March 2005 - This month, Diamond announces the winners of its retailer-selected 15th Annual Diamond Gem Awards!

"While all of Diamond's suppliers and their products are important facets of the overall comics specialty market," explained Diamond President & CEO Steve Geppi, "the Gems offer our customers the chance to honor those that have been especially beneficial in helping their businesses prosper during the past year. They are the cr�me de le cr�me of what our industry has to offer."

Gem Award nominees were selected by a panel of Diamond product specialists on the basis of their overall impact on the industry, while comics and other related merchandise were chosen on the merits of their quality, creativity, and sales performance in 2004. Retailers were able to cast their votes with ballots contained with their February Previews Order Forms, Previews on Disk, Previews on Windows, and Previews Fax Order Forms, as well as via Diamond Online's Retailer Services Area.

This year's winners are:

Comic Book Publisher of the Year
Over 5% Market Share
DC Comics

Under 5% Market Share
IDW Publishing

New Publisher of the Year
Burlyman Productions

Star System Vendor of the Year
DC Comics

Sports Card Vendor of the Year
Topps Company

Non-Sports Card Vendor of the Year
Inkworks

Game Vendor of the Year
WizKids LLC

Toy Vendor of the Year
DC Direct

Video Vendor of the Year
Warner Home Video

Best Comic Book of the Year
Under $3.00
Astonishing X-Men #1 (Marvel Comics)

Over $3.00
Identity Crisis #1 (DC Comics)

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

Original Graphic Novel of the Year
Superman Red Son TP (DC Comics)

Reprint Trade Paperback or Graphic Novel of the Year
Batman Hush Volume 1 TP (DC Comics)

Sports Card Product of the Year
Upper Deck 2004 NFL T/C Box (Upper Deck Company)

Non-Sports Card Product of the Year
BTVS Women of Sunnydale Cards (Inkworks)

Game Product of the Year
Marvel HeroClix Ultimates Booster Packs (WizKids LLC)

Trade Book of the Year
DC Comics Encyclopedia (DK Publishing)

Toy Product of the Year
Batman Hush Batman Action Figure (DC Direct)

Collectible Statue of the Year
Superman Statue (DC Comics)

Video/DVD of the Year
Star Wars Trilogy Widescreen DVD Boxed Set (Fox Home Entertainment)

Toy Line of the Year
Batman Hush Action Figures (DC Direct)

Mini Bust of the Year
DC Batman Mini Bust (DC Direct)

Manga TP of the Year
Samurai Executioner Volume 1 TP (Dark Horse Comics)