This month, Diamond announces the winners of its retailer-selected, 18th annual Diamond Gem Awards!

"Embodying the very best of what the comic industry has to offer, the Gems offer Diamond customers a fantastic opportunity to honor suppliers and products that helped businesses grow over the past year,” said Diamond President and CEO Steve Geppi. "We congratulate the 2007 Gem Award winners, which represent the best the specialty market has to offer."

Gem Award nominees were selected by a panel of Diamond product specialists based on sales and 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 2007.

In a significant improvement over Gem balloting in previous years, all voting for the Gem Awards was offered to retailers this year in a convenient online format via Diamond Online's Retailer Services Area.

Gem Winners included DC Comics, which was awarded Comic Book Publisher of the Year -- Over 5% Market Share; Dark Horse Comics' Buffy the Vampire Slayer #1, which won Best Comic Book of the Year -- Under $3.00; Marvel Comics' Captain America #25, named Best Comic of the Year -- Over $3.00; Viz Media's Naruto TP Volume 14, which won Manga TP of the Year; Red 5 Comics, awarded New Publisher of the Year; Inkworks, which scored Non--Sports Card Manufacturer of the Year; and WizKids, Inc., voted Game Manufacturer of the Year.

Comic Book of the Year Under $3.00
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #1 (Dark Horse)

Licensed Comic of the Year
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #1 (Dark Horse)