Image Comics is an American comic book publisher and is the third largest direct market comic book and graphic novel publisher in the industry by market share.
Panel at ComicCon 2007 on the 15th anniversary of the founding of Image Comics. From left: Jim Lee, Todd McFarlane, Erik Larsen, Jim Valentino, Marc Silvestri, Rob Liefeld and Whilce Portacio
A panel of non-founding Image creators at the 2010 New York Comic Con (l–r): Tomm Coker, Tim Seeley, Ben McCool, James Zhang, Nick Spencer and Ron Marz
The direct market is the dominant distribution and retail network for American comic books. The concept of the direct market was created in the 1970s by Phil Seuling. The network currently consists of:three major comic distributors:
Lunar Distribution ;
Penguin Random House Publisher Services, which since 1 October 2021 distributes Marvel Comics, since 1 June 2022 distributes IDW Publishing, and since 1 June 2023 distributes Dark Horse Comics; and
Diamond Comic Distributors, which distributes most, if not all, non-DC/Marvel/Image/IDW/Dark Horse comics and wholesales Marvel Comics, Image Comics, IDW Publishing, and Dark Horse Comics.
the majority of comics specialty stores, and
other retailers of comic books and related merchandise.
Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash comic book store in Red Bank, New Jersey.
