An important first step has been taken in CrossGen's vocal campaign to attain the 'premier' status in Diamond's monthly Previews catalogue currently held by the Big Four comic publishers--Crossgen now gets a premier-like full page for each title, although its titles are listed in its regular alphabetical position in the comics section and not up front with the premiers.  We contacted CrossGen and were directed to company counsel Jennifer Hernandez, who issued a 'no comment' about the company's possible ascent to premier status.  So far e-mails and phone messages to Diamond Comic Distributors on the subject have not been answered.

 

Some have speculated that CrossGen's enhanced status in Previews might be an attempt to placate the aggressive publisher with something short of full premier status.  Others, including Rich Johnston in his 'Lying In The Gutters' column published on the Comic Book Resources Website last Monday, seem sure that CrossGen is headed for the front of the book.  The decision is solely in Diamond's hands; rumors that DC and the other existing premier publishers have veto power over any new admissions are untrue, according to DC honcho Paul Levitz (see 'Interview With Paul Levitz, Part II') and Image Publisher Jim Valentino (see 'ICv2 Talks to Jim Valentino').

 

If CrossGen does become a premier publisher, it could mean more than just a more prominent position in Previews.  CrossGen's Mark Alessi has indicated that he wants to take advantage of the ability to use pricing incentives that's associated with the premier publishers' brokerage status (see 'Interview With Mark Alessi').  Premier status would also lower the company's cost of doing business through Diamond.

 

If CrossGen does achieve premier status will it come at the expense of making Diamond its exclusive distributor?  Certainly all the other premier publishers are exclusive with Diamond for the comic market, although the market conditions that spurred those exclusivity deals no longer exist since Diamond no longer has a nationwide comic book distribution competitor capable of offering equivalent service.