Alterna has made the announcement that they will no longer be using Diamond Comic Distributors in the “immediate and perhaps indefinite future.” The publisher will instead be focusing on direct distribution to stores and readers.

The publisher has been building their own network to work around the current distribution system which primarily falls on Diamond’s shoulders.

Diamond has been shut down due to the spread of COVID-19 resulting in part to a “halt” to the comic industry. They have announced they will resume shipping product in mid to late May.

Alterna in their email said the decision is due to what they “have to do what is necessary in order for our business to survive during these times.”

The publisher has been focusing on its own infrastructure and direct sales during the past two years. They also admit they sell more this way than distribution for the past 18 months. January 2020’s estimates have the publisher shipping 4,696 units over five series. November 2019 saw 7,705 units over 7 series. No comics were reported for December 2019 or February 2020. All data provided by Comichron.

In the announcement, Alterna also stated they will be “transitioning away” from comiXology and will instead be selling digital comics directly with five digital issues being released every Friday.

They also revealed they are working directly with “nearly 100 stores, many of which are ordering on a consistent basis.”

Alterna has become a darling of the Comicsgate community with numerous members promoting rallying around the publisher.