Haven’t had enough of the ongoing Diamond sale and bankruptcy saga of 2025? (Read the latest here) Well, I got bad news for you, there is more, and now it could affect BOOM! Studios fans at your local library.
First there was the announcement of BOOM! Studios being purchased by Penguin Random House last year, then we got news that BOOM would move its periodical comic distribution in July and then moved up to April. It seems that all this rush to leave the sinking Diamond ship might have some unintended consequences for BOOM! eBook services at libraries because BOOM Studios now has to deal with Penguin Random House digital book distribution rules.
Comics Plus is a eBook service used by libraries and according to a mass email sent out by them “PHR doesn’t support the unlimited access nor engagement models that Comics Plus requires to serve our library and school customers”
From Comic Plus post on their website:
Boom! Studios comics will be removed from the ComicsPlus collections, for both adults and kids, on 30 May 2025. Boom! Studios was acquired by Penguin Random House, which limits content libraries can offer to our members, and are taking away their entire collections.The comics in the Boom! Studios collection include Dune: House Atreides, Planet of the Apes, Artesia, Firefly, Garfield, Lumberjanes, Bee and Puppycat, and many others for all ages. Read them quickly, or miss out!
“Comics Plus is the most affordable eBook service libraries have, and library patrons deserve the accessibility they offer for Boom Studios titles.” said Comics Librarian Jack Phoenix over on Bluesky. “Too often, publishers pay lip service about supporting libraries but screw us over when no one is looking. Email Boom@[email protected] and tell them you want them to stay on Comics Plus. Ask them to send your email to PRH”
Comics Plus will continue to be a robust service for libraries and schools thanks to the many library-friendly publishers who believe in offering equitable digital access to readers. Dark Horse, Dynamite, Image Comics, Mad Cave, Oni Press, Tokyopop, and Yen Press —among dozens of others — continue to support unlimited, simultaneous access through Comics Plus, and we’ll continue to add new titles to the collection every week.” said Guy LeCharles Gonzalez, Chief Content and Marketing Officer at Library Pass.
“Librarians are very aware of the restrictive ebook licensing models preferred by some publishers, and our customers understand how those models affect what is and isn’t available to their readers through Comics Plus.” Gonzales concluded
Physical books will still be available so you can still catch up on SIKTC, just make sure to reserve it because if you are counting on a digital copy, well you are out of luck.
