In September 2022, DC Comics and Universal Distribution entered into a global distribution agreement that began in October 2022 for releases in January 2023. Read that again, GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION. But, Universal has had a presence in just Canada, so “global” has been non-existent but there was an opening for the future. With the purchase of Alliance Game Distributors from the bankrupt Diamond, Universal now has an opportunity to do so and infrastructure to make it happen, as well as accounts that may be interested. It was revealed today through social media that Universal will offer DC Comics to US retail stores through Alliance. Alliance has a warehouse in the US in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a nice centralized location to distribute to US retailers.

Universal’s sales teams are currently focused on regions centered on Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto, with no US teams listed. Their website specifically says they “do not sell to the public, into the United States, or to online stores.” But, Alliance would allow them to expand with an already existing infrastructure and customer base.

Retailer Ryan Higgins of Comics Conspiracy pointed out the change on social media but the news has been rather stealth. This change would challenge Lunar Distribution which has had a monopoly on the distribution of DC in the US up to this point.

Universal has contracts with all of the major publishers. Their website lists DC, Marvel Image, Dynamite, IDW, BOOM!, Dark Horse, Vault, Oni, Mad Cave, and more including some independent publishers. We don’t know what those contracts are like but if they are also for “global distribution,” it wouldn’t be a stretch to see Universal break the exclusive distribution strangleholds that have again taken root in US comic distribution.

It also opens up an opportunity for stores that primarily sell games to dip their toes into comics looking for series or characters that might compliment and crossover with games.

We’ve reached out to both Universal and Alliance for comment but have not heard back.