DCML digest, Vol 1 #824 - 7 msgs

[Sue and Gary Leach]

Don (Markstein) sez:

> I heard 
> a RUMOR that Disney approached CrossGen (a small American comic book
> publisher) about the possibility of licensing the Disney characters.

If there is any truth to any of the rumors about Disney approaching this
pubisher or that, then we should take that as a hopeful sign: it signifies
that Disney (Disney Publishing, to be precise) is actually interested in
exploring options in getting the Disney comics up and running again in the
U.S. 

Taking a moment from cursing the protracted waiting, waiting, waiting, I've
put together a little summation of the situation as it stands as of this
writing:

Rumor: U.S. comics publisher X or Y or Z has been approached by Disney to
assume the U.S. Disney comics license.

Fact: Diamond Comics Distributors/Gemstone Publishing has since early 1998
been in negotiation with Disney to assume the U.S. Disney comics license.

Speculation: Disney has very likely approached other U.S. publishers to
assume the U.S. Disney comics license. However, it is unlikely that Disney
has entered into what could be properly called formal negotiations with any
of them.

Assessment: Unlike every other U.S. comics publisher, Diamond is also the
single major direct market distributor for comics in the U.S. and Canada.
Moreover, Diamond's head honcho, Steve Geppi, is a Disney comics enthusiast
from way back, and is very keen on becoming the next the publisher of U.S.
Disney comics. Put these two factors together and you come up with a
situation that would be very awkward for any other U.S. publisher to step
into, without even considering the, shall we say, uncertain value of the
U.S. Disney comics license in terms of prospective revenue and market share.

Conclusion: While Disney may put out feelers to other publishers, the
license won't be going to anyone else except Diamond unless Diamond
withdraws from the field.

Gary