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59-713: During the September 2006 Diamond Retailer Summit in Baltimore, MD, Marvel Comics announced that they would partner with Dabel Brothers Productions, allowing their titles to receive more notice. This agreement fell through with an amicable split, with Marvel retaining the Brothers' rights, as they will go on to publish Dean Koontz's Frankenstein retelling series and others. Dabel Brothers Productions later offered titles to bookstores through an arrangement with Del Rey , and are currently partnered with Dynamite Entertainment . The company

118-493: A 2009 Hugo Award. In 2008, they were under contract to produce the 2009 calendar for the Song of Ice and Fire series, also by George R.R. Martin. However, due to production delays with the calendar's painter and shipping problems that arose many people who had preordered in 2008 did not receive their 2009 calendars in the timeliest of manners. Martin spoke candidly of the incident on his blog and he subsequently terminated his contract for

177-480: A Chance Diamond Comic Distributors Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. (often called Diamond Comics , DCD , or casually Diamond ), is an American comic book distributor serving retailers in North America and worldwide. It transports comic books and graphic novels, as well as other popular culture products such as toys, games, and apparel, from comic book publishers or suppliers to retailers . It

236-406: A bigger discount." One of the "last loyal customers" when New Media began having fiscal difficulties, Geppi made a deal: "[t]he owner was going into retail," so Geppi agreed to provide New Media/Irjax with "free books for a period of time in return for his account list," buying parts of the company, and founding Diamond Comic Distribution. Geppi had been a sub-distributor for Hal Shuster's Irjax in

295-539: A contract dispute between Roaring Studios and Devil's Due. The split resulted in only one of two issues of The Wood Boy being published. Around the same time the Dabel Brothers lost the right to Dragonlance: Legend of Huma after only five issues were published due to issues with themselves and Hasbro . Devil's Due later acquired the license from Hasbro which included all the Dragonlance properties. They then packaged

354-446: A dangerous situation... We are not censors . We no more want someone deciding for us than you do. We cannot, however, stand by and watch the marketplace become a dumping ground for every sort of graphic fantasy that someone wants to live out. We have an industry to protect; we have leases to abide by; we have a community image to maintain." This call for retailers to refuse to stock Miracleman led to accusations of censorship, charges

413-487: A monthly catalog/magazine showcasing upcoming comic books, graphic novels, toys, and other pop-culture merchandise. In 1982, Baltimore-based comics retailer Steve Geppi founded Diamond Comic Distributors. Diamond became the successor to direct-sales pioneer Phil Seuling 's distribution dream when it took over New Media/Irjax 's warehouses in 1982. Diamond further bought out early distributor Bud Plant Inc. in 1988, and main rival Capital City Distribution in 1996, to assume

472-405: A near-monopoly on comics distribution, including exclusivity deals with the major comic book publishers . By 1981/82 Geppi had four comics retail locations and was already "doing a little informal distributing... for smaller retailers." Geppi found himself "one of the biggest accounts" for New Media/Irjax, and when the distributor "relocated to Florida, he asked Geppi to service more accounts for

531-715: A point-of-sale (POS) system specifically geared towards their unique business model, offering a host of exclusive features that grant you direct communication with Diamond databases, making it easier than ever before to place orders, track inventory and maintain “pull-and-hold” subscriptions for your customers." In 1995, Geppi founded Diamond International Galleries, which acquired Hake's Americana & Collectibles auction house (2004), and in 2005, Pennsylvania-based Morphy Auctions. In 1999, Geppi founded Diamond Select Toys, and in 2006 he founded Geppi's Entertainment Museum in Baltimore. Geppi reorganized its holdings into Geppi Family Enterprises in 2015. Alliance Game Distributors

590-469: A prequel to the A Song of Ice and Fire series. When The Hedge Knight was first released in August 2003 it received positive reception and success in sales. During the six issue run, the studio ended their partnership with the original publisher of the series, Image Comics , and the series switched to Devil's Due for the remainder of its run. The Hedge Knight graphic novel collection went on to become one of

649-531: A regular basis. Comics publishers vie for space within the publication's pages, with Dark Horse, DC Comics, Image Comics, and IDW Publishing taking precedence as "Premier" publishers. Marvel Comics has its own mini-catalog of Marvel Previews available separately, for contractual reasons. Geppi is also owner of Gemstone Publishing Inc. , through which he publishes The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide . Gemstone has also published Russ Cochran 's EC Comics reprints, Disney comics and Blue Book price guide in

