Paul Duboc, associate publisher at the Checker Book Publishing Group has informed ICv2 that Checker's exclusive agreement with Diamond only pertains to the book trade.  Comic book and pop culture retailers will still be able to order Checker titles from FM International, Cold Cut, Bud Plant, and other distributors serving the direct market.  Diamond will represent the Checker Book Publishing Group to bookstores (see 'Diamond Wraps Up Checker'), but direct market retailers will still be able to buy Checker books from a variety of distribution outlets.