Part 11/14:
The decline of the traditional direct market is evident. Multiple comic shops have ceased carrying new issues, citing poor sales or distribution issues. During the pandemic, some shops closed permanently, and others are hesitant to stock certain DC or Marvel titles due to dwindling demand.
Additionally, reports indicate that DC has struggled with distribution, moving from Diamond to new distributors like Lunar, with inconsistent sales reporting and damaged product issues. This fragmented distribution system complicates a clear understanding of actual market performance.