In early January, Diamond Comic Distributors declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. With that, it has been revealed the comic distributor is behind paying publishers money owed for product received and sold. One such publisher is Black Panel Press.

Black Panel Press announced in response that it would postpone releases until things are settled and they are paid the $28,000 Diamond owes them. Many publishers operate on razor thin margins and delays in payments can easily spiral into a situation they can’t get out of, even when it’s one not of their own making like this.

For now, the publisher has launched a GoFundMe in order to pay their authors royalties owed, printing for upcoming titles, and more.

Read the full message from Publisher Andrew Benteau below and chip in to help.

As you may have heard, after the best year in Black Panel Press’s history (over 5,000 books sold and receiving the prestigious JLG Gold Selection for Shadows on the Ice), our distributor Diamond Comics has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, owing us over $28,000. We need that money to pay our authors’ royalties and to print our upcoming titles, plus everything else that goes into running a business.

I have a plan to set things back on course, but we need help. I’ve started a GoFundMe campaign to raise donations to get us through the next few months.

After that period, either the situation with Diamond will stabilize (they are talking with potential buyers) or we’ll have new distribution elsewhere.

This company has been a labor of love for seven years. We’ve published incredible, unique graphic novels by creators from all over the world, many of whom have told me how no other publishers would publish their books. Comics are important; we need more of them, not less.

We understand that times are tough all around. If you can share this, great. Even better if you can donate. Your help means a lot.

Thank you so much for your support.

https://gofund.me/3a279ff0