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708-521: A retailer in Baltimore to having warehouses all over the place." Geppi named his new company 'Diamond' "after the imprint Marvel Comics used on non-returnable comics," and although the "publisher discontinued the symbol" months later, the name remained. "Diamond grew an average of 40 percent a year," as comics retail took off. In 1983, Diamond hired an accounting firm, and in 1985 hired "no-nonsense CPA" Chuck Parker "as Diamond's first controller". In 1994, Diamond employee Mark Herr noted that this move

767-606: A wholesaler rather than a distributor in the US and the UK. In 1983, Diamond was criticized for taking exception to certain "adult"-themed titles and scenes, effectively causing the cancellation of a series called Void Indigo for its excessive violence. In 1987, Geppi responded to "a graphic childbirth scene in Miracleman #9 [written by Alan Moore ]." Geppi wrote to retailers that: "Diamond values its retailers too much to take chances on such

826-409: A year later faced the choice between bankruptcy and selling out. Diamond bought Capital City on July 26, 1996, assuming near-control of the comics distribution system. The purchase price was not disclosed, but the acquisition brought an estimated $ 50 million in sales revenue to Diamond. In early 1997, when Marvel's Heroes World endeavor failed, Diamond also forged an exclusive deal with Marvel after

885-422: Is North America's largest distributor of tabletop games - role-playing games , collectible card games , miniature wargames , board games , and related merchandise - and the publisher of Game Trade Magazine . Alliance was acquired by Diamond in August 2000, two years after being formed by the merger of game distributors Chessex and The Armory . Envisioned to create collectibles for children and adults, DST

944-482: Is a Diamond-affiliated company started by Gerber in 1977 which sells Mylar bags as well as "acid-free boxes and acid-free backing boards" for comics collectors to store their collection in. In 1993, Geppi bought Russ Cochran Publishing. Long-term EC Comics fan Cochran auctioned Bill Gaines ' personal file copies of EC publications, as well as most pages of original EC artwork (which, almost uniquely, Gaines had maintained ownership and possession of), before being granted

1003-563: Is an imprint of the Random House Group, a division of Penguin Random House . The imprint was established in 1977 under the editorship of Judy-Lynn del Rey and her husband, author Lester del Rey . Today, the imprint specializes in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and fantasy romance. The first new novel published by Del Rey was The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks in 1977. Del Rey formerly published Star Wars novels under

1062-452: Is owned by Geppi Family Enterprises , which is also the parent company of Alliance Game Distributors , Diamond Book Distributors, Diamond UK, Diamond Select Toys , Gemstone Publishing , E. Gerber Products, Diamond International Galleries, Hake's Americana & Collectibles, Morphy's Auctions, the Geppi's Entertainment Museum , and Baltimore magazine. Diamond is the publisher of Previews ,

1121-519: Is the same price they were when last produced, in 1998." Other titles followed, and Gemstone held their license until early 2009. The (Official) Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, first published by Robert M. Overstreet in 1970 as one of the earliest authorities on American comic book industry grading and collection values. Overstreet sold his company to Gemstone in 1994, but continued to "serve as author and/or publisher of Geppi's Entertainment Publishing & Auctions' line of books." Publication of

1180-587: The Price Guide was taken over by Gemstone in 1998, Gemstone took over publication, and the twenty-eighth edition to the present have been (co-)published by Geppi's Gemstone publications. The Guide' s 39th edition was published by Gemstone Publishing in 2009. Overstreet also produced a variety of smaller publications updating his yearly guides on a monthly schedule. The most recent of these – Overstreet's Comic Price Review – began publication from Gemstone in July 2003, and

1239-549: The direct market in the United Kingdom. In 1994, Diamond acquired Staten Island-based distributor Comics Unlimited . By this point, Diamond had "27 warehouses in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., employ[ing] between 750 and 900 people;" operated its own trucking line; and controlled 45% of the market, making $ 222 million in sales. In 1996, Diamond launched the toll-free Comic Shop Locator service. In 1995, Marvel Comics challenged Diamond and main rival Capital City by buying

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1298-400: The direct-sales market ." (Diamond and Capital City Distribution had control of at least 70% between them.) In 1990, Diamond acquired Oregon-based Second Genesis Distribution (whose operations folded in 1991). Second Genesis had previously absorbed distributors Sunrise Distributors and Comex. One week after announcing the acquisition of Second Genesis, Diamond announced the acquisition of

