20, 2027.
The alliance is headed by Christopher Reda, Publisher and CEO of Critical Entertainment, and Thomas Cho of STS & Associates, and members include Critical Entertainment, DSTLRY, Red 5 Comics, Wise Acre Comics, Outland Entertainment, BentBox Comics, Forbidden Futures, Patriot Comic Books, Diabolik, 2510 Press, World at War Comics, Monkeygong, Bear Treasure Studios, K-Toon Studios, Phantom Blade Productions, and Narwhal Press. DSTLRY is a member for printing only.
Massive Indies, which was launched in the wake of the Diamond bankruptcy (see “Massive Indies”), is a sub-distribution program for small-press and self-published comics that offers access to the direct market via Lunar Distribution. Massive Indies clients now include Heavy Metal, Warrant Publishing Company, AMP Comics, Antarctic Press, Devil’s Due Studios, Red 5, Midnight Factory, Invader Comics, and two recent additions, Insight Editions and the Hero Initiative.
Massive is now expanding that program by offering discounted printing services that will include standard offset and digital printing and specialty treatments such as foil, embossing, and spot varnish. The discount will initially be offered only to Massive Indies clients but is expected to be extended to the general public by the end of 2026.
“Our goal has always been to remove barriers for independent publishers,” Michael Calero, CEO of Massive Publishing, said in a statement accompanying the announcement. “As the comic market continues to evolve, indie publishers need trusted partners that can help them navigate every stage of the production and distribution process. Adding premium printing services to the Massive Indies program gives our partners access to the same level of quality we’ve become known for while helping them keep production costs competitive.”
Source: ICV2
