Diamond Comic Distributors, the world’s largest distributor of English-language comic books, graphic novels, and pop culture merchandise, is pleased to announce that it has signed a distribution agreement with Artists, Writers & Artisans to exclusively distribute their products to comic book specialty markets worldwide. Diamond was also awarded the rights to exclusively distribute Artists, Writers & Artisans new releases to the North American book market under the banner of Diamond Book Distributors.

Artists, Writers & Artisans, also known as AWA Studios, is an independent publisher crafting new characters, stories, and worlds for a 21st century audience. The company approaches the comic book industry with a new business model, one that focuses on creators and gives them ownership of their work, the company, or even both. Founded by Marvel alumni Axel Alonso and Bill Jemas, along with former CEO of AOL and of Digital Media at News Corp, Jon Miller, AWA Studios aims to give power back to the creators with a genre-blending, sky’s-the-limit approach to storytelling.

"Comics aren’t a genre of storytelling—they’re a medium,” said Axel Alonso, Chief Creative Officer of AWA Studios. “A medium that is only as limited as the talent and tastes of the creators making them and the publishers supporting those creators. At AWA Studios, we want to tap their full potential, with stories that span and blend all genres: crime, horror, war, western, science fiction, journalism—and yes—superheroes.”

Frank Fochetta, Senior Consultant of Sales & Distribution, added, "Similar to AWA Studios's shared creator culture, we have initiated The AWA Retail Council with comic and book retailers encompassing editorial input, and industry leading financial incentives. Our book content approach is to sell what works with direct retailer say, supporting buys with industry leading discounts and credits. We are offering what we believe to be the best and only fair deal for comic and book retailers by selling you what you want to buy at a price you want to pay. We also provide the opportunity to read all of our stories in full before you make the decision to purchase.

AWA Studios boasts a continuously expanding library of standalone stories and ongoing series that span genres and audiences, offering diverse tales for a broad range of readers. Upcoming trade paperback releases include The Resistance, Year Zero, Archangel 8, Red Border, and Hotell.

“We can’t wait to show you more innovative series by top talent and tomorrow’s stars that will entertain, challenge, provoke and expand the boundaries of the medium,” says Alonso.