"Our strategic focus is to create a closer relationship with our retailers, protect the equity of our brands and reinvest in our products. Through careful thought and analysis we have come to the conclusion that these goals are best achieved by using Diamond and Alliance as our distribution partner for the Core Hobby portion of our business," said WizKids CEO, Lax Chandra.

The agreement will better position WizKids to gain valuable customer feedback which will be used to improve product development, increase manufacturing efficiencies and create focused promotional and marketing efforts to increase sales in Core Hobby stores. "We firmly believe that working with Diamond and Alliance will work best to achieve our strategic goals and provide the best service for our retailers, our consumers and our business. We are excited by the opportunities that we hope to create in this new relationship."

"Diamond and Alliance are extremely excited to serve WizKids and the Hobby Game community in this capacity," said Steve Geppi, President and CEO of Diamond Comics. "We have devoted significant resources to support this effort and are confident in our ability to assist WizKids in reaching its goals as well as meet and exceed the needs of hobby retailers."

The agreement is effective immediately and will affect all future WizKids releases with the exception of HorrorClix: The Lab, Pirates of the Frozen North and DC HeroClix Origin. Former distributors who have placed pre-orders for these products have the option of receiving or canceling orders for these products under terms we have previously communicated to them.

Hobby retailers are urged to contact Diamond Comic Distributors or Alliance Game Distributors in order to receive uninterrupted WizKids product shipments. Retailers should call (800) 452-6642 ext. 215 or e-mail [email protected] to open an account with Diamond or (800-NOW-GAME ext. 1005 or e-mail [email protected] to open an account with Alliance if they currently do not have an active account with either Alliance or Diamond.

About WizKids
A wholly owned subsidiary of the Topps Company (TOPP), WizKids® is a Seattle-based game developer and publisher dedicated to creating tabletop games driven by imagination. Their HeroClix® and Pirates brands are among the most successful games on the market today with over one hundred million miniature game figures sold worldwide. For additional information, visit www.wizkidsgames.com.

About Diamond Comics Distributors
Diamond Comic Distributors (www.diamondcomics.com) is the world's largest distributor of English-language comic books and related pop-culture merchandise. The company was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Timonium, MD, with strategically located distribution centers serving over 4,000 specialty retailers worldwide.

About Alliance Game Distributors
Alliance Game Distributors is a recognized leader in Hobby Distribution, offering an exceptional range of products, services, and programs to adventure-hobby retailers throughout North America and the world. With 5 sales offices and 4 warehouses in the US, the company takes pride in providing the best service, finest selection, and best support in the industry. For additional information, visit www.alliance-games.com.