Thursday, January 17, 2019

Diamond Announces 2018 Gem Award Winners as Voted by Comic Book Specialty Retailers

(Baltimore, MD) — (January 17, 2019) — Diamond Comic Distributors proudly announces the winners of the 2018 Diamond Gem Awards, selected by comic book specialty retailers and celebrated within the comic book industry as a key annual award honoring sales success.

DC Entertainment took home Comic Book Publisher of the Year (Over 3% Market Share) in 2018 and had the Top Dollar Comic Book with Action Comics #1000. Retailers recognized DC with the most Gem Awards–six–including the Comic Book of the Year $3.99 or Under with Heroes In Crisis #1; Comic Book of the Year – Over $3.99 with Action Comics #1000; Reprint TP or HC of the Year with Batman White Knight; Best All Ages Series with DC Super Hero Girls; and Best All-Ages Original/Reprint Graphic Novel with DC Super Hero Girls: Date With Disaster. DC Collectibles, the collectibles branch of DC Entertainment won Collectible Statue of the Year with the Batman Black and White: The Batman Who Laughs statue.

Marvel Comics earned five Gem Awards, including Top Dollar Market Share Publisher of the Year, Licensed Comic of the Year with Star Wars: Darth Vader Dark Lord of the Sith Volume 2; Anthology of the Year with Thanos Legacy #1; Best Free Comic Book Day Book with FCBD 2018 Avengers Captain America; and Best New Comic Book Series with Immortal Hulk.

Image Comics received two Gem Awards, taking home Backlist Publisher of the Year and Original Graphic Novel of the Year with My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies.

Dark Horse Comics received two Gem Awards, for Licensed Comic of the Year with Stranger Things #1 and Trade Book of the Year with The Legend of Zelda Encylopedia.

IDW Publishing received a Gem Awards, taking home Game Product of the Year with Batman: The Animated Series Gotham Under Siege.

Retailers also recognized BOOM! Studios as Comic Book Publisher of the Year (Under 3% Market Share), VIZ Media with two Gem Awards, including Manga Publisher of the Year; and Diamond Select Toys with two Gem Awards, including Toy Manufacturer of the Year.

A panel of Diamond product specialists selected the supplier nominees for the Diamond Gem Awards based on each entry’s overall impact on the industry, while comics and related merchandise were chosen on the merits of their sales performance and quality from 2018. Members of the most critical segment that serves the comic book-buying public–comic book specialty retailers across the United States and worldwide–then selected the winners.

 

2018 Diamond Gem Award Suppliers of the Year 

2018 Comic Book Publisher of the Year – Over 3%: DC Entertainment

2018 Comic Book Publisher of the Year – Under 3%: BOOM! Studios

2018 Backlist Publisher of the Year: Image Comics

2018 Top Dollar Comic Book Publisher of the Year: Marvel Comics

2018 Manga Publisher of the Year: VIZ Media

2018 Game Manufacturer of the Year: WizKids/ NECA

2018 Toy Manufacturer of the Year: Diamond Select Toys

 

2018 Diamond Gem Award Products of the Year

2018 Comic Book of the Year – Under $3.99: Heroes in Crisis #1, DC Entertainment

2018 Comic Book of the Year – Over $3.99: Action Comics #1000, DC Entertainment

2018 Top Dollar Comic Book: Action Comics #1000, DC Entertainment

2018 Best New Comic Book Series: Immortal Hulk, Marvel Comics

2018 Best All Ages Series: DC Super Hero Girls, DC Entertainment

2018 Best All Ages Original/Reprint GN: DC Super Hero Girls, Date With Disaster, DC Entertainment

2018 Licensed Comic of the Year: Stranger Things #1, Dark Horse Comics

2018 Licensed TP or HC of the Year: Star Wars Darth Vader Dark Lord Sith Volume 2: Legacy’s End, Marvel Comics

2018 Original Graphic Novel of the Year: My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies, Image Comics

2018 Reprint TP or HC of the Year: Batman White Knight, DC Entertainment

2018 Indie Graphic Novel of the Year: Berlin: The Complete Edition, Drawn + Quarterly

2018 Manga TP of the Year: My Hero Academia, Volume 13

2018 Anthology of the Year: Thanos Legacy #1

2018 Magazine of the Year: Heavy Metal, Heavy Metal Magazine

2018 Trade Book of the Year: The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Comics

2018 Best Free Comic Book Day Book: FCBD 2018 Avengers Captain America, Marvel Comics

2018 Game Product of the Year: Batman: The Animated Series Gotham Under Siege, IDW Games

2018 Toy Product of the Year: Marvel Select Thor: Ragnarok Gladiator Hulk Action Figure

2018 Toy Line of the Year: Funko POP!, Funko

2018 Collectible Statue of the Year: Batman Black and White: The Batman Who Laughs Statue, DC Collectibles

***

 

