"While all of Diamond's suppliers and their products are important facets of the overall comics specialty market," explained Diamond President and CEO Steve Geppi, "the Gem Award winners offer our customers the chance to honor those that had been especially beneficial in helping their businesses grow during the past year. They are the crème de le crème of what our industry as a whole has to offer."

Selected by a panel of Diamond product specialists, the Gem Award nominees were chosen on the basis of their overall impact on the industry, while comics and related merchandise were chosen on the merits of their quality, creativity, and sales performance in 2002. As a result, this year's Gem Awards were marked by a number of close races. Retailers were able to cast their votes with ballots issued in their February Previews Order Form and via the Initial Order Entry feature of Diamond Online's Retailer Services Area.

This year's winners include:

Comic Publisher of the Year (2002)

Over 5% Market Share
Marvel Comics

Under 5% Market Share
CG Entertainment

New Publisher of the Year (2002)
DreamWave Productions

Star System Publisher/Manufacturer of the Year (2002)
DC Comics

Sports Card Manufacturer of the Year (2002)
The Upper Deck Company

Non-Sports Card Manufacturer of the Year (2002)
Inkworks

Game Manufacturer of the Year (2002)
WizKids, LLC

Toy Manufacturer of the Year (2002)
DC Direct/DC Comics

Video Manufacturer of the Year (2002)
Warner Home Video

Best Comic Book of the Year (2002)

Under $3.00
Batman #608 (DC Comics)

Over $3.00
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Volume II #1 (America's Best Comics/DC Comics)

Magazine of the Year (2002)
Wizard: The Comics Magazine (Wizard Entertainment)

Original Graphic Novel of the Year (2002)
JLA/JSA: Virtue & Vice HC (DC Comics)

Reprint Trade Paperback/Hardcover of the Year (2002)
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Book One TP (America's Best Comics/DC Comics)

Sports Card Product of the Year (2002)
Topps 2002 Bowman Chrome MLB Trading Cards Box (Topps)

Non-Sport Card Product of the Year (2002)
Topps Spider-Man Movie Trading Cards Box (Topps)

Game Product of the Year (2002)
Marvel HeroClix: Clobberin' Time Booster Box (WizKids, LLC)

Trade Book of the Year (2002)
The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide Volume 32 (Gemstone Publishing/Overstreet)

Toy Product of the Year (2002)
Marvel Legends Series 2 (Toy Biz)

Collectible Statue of the Year (2002)
Justice League Animated Batman Maquette (DC Direct/DC Comics)

Video/DVD of the Year (2002)
Justice League Animated Series Premier DVD (Warner Home Video)