Page "Pacific Comics" Paragraph 2

The move from newsstand distribution to the " direct market " ( non-returnable, heavily-discounted, direct purchasing of comics from publishers ) happened in the 1970s, in large part due to the work of Phil Seuling and his East Coast Seagate Distribution company ( founded in 1974 ), as well as a number of individuals, including the Schanes brothers and Bud Plant.

The direct-market went hand-in-hand with the creation of specialist comics shops to cater to the collectors who could then buy back issues months after a newsstand issue had disappeared.

By the late 1970s, thanks partly to the success of films such as Star Wars and Superman: The Movie, comics were selling well, and Pacific expanded its distribution system nationwide, " raising $ 200, 000 by closing its four San Diego retail locations and selling off inventory ," rising rapidly to the top of the new distribution system.