1357-827: The publisher of record for all Dabel Brothers titles. The first of the Dynamite/Dabel Books was released in April 2010. George R. R. Martin 's The Hedge Knight Dragonlance : The Legend of Huma Robert Silverberg 's The Seventh Shrine Raymond E. Feist 's The Wood Boy Tad Williams 's The Burning Man Robert Jordan 's The Wheel of Time: New Spring Orson Scott Card 's Red Prophet: The Tales Of Alvin Maker Raymond E. Feist 's Magician Laurell K. Hamilton 's Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter in Guilty Pleasures Monte Cook 's Ptolus: City By

1416-528: The Cochran/Gladstone-reprints of The Haunt of Fear , The Vault of Horror and Weird Science (all 1992). Gemstone also republished (in single issue and 'annual' — four issues per 'annual' — format) EC's New Trend and New Direction titles (with the exception of Mad ) between 1992 and 2000. In 2005, Gemstone added to Cochran's earlier-published oversize, hardback, black & white slip-cased "The Complete EC Library" collections with

1475-517: The EC Comics titles. Designed by art director/designer Michael Kronenberg , a number of volumes have been released, with the entirety of the New Trend and New Direction planned for eventual release. These EC Archives volumes have drawn praise for their quality, and feature introductions by such notable EC fans as George Lucas , Steven Spielberg , Joe Dante and Paul Levitz . In December 2002, it

1534-1084: The North American comic book direct market distribution, they did not enjoy a monopoly on book distribution (books including non-comic books). In addition to having cornered the American comics distribution market, Diamond includes a number of subsidiary and affiliated companies. UK and European comics distribution is served by Diamond UK, based in Runcorn, England. On August 31, 2000, Diamond Comic Distributors acquired Alliance Game Distributors , North America's largest distributor of tabletop games. In 2002, Diamond consolidated its book trade into Diamond Book Distributors, marketing graphic novels and trade paperbacks to bookstores including Barnes & Noble , Ingram , Baker & Taylor , Amazon.com and Borders . On March 23, 2020, Geppi announced that Diamond would stop sending comics to retail shops until further notice and had instructed printers not to send any new shipments to

1593-572: The Seattle-based sub-distributor Destiny Distribution . Destiny had been started by Phil Pankow in the early 1980s, and was initially supplied by Bud Plant . In 1991, Diamond moved into the UK market, acquiring Neptune Comic Distributors Ltd. (to whom they had formerly supplied US comics for the UK market), in the process creating Diamond UK . In 1993, Diamond acquired the single remaining dominant British distributor Titan Distributors , thus cornering

1652-619: The Spire Orson Scott Card 's Wyrms XIII Michael Lent 's Prey: Origin of the Species R.A. Salvatore 's The Highwayman Jim Butcher 's The Dresden Files George R. R. Martin 's Wild Cards : The Hard Call Robert Jordan 's The Wheel of Time (books 1-12) Prey: Origin of the Species Legacy: Shards of a Broken Kingdom Marshal Half Dead Minus World Age of Darkness Take

1711-598: The best-selling graphic novels of 2004. Following their success with The Hedge Knight the Dabel Brothers began acquiring more literary fantasy licenses. After contacting other authors that featured in the Legends anthology they received deals from three of these authors: Robert Silverberg, Raymond E. Feist and Tad Williams . They began production on Silverberg's The Seventh Shrine , Feist's The Wood Boy , and William's The Burning Man . These three productions were originally to be published by Devil's Due but were canceled due to

1770-590: The calendars. Dabel Brothers and George R.R. Martin continue to work on the Wildcards: Hard Call series whose final issue and graphic novel was released by Dynamite Entertainment in 2010. A December 2009, announcement revealed that Dynamite Entertainment would be entering into a publishing deal with Dabel Brothers Publishing (for an unknown number of years), where they would be taking over the production of Dabel Brothers titles. Dynamite Entertainment has subsequently taken over production and payments and has become

1829-453: The companies went through a public break. During this time the Dabel Brothers were working in conjunction with Red Eagle Entertainment to produce issues of Robert Jordan 's New Spring . However, after five issues the parties came into disagreement with the Dabel Brothers alleging that Red Eagle failed to make payments for production and Red Eagle alleging that the Dabels were unable to complete