ABOUT DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS (DCD)—Diamond is at the nexus of comics and pop culture. Based in Hunt Valley, MD, DCD is the world’s largest distributor of English-language comic books, graphic novels, and related pop-culture merchandise, serving thousands of retailers worldwide. For more information, visit Diamond on the web at www.diamondcomics.com.


via http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/diamond-announces-2018-gem-award-winners-as-voted-by-comic-book-specialty-retailers/
Daniel Pickett


Entertainment Earth

Funko Round-Up: Star Wars, Marvel, Zoolander, Rick and Morty, and Dr. Seuss!

Funko announces tons of new products and licenses every day, let alone every week. It can be a lot to keep up with. So we are here to help. Welcome to the Funko Round-Up! In this edition: Britney Spears gets a Pop from one of her most iconic performances, Return of the Jedi is the focus of the newest wave of Star Wars Pops, a new version of Giant-Man from the MCU, Rick and Morty get Funko cereal boxes,  Zoolander joins the Funko family, and one of the best authors of all-time is immortalized. Let’s take a look!

Funko Dr. Seuss

That author is none other that Dr. Seuss! This one feels like a long time coming, and I personally can’t wait to add him to my bookcase next to his classic books. He will be available this month.

Funko Marvel Giant-Man 10 Inch

Amazon is now taking preorders for a 10-inch version of Giant-Man from the MCU film Ant-Man and the Wasp. Finally, Giant-Man in proper scale!

Funko Cereal Rick and Morty Rick Funko Cereal Rick and MOrty Morty Funko Cereal Meeseeks Rick and MOrty Funko Cereal Rick and MOrty Snowball

Rick and Morty Funko cereal will hit retailers soon, with Rick cereal exclusive to Gamestop, Meeseeks cereal at FYE, and SNowball cereal at Hot Topic.

Funko Zoolander Funko Zoolander Hansel Funko Zoolander Mugatu Funko Zoolander Mugatu Chase

Zoolander Pops hit in April, with Derek, Hansel, and Mugatu all getting the Pop treatment. Mugatu will have a chase version with him holding his dog.

Funko Star Wars Emperor Funko Star Wars Vader Funko Star Wars Wicket Funko Star Wars Lando Funko Star Wars Han Funko Star Wars Leia

The newest Star Wars wave of Pops will focus on Endor and the Return of the Jedi. New versions of the Emperor, an electrified Darth Vader, Wicket, Lando, Han, and Leia will all be available.

Funko Star Wars 10 Inch Wicket Funko Star WarsBaby Nippet Funko Star Wars Vader Glow

Three exclusives can be found at Target. A 10-inch version of Wicket will be available, and in my opinion is a must-own. This just became my most anticipated Funko Pop. A flocked version of Baby Nippet will be available, and is adorable. Finally, a glow version of electrified Darth Vader will also be found there. These will all be released soon, no firm date given.

Funko Rock Britney Spears

And finally, a Britney Spears Pop from when she performed her hit “I’m a Slave For You” on the MTV VMA’s in 2001 with a live snake is coming soon.

Most of these products can be ordered or preordered right here.

The post Funko Round-Up: Star Wars, Marvel, Zoolander, Rick and Morty, and Dr. Seuss! appeared first on Bleeding Cool News And Rumors.


via https://www.bleedingcool.com/2019/01/17/funko-round-up-star-wars-marvel-zoolander-rick-and-morty-dr-seuss/
Jeremy Konrad


Entertainment Earth

Coming Soon from Funko: Britney Spears Pop!

Pop! Rocks: Britney Spears

Wearing the iconic outfit from her “I’m a Slave 4 U” legendary performance, the Princess of Pop Britney is ready to entertain.
This Pop! captures an iconic moment in music history while remaining timeless for any Britney fan.

