Dear Diamond’s New Owners…

In January 2025, Diamond Comic Distributors and its related companies declared Chapter 11 throwing the comic industry into unknown territory and what felt at times chaos. There’s been numerous twists and turns over the months with bids accepted, rejected, threats of lawsuits, and shocking reveals. It’s been a real-world drama with major ramifications for the comic industry.

Today, that drama saw what might be the beginning of its final chapter as the court presiding over the case gave approval of the joint bid by Universal Distribution and Ad Populum to purchase Diamond and its various assets. There are still numerous steps to go, but this might be the beginning of the end to the drama.

But, what of its new owners? Are there lessons to be learned and a new vision and attitude towards not just Diamond’s clients but its employees to come out of it? We’ve heard frustrations from retailers, many of whom are vocal, and horror stories from employees within the company. This feels like an opportunity for a new start in many ways, as the old clearly didn’t work.

We had a former Diamond employee reach out with what they hope might change. Below is their anonymous letter about what they hope the new owners might change if/when the deal is finalized and they take over.

To whom it may concern

I am a former employee who worked at Diamond in multiple departments from 2012 – 2021.

I am writing to ask a favor.

Though I no longer work at Diamond, I remember painfully well how stressful the culture at the home office was; from unprofessional behavior at the management level to heartbreakingly low wages considering the workload and expectations. While it’s true that I am unfamiliar with the current state of Diamond’s corporate culture, I have the sinking feeling it has not improved.

I urge you, the buyers of the company, to take a close look at the treatment of the staff, both in Baltimore and at their main warehouse in Mississippi, and make changes that are necessary for retention and stress management.

While I had quite a few positive experiences at Diamond, there were also instances that were unprofessional and even dangerous.

The largest problem at the company is the very small pay scale for hourly employees beneath the management level. Though I worked there for nine years, and had a positive reputation with retailers and publishers, when I left I was making below $35k a year; nowhere near enough to survive in an expensive state like Maryland. Efforts to advocate for myself fell on deaf ears. During my brand management years, when I asked what it would take to receive more than a 3% raise, I was told that I would need to be assigned larger publishers. When the opportunity arose, Diamond decided to hire outside the company without giving existing Brand Managers the opportunity to apply for a higher position, effectively trapping them at lower pay scales for the foreseeable future.

I have no horse in this race. I do not benefit from the improvement of Diamond’s corporate culture or any wage increases the staff might see, and I have no desire to retaliate for past slights, perceived or not. However, watching the drama surrounding their bankruptcy, I had a feeling that even under new management, these things may go unaddressed.

I ask you, politely, if urgently, to address them.

Thank you for your time

Source: Graphic Policy