New distributor policies claim another victim

The Beat reports another well-reviewed indy comic is going away as the new Diamond Comic Distributors policies take place.  Sammy Harkham will end his well-regarded comic book “Crickets.”

Many are pontificating that the end of the indy comic is nigh.  I do think that the probable consequence of this is more work on the web that eventually gets collected in graphic novel format.

Maybe that’s better for all involved — obviously, much of the artcomix crowd will “wait for the trade” as it is, and neither Harkham nor Kevin Huizenga, who announced the end of his “Or Else” comic earlier, have said they are quitting making comics as an art form.   Diamond doesn’t have to lose money moving around small numbers of low-cost items, and retailers can wait until something builds an audience before taking a chance on ordering it. While those of us who enjoy periodical comic books are no doubt frustrated, these are the economic realities we’re faced with at this time.

– Matt Price