  

 

Coming Soon!  


via http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/coming-soon-from-funko-britney-spears-pop/
Daniel Pickett


Entertainment Earth

The Top 100 Toys Ordered in 2018 By Comic Stores

We saw the sales figures and marketshare for 2018 earlier in the week. We ran the five hundred most-ordered comics and graphic novels of 2018. Now, courtesy of Diamond Comic Distributors, here are the 100 most-ordered toys in 2018 by comic stores in North America through Diamond’s direct market.

TOP 100 TOYS
Based on Total Retail Dollar Sales of Products Invoiced in 2018

DOLLAR
RANK
QTY
RANK
ITEM
CODE
DESCRIPTION PRICE VENDOR
1 2 MAR101468 MARVEL SELECT DEADPOOL AF $24.99 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
2 116 DEC168933 DRAGONBALL SUPER DRAGON STARS AF ASST B $84.00 BANDAI AMERICA
3 29 NOV178113 OVERWATCH D.VA NENDOROID CLASSIC SKIN VER $56.99 GOOD SMILE COMPANY
4 13 APR182161 MARVEL GALLERY AVENGERS 3 THANOS PVC FIGURE $45.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
5 66 MAR178670 ONE-12 COLLECTIVE MARVEL X-FORCE WOLVERINE PX AF $54.00 MEZCO TOYS
6 63 FEB178707 ONE-12 COLLECTIVE MARVEL X-FORCE DEADPOOL PX AF $54.00 MEZCO TOYS
7 65 FEB178708 ONE-12 COLLECTIVE MARVEL SPIDER-MAN BLK VER PX AF $54.00 MEZCO TOYS
8 9 JUL172803 MARVEL SELECT THOR RAGNAROK GLADIATOR HULK AF $24.99 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
9 810 AUG178473 OVERWATCH D.VA 20IN STATUE $387.50 BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT, INC
10 1 DEC178162 POP RICK & MORTY PICKLE RICK NO LIMBS PX VINYL FIGURE $11.99 FUNKO
11 137 JAN189071 SDCC 2018 VOLTRON HYPERPHASE VOLTRON PX 5PC GIFT SET $129.99 PLAYMATES
12 279 MAY180613 DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS BATMAN & CATWOMAN STATUE $250.00 DC COMICS
13 24 MAY182304 MARVEL GALLERY VENOM COMIC PVC FIGURE $45.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
14 22 SEP172483 MARVEL GALLERY THOR RAGNAROK THOR PVC FIG $45.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
15 301 MAR188055 OVERWATCH MERCY 12IN STATUE $132.00 BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT, INC
16 21 MAR182429 MARVEL GALLERY TACO TRUCK DEADPOOL PVC FIGURE $45.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
17 160 JUL172797 MARVEL PREMIERE VENOM STATUE $150.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
18 98 MAR178824 ONE-12 COLLECTIVE DC STEALTH DEATHSTROKE PX AF $54.00 MEZCO TOYS
19 25 JUN162394 MARVEL GALLERY DEADPOOL PVC FIG $45.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
20 34 AUG172642 MARVEL GALLERY THOR RAGNAROK HULK PVC FIG $50.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
21 27 APR182164 MARVEL GALLERY AVENGERS 3 THOR PVC FIGURE $45.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
22 11 DEC178718 SDCC 2018 POP MARVEL TELEPORTING LOCKJAW & BLACK BOLT PX 2PK $25.00 FUNKO
23 84 MAY180609 BATMAN BLACK & WHITE THE BATMAN WHO LAUGHS STATUE $80.00 DC COMICS
24 31 MAY182303 DC GALLERY BATMAN COMIC WHO LAUGHS PVC FIGURE $45.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
25 50 MAY178992 OVERWATCH MERCY NENDOROID CLASSIC SKIN VER $56.99 GOOD SMILE COMPANY
26 190 AUG178888 PACIFIC RIM 2 SELECT AF SERIES 1 ASST $149.94 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
27 3 DEC178161 POP HEROES DC DEATH PX VINYL FIGURE $11.99 FUNKO
28 12 MAY052331 MARVEL SELECT THANOS AF $24.99 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
