Connecticut-based book distributor LPC Group has signed an agreement to become the exclusive distributor to the book trade for Humanoids Publishing. FM International, Last Gasp, Cold Cut and Diamond will continue to distribute Humanoids books to pop culture stores.
Currently LPC distributes books from a number of comic publishers including most recently AiT/Planet Lar (see 'AiT/Plant Lar Signs with LPC'), along with Dark Horse, Image, and Tokyopop. The LPC Group says it is the largest distributor of graphic novels to the book trade, with sales of graphic novels surpassing one million units in 2001.
LPC Group Vice President Michael Murphy foresees a bright future for Humanoids graphic novels in U.S. bookstores. 'Humanoids' diverse line of European graphic novels really fill a special niche that seems primed for growth,' he said. 'We've already seen a rapid growth of manga from Japan. I think graphic novels from Europe will be next.'
Humanoids Publishing is the US arm of The Humanoids Group, the Franco/Belgian company that is one of Europe's top comic publishers. Since making its American debut Humanoids Publishing has issued an increasing array of graphic novels, many of which are in a deluxe hardcover format (see 'Humanoids Brings European Graphic Novels to the US'). Humanoids Publishing is currently offering a returnable program for pop culture retailers who want to test the potential for European graphic novels (see 'Humanoids Offers Returnable Program'.
