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

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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