29 118 JUL178556 ONE-12 COLLECTIVE DC PX ASCENDING KNIGHT BATMAN BLUE AF $56.00 MEZCO TOYS
30 17 AUG170365 DC TV THE FLASH SEASON 3 AF $28.00 DC COMICS
31 4 APR188340 POP MARVEL GOTG COMIC ROCKET RACCOON CLASSIC PX VINYL FIGURE $11.99 FUNKO
32 352 JUL178804 X-MEN LEGENDS 6IN AF ASST 201801 $122.00 HASBRO TOY GROUP
33 358 JUL178802 VENOM LEGENDS 6IN AF ASST 201801 $122.00 HASBRO TOY GROUP
34 378 JUL178752 DEADPOOL LEGENDS 6IN AF ASST 201802 $122.00 HASBRO TOY GROUP
35 71 SEP178585 OVERWATCH GENJI NENDOROID CLASSIC SKIN VER $56.99 GOOD SMILE COMPANY
36 37 AUG178008 MARVEL GALLERY AVENGERS 3 DR STRANGE PVC FIGURE $45.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
37 403 JUL178751 DEADPOOL LEGENDS 6IN AF ASST 201801 $122.00 HASBRO TOY GROUP
38 796 MAR180386 DC DESIGNER SER TRINITY BY JASON FABOK STATUE $395.00 DC COMICS
39 142 AUG178702 ONE-12 COLLECTIVE MARVEL PX DEFENDERS DOCTOR STRANGE AF $56.00 MEZCO TOYS
40 15 OCT172354 MARVEL SELECT VENOM AF (O/A) $24.99 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
41 16 SEP172486 MARVEL SELECT BLACK PANTHER MOVIE AF $24.99 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
42 79 APR172648 DC GALLERY BATMAN TAS 25 ANNIV HARLEY QUINN DLX PVC FIG $60.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
43 199 SEP170453 DC COVER GIRLS HARLEY QUINN BY JOELLE JONES STATUE $125.00 DC COMICS
44 429 JUL178726 AVENGERS LEGENDS 6IN AF ASST 201802 $122.00 HASBRO TOY GROUP
45 260 NOV170394 DC DESIGNER SERIES METAL BATMAN STATUE BY CAPULLO $150.00 DC COMICS
46 5 OCT170013 FCBD 2018 POP SAGA BLOODY LYING CAT PX VIN FIG $11.99 FUNKO
47 33 JUL178584 POP RIDES MARVEL CLASSIC GHOST RIDER W/BIKE PX VIN FIG GLOW $29.99 FUNKO
48 6 AUG178958 POP DRAGON BALL SUPER GOTENKS PX VINYL FIGURE $11.99 FUNKO
49 7 APR188339 HCF 2018 POP MARVEL GOTG STAR LORD CLASSIC PX VIN FIG $11.99 FUNKO
50 509 JUL189227 OVERWATCH MEI FLOATING SNOWBALL REPLICA $137.50 BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT, INC
51 454 JUL178781 AVENGERS LEGENDS 6IN AF ASST 201801 $122.00 HASBRO TOY GROUP
52 18 JUL172802 MARVEL SELECT THOR RAGNAROK GLADIATOR THOR AF $24.99 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
53 8 JUN178581 POP HELLBOY W/EXCALIBUR PX VINYL FIGURE $11.99 FUNKO
54 43 APR182158 MARVEL GALLERY AVENGERS 3 CAPTAIN AMERICA PVC FIGURE $45.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
55 97 SEP178586 OVERWATCH HANZO NENDOROID CLASSIC SKIN VER $56.99 GOOD SMILE COMPANY
56 10 AUG178575 POP HEROES LOBO PX VINYL FIGURE BLOODY $11.99 FUNKO
57 123 AUG170368 HARLEY QUINN RED WHITE & BLACK BY STANLEY LAU STATUE $80.00 DC COMICS
58 19 JUN101512 MARVEL SELECT JUGGERNAUT AF $24.99 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
59 475 JUL189228 OVERWATCH GENJI SWORD REPLICA $199.99 BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT, INC
60 270 OCT172362 MARVEL PREMIERE DEADPOOL STATUE $150.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
61 115 SEP178239 KINGDOM HEARTS 3 SORA 2ND FORM BRING ARTS 6IN PX AF $59.99 SQUARE ENIX INC
62 461 AUG178508 OVERWATCH TRACER 12IN STATUE $120.00 BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT, INC
63 20 DEC074356 MARVEL SELECT INCREDIBLE HULK AF $24.99 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
64 39 JUL178585 POP RIDES MARVEL CLASSIC GHOST RIDER W/BIKE PX VINYL FIG (O/ $29.99 FUNKO
65 75 SEP170451 BATMAN ANIMATED JOKER EXPRESSIONS PACK $50.00 DC COMICS
