Update:  An earlier version of this article included Larry's Comics and Jetpack Comics as stores participating in the new organization.  This was based on Barger's post.  We received communications from those two retailers after publication indicating that they were not involved in the new organization.  Ralph DiBernardo of Jetpack Comics said, "It is with great regret that I must inform you that you have been duped. While I appreciate the thought, at no time have I been consulted about starting or joining a new retailer organization.  I feel that the existing retailer organizations do not meet my needs as a retailer but I have no interest being a part of a new organization. I wish Dennis and his group the best of luck, and the same to all the other retailer groups, clandestine or otherwise."

Larry Doherty of Larry's Comics said, "I never agreed to join a retailer advocacy group as reported on your site today, only pool some resources to buy a Marvel variant."

The original article (now with Larry's and Jetpack's name removed) follows.

Retailer Dennis Barger of Wonderworld Comics of Taylor, Michigan announced on his Facebook page the formation of a new comic retailer organization, the Comic Book Retailer Alliance.  Other retailers named as part of the organization at launch include Randy Myers, Dominic Postiglione, Jesse James, Chandler Rice, Aaron Haaland, and Richard Nelson.  The organization will be "an advocacy group for the protection of the local comic shop and for a future in print comics for all creators," the announcement said. 

Barger was the retailer who first publicly commented on the variant cover for Powerpuff Girls, which ended up getting pulled by Cartoon Network (see "Cartoon Network Pulls Controversial 'Powerpuff Girls' Cover").

The leading comic retailer organization, ComicsPRO, just wrapped up its 2014 membership meeting (see "ComicsPRO Meeting Set").  This isn’t the first time there have been multiple comic retailer organizations at the same time, but ComicsPro has achieved a level of success in recruiting members greater than any of its predecessors, which makes the launch of a second organization something of a surprise. 

Barger promises "Way more information to come."