Previews, a monthly catalog published by Diamond Comics Distributors that is used by retailers to order comics and merchandise in the comics shop market, is marking its 25th anniversary and publishing its 300th issue. First published in 1988, the monthly catalog is a critical ordering tool in the comics specialty market and presents comics, graphic novels and other pop culture merchandise that will be available in about three months.

When it was founded 25 years ago, Previews was about 50 pages with titles from a few publishers. The mammoth catalog is now in full-color and over 500 pages, offers titles from scores of publishers and it can also be purchased on newstands each month for about $5. The giant paperback catalog showcases thousands of comics and graphic novels each month (in addition to all manner of merchandise from t-shirts to action figures) that retailers can order.

Previews is the primary ordering tool for retailers in the direct market, a retail network of about 2000 comics shops serviced by Diamond Comics Distributors that generally buys comics and graphic novels nonreturnable at wholesale. The catalog is divided into separate sections for different kinds of pop culture materials and there are also editorial features highlighting new releases by publishers. Now on sale, the September issue (#300) showcases new titles that will be available in November.

Previews editor Marty Grosser said, “It has been my extreme pleasure and a distinct honor to be a part of Previews for over 25 years, and I'm proud to say that I've been with it since the beginning," said “I've seen it grow and evolve from its humble beginnings in 1988, and I can't wait to see where the future will take us.”