Neptune Distribution
{{Short description|UK based Comic Distribution Company}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Neptune Comic Distributors Ltd.
| logo = NeptuneDistribution-logo.jpg
| type = Comic book distribution, Comics publishing
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1985}}
| fate = Acquired by Diamond Comic Distributors, 1991
| location_city = Leicester
| location_country = United Kingdom
| key_people = Geoff Fry
| industry = Comics
| products = Comics, Magazines and Related Merchandise
| revenue =
| num_employees =
| parent =
| divisions = Trident Comics (1989–1991)
Apocalypse Ltd (1990–1991)
| homepage =
| footnotes =
}}
Neptune Distribution was a UK based comic distribution company founded and headquartered in Leicester, which existed from 1985 to 1991.
History
Neptune Comics (as it was named at the outset), began in 1985 as a small direct-to-consumer mail order company selling American comics to UK collectors at a time when there were few specialist retail outlets. In early 1986 Neptune Comics also began selling at regional Comic Marts in cities such as Leeds and Sheffield, and by mid-1986 began supplying retail outlets. Neptune acted as a sub-distributor in regard to American comics, initially acquiring them from Bud Plant Inc. (which was acquired by Diamond Comic Distributors in 1988).{{cite magazine|title=Bud Plant Sells Out to Diamond|magazine=The Comics Journal|number=124|date=Aug 1988|pages=9–10}}
The company was incorporated in the spring of 1987 as Neptune Comic Distributors Limited.{{Cite web |title=Neptune Comic Distributors Limited |url=https://app.duedil.com/company/gb/02111543/neptune-comic-distributors-limited |website=DueDil|access-date=June 22, 2023|quote=Incorporation date: 17 Mar 1987}} By this point, Neptune's initial aim of challenging Titan Distribution's monopoly on the UK comic distribution business was well established.
Neptune expanded into publishing in 1989 with Trident Comics, and in late 1990 helped to found Apocalypse Ltd, which published Toxic!, a weekly title meant to compete with Fleetway Publications's 2000 AD.{{cite book|last=Bishop|first=David|title=Thrill-Power Overload: The Official History of 2000 AD|publisher=Rebellion Developments|date=June 2007|isbn=978-1-905437-22-1|pages=142–143}}
= Closure =
The company expanded too quickly, however. Financial problems led the distribution side to stop importing American comics in July 1991, as it could not pay outstanding bills owed to Diamond. Soon after, Diamond absorbed Neptune;{{cite magazine|title=Newswatch: Geppi Buys Baltimore|magazine=The Comics Journal|number=174|date=Feb 1995|page=29}} this British distribution base enabled Diamond to form Diamond UK.{{Cite web |title=Diamond Timeline Chronicles 30 Years of Service & Success |url=http://www.diamondcomics.com/Article/117735-Diamond-Timeline-Chronicles-30-Years-of-Service--Success |access-date=2022-07-04 |website=www.diamondcomics.com |language=en}} (Diamond next acquired Titan Distributors in 1993.){{cite news|title=Newswatch: Diamond Acquires Titan Distributors|work=The Comics Journal|number=162|date=Oct 1993|pages=35–36}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Authority control}}
Category:1991 disestablishments in the United Kingdom
Category:British companies established in 1986
Category:Companies based in Leicester
Category:Comic book publishing companies of the United Kingdom
Category:Defunct companies of the United Kingdom
Category:Privately held companies of the United Kingdom
Category:Publishing companies established in 1986
Category:1991 mergers and acquisitions
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