Diamond Book Distributors has announced they will exclusively distribute AHOY Comics trade paperbacks to the traditional book market.

The press release follows:

Media Release -- Diamond Book Distributors, the industry's leading source for graphic novels and a division of Diamond Comic Distributors, is pleased to announce that it has signed a distribution agreement with AHOY Comics. Diamond Book Distributors will exclusively distribute AHOY Comics trade paperbacks to the traditional book market, while Diamond Comic Distributors will distribute the books to the comic book specialty market.

The independent, Syracuse-based publisher was founded by Hart Seely, an award-winning journalist whose work has been featured in The New York Times and on National Public Radio. In recent weeks, AHOY Comics acquired the publishing rights to the controversial comic book series, SECOND COMING, the satirical comic book series in which Jesus Christ resumes His Holy Mission. In the series by The New York Times bestselling writer Mark Russell and acclaimed artist Richard Pace, God commands Earth's mightiest superhero, Sunstar, to accept Jesus Christ as his roommate and teach him how to use His power in a... more powerful way. SECOND COMING will be released on July 10, ahead of San Diego Comic Con and following the release of the HIGH HEAVEN trade paperback.

"We're publishing a superhero parody, an intergalactic epic featuring cats, and not one but two thoughtful satires of contemporary religion," said AHOY Comics Publisher Hart Seely. "Our publishing line is diverse and eclectic and we're looking forward to readers discovering these books in comic shops and bookstores this year."

"We are excited at the opportunity to expand our partnership with AHOY Comics and foresee great market potential for their graphic novel line," said Diamond Vice President of Purchasing, Tim Lenaghan. "Their continued effort to provide top-quality products is an asset we value, and we're greatly looking forward to working with them to promote and sell their line of books."

"We're building a reputation as a quality publishing house that offers smart, funny stories and beautiful artwork," said AHOY Comics Editor-in-Chief Tom Peyer. "We believe very strongly in comics for comics' sake."

Timed to today's announcement, AHOY Comics officially announced the release dates for its first three trade paperback collections. THE WRONG EARTH, the acclaimed superhero satire that introduced fan favorites Dragonfly and Dragonflyman, will be available in book form in comic stores across the country on May 1, ahead of the release of the company's Free Comic Book Day title entitled DRAGONFLY AND DRAGONFLYMAN #1.

THE WRONG EARTH Volume 1

By writer Tom Peyer, penciller Jamal Igle, inker Juan Castro, colorist Andy Troy and letterer Rob Steen. Featuring extra content by Paul Constant, Frank Cammuso, Gary Erskine, Tom Feister and others. Introduction by Tom Scocca.

On dark, gritty Earth-Omega, masked vigilante Dragonfly punishes evil maniacs and evades corrupt authorities. On sun-splashed Earth-Alpha, costumed crook-catcher Dragonflyman upholds the letter of the law. Now they're trapped on each other's worlds, where even the good guys don't share their values! This volume also collects all the original Stinger, Dragonfly and Dragonflyman backup stories, plus extra behind-the-scenes features.

"If you love superheroes, you NEED this. If you HATE superheroes, this will change your mind." ― Mark Millar

"Wildly entertaining" — 13TH DIMENSION

On sale in comic shops on May 1, 2019; On sale in bookstores on May 14, 2019

192 page trade paperback; $19.99 US/$25.99 CAN

CAPTAIN GINGER Volume 1

By writer Stuart Moore, penciller June Brigman, inker Roy Richardson, colorist Veronica Gandini and letterer Comicraft.

Now in one volume: the acclaimed tale of a starship run by cats! The intrepid Captain Ginger struggles to keep his fellow felines united against a hostile universe—and their own worst feline instincts. Featuring the entire original miniseries, plus two rare extra stories and a sketchbook of character designs. Introduction by Walter Simonson (Thor, Ragnarok).

"This book is steeped in cat lore, cat behavior, and cat knowledge." ― Walter Simonson, from his introduction

"So wonderfully trippy and science fiction-y it reminds readers what it is about sci-fi that they love." ― ADVENTURES IN POOR TASTE

On sale in comic shops on June 5, 2019; On sale in bookstores on June 18, 2019

128 page trade paperback; $15.99 US / $20.99 CAN

HIGH HEAVEN Volume 1

By writer Tom Peyer, artist Greg Scott, colorist Andy Troy and letterer Rob Steen. Covers by Richard Williams.

Collecting the acclaimed tale of chronic malcontent David Weathers, who dies and goes to Heaven—where everything is terrible, and everybody hates a complainer. A savage satire by writer Tom Peyer (Hourman, Batman '66) with art by Greg Scott (Black Hood, X-Files). Features the entire five-issue series plus a bonus illustrated script feature with commentary by Peyer.

"Thoughtful and clever." ―PORTLAND OREGONIAN

"Delightfully depressing… The dark humor in this is great. If superheroes are not your thing, but a thought-provoking story is, give it a try." — MAJOR SPOILERS

On sale in comic shops on June 19, 2019; On sale in bookstores on July 2, 2019

128 page trade paperback; $15.99 US / $20.99 CAN

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.

ABOUT DIAMOND BOOK DISTRIBUTORS — Diamond Book Distributors (DBD) is a division of Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc., and is dedicated to making a wide selection of its graphic novels and other pop-culture merchandise available to bookstores, libraries, schools, mass merchants and more worldwide. Based in Hunt Valley, MD, our team of professionals is committed to helping DBD's client publishers tell their stories, grow their businesses and reach new customers. We work to provide insight at every stage of the publishing process—from initial concept, to marketing, sales and distribution.

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