66 308 JAN182369 PACIFIC RIM 2 SELECT AF SERIES 2 ASST $149.94 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
67 311 JUL182490 GHOSTBUSTERS SELECT AF SERIES 9 ASST $149.94 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
68 200 MAY178050 OVERWATCH TRACER FIGMA AF $89.99 GOOD SMILE COMPANY
69 1242 MAR178289 LOZ BREATH OF THE WILD LINK RAH $252.00 MEDICOM TOY CORPORATION
70 307 DEC172279 MARVEL PREMIERE CABLE STATUE $150.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
71 28 DEC170421 DC ESSENTIALS BATMAN AF $26.00 DC COMICS
72 435 FEB188788 DRAGONBALL SUPER DRAGON STARS AF ASST G $100.80 BANDAI AMERICA
73 571 FEB188917 SW BLACK SERIES 6IN AF ASST 201803 $122.00 HASBRO TOY GROUP
74 26 MAR182431 MARVEL SELECT BEAST COMIC AF $24.99 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
75 62 DEC172278 MARVEL GALLERY BLACK PANTHER MOVIE PVC FIGURE $45.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
76 54 AUG172644 MARVEL GALLERY HOMECOMING SPIDER-MAN PVC FIG $45.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
77 74 DEC172251 JLA MOVIE GALLERY WONDER WOMAN PVC FIGURE $45.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
78 59 APR182160 MARVEL GALLERY AVENGERS 3 BLACK WIDOW PVC FIGURE $45.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
79 30 DEC170423 DC ESSENTIALS THE FLASH AF $26.00 DC COMICS
80 625 JUL178783 SPIDER-MAN LEGENDS 6IN AF ASST 201802 $122.00 HASBRO TOY GROUP
81 538 AUG178507 OVERWATCH REAPER 12IN STATUE $120.00 BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT, INC
82 581 MAY188257 ORIGINAL TAMAGOTCHI 8PC DISPLAY 2018 WAVE A $134.40 BANDAI AMERICA
83 88 FEB180330 BATMAN ANIMATED HARLEY QUINN EXPRESSIONS PACK $50.00 DC COMICS
84 416 DEC178373 FINAL FANTASY BAHAMUT CREATURES BRING ARTS AF (O/A) $149.99 SQUARE ENIX INC
85 881 SEP170450 DC GALLERY SUPERMAN VS FLASH RACING STATUE $295.00 DC COMICS
86 90 MAR180390 DC CORE BATMAN PVC STATUE $50.00 DC COMICS
87 157 OCT170395 HARLEY QUINN RED WHITE & BLACK STATUE BY BABS TARR $80.00 DC COMICS
88 77 NOV172443 MARVEL GALLERY X-23 PVC FIGURE $45.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
89 582 DEC178061 OVERWATCH GENJI 12IN STATUE $120.00 BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT, INC
90 296 MAY180610 DC COVER GIRLS CATWOMAN BY JOELLE JONES STATUE $125.00 DC COMICS
91 168 JAN188701 LOZ BREATH OF THE WILD GUARDIAN NENDOROID $69.99 GOOD SMILE COMPANY
92 69 JAN188826 SDCC 2018 MARVEL GALLERY WHITE PHOENIX PVC FIGURE $45.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
93 94 FEB180333 DC CORE THE JOKER PVC STATUE $50.00 DC COMICS
94 343 JUL178729 AVENGERS LEGENDS GEAR INFINITY GAUNTLET $72.50 HASBRO TOY GROUP
95 89 MAY178022 BORUTO – NARUTO NEXT GEN NARUTO FIG $32.50 BANDAI AMERICA
96 395 OCT170393 DC DESIGNER SERIES BATMAN BY MIKE MIGNOLA STATUE $150.00 DC COMICS
97 81 MAY182305 MARVEL GALLERY BLACK PANTHER MOVIE V2 PVC FIGURE $45.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
98 36 JAN172662 MARVEL SELECT GOTG 2 DRAX & BABY GROOT AF $24.99 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
99 72 OCT074330 ST TOS BLACK HANDLE PHASER $40.00 DIAMOND SELECT TOYS LLC
100 638 AUG178509 OVERWATCH WIDOWMAKER 12IN STATUE $120.00 BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT, INC

The post The Top 100 Toys Ordered in 2018 By Comic Stores appeared first on Bleeding Cool News And Rumors.


via https://www.bleedingcool.com/2019/01/17/the-top-100-toys-ordered-in-2018-by-comic-stores/
Rich Johnston


Entertainment Earth