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1888-451: The company become the subject of "an investigation by the U.S. Justice department for possible antitrust violations." The Justice Department launched an antitrust investigation into the comics industry and the alleged monopoly of Diamond Comics. The investigation was closed in November 2000, with no further action deemed necessary on the basis that, although Diamond enjoyed a monopoly in

1947-466: The company joined DC Comics in 1993 to raise money for the industry's First Amendment advocacy group Comic Book Legal Defense Fund . Because of its industry dominance, Diamond also faced charges it bullied publishers and discriminated against small publishers. These charges first surfaced in 1988 when Diamond rejected Matt Feazell 's comic Ant Boy , and in 1989 when it similarly decided not to carry Allen Freeman 's Slam Bang anthology. After

2006-471: The company was forced to address when it criticized or refused to carry other titles, including books by Kitchen Sink Press, and Dave Sim in 1988, Jon Lewis in 1994, and Mike Diana in 1996. Diamond lost customers with this approach, however, "and eventually backed down." Geppi recalls compromising, and accepting "that as a distributor, I owed the retailers the product they wanted." In fact, in an attempt to prove Diamond did not practice censorship,

2065-792: The company, due to the COVID-19 pandemic . Issues of comics with United States release dates of April 1 or later, and with United Kingdom release dates of March 25 or later, would not be shipped until normal operations resumed. The shutdown took effect on April 1, 2020, and ended on May 20. On June 5, 2020, DC Comics announced that they would discontinue their distribution agreement with Diamond and that their books would now be distributed by Penguin Random House for their graphic novels and by UCS Comic Distributors (subsidiary of Midtown Comics ) and Lunar Distribution (subsidiary of Discount Comic Book Service in Fort Wayne , Indiana ). While acknowledging how huge

2124-662: The complete Picto-Fiction collection, comprising the EC comics: Confessions Illustrated , Crime Illustrated , Shock Illustrated and Terror Illustrated , along with "18 previously unseen stories, never published before". In 2006, Gemstone began producing a more durable and luxurious series of hardback reprint collections; the EC Archives — similar to the DC Archives and Marvel Masterworks volumes — which reprint in full-color hardback ('archival') format sequential compilations of

2183-483: The decision was, DC reiterated that the move was intended to fortify and increase the viability of the comic book direct market while also widening its fan base. On March 25, 2021, Marvel Comics announced they plan to shift their direct market distribution, for both monthly comics and graphic novels, to Penguin Random House. The change is scheduled to start on October 1, 2021, in a multi-year partnership. Unlike DC Comics' complete split, Marvel will still be giving stores

2242-606: The demise of smaller distributors. In 1988, Previews , Diamond's monthly magazine showcasing upcoming comic books was first published. Most notably, in 1988, Geppi bought up early mail-order distributor Bud Plant Inc., who had himself bought out Charles Abar Distribution in 1982. Plant had, since 1970, been selling underground comics (a field which Geppi and fellow distributor Buddy Saunders had tended to steer clear of). After making $ 19m in sales in 1987, Diamond bought West Coast distributor Plant's business in 1988 "and went national" thereby assuming control of "40 percent of

2301-523: The distribution of their graphic novels to the bookstore trade. This partnership has led to The Dresden Files: Storm Front Vol. 1 and Mercy Thompson: Homecoming titles to make the New York Times Bestsellers list. Mercy Thompson: Homecoming spent nine weeks on the New York Times Bestsellers list. The Dresden Files original graphic novel The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle was nominated for

2360-463: The editorial side of Dabel Brothers Productions while Marvel handled the marketing and publishing. In August 2007, Marvel and Dabel Brothers Production mutually agreed to part ways, with Marvel retaining the rights to the series that were in production so they could be finished to the authors' happiness. In November 2007, Dabel Brothers signed a deal with the Del Rey imprint of Ballantine Books to handle

2419-521: The final issues of the Huma mini-series, but the remainder of the book remains unadapted. Roaring Studios was renamed to Dabel Brothers Productions . After their departure from Devil's Due, they aligned with Alias Enterprises to publish XIII . Alias' head creative director is Mike S. Miller who had been partnered with the Dabel Brothers prior to Alias' existence, dating back to the companies series of The Hedge Knight . The partnership later came to an end and

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2478-470: The form of Minimates , which has helped make Minimates one of the most prolific and diverse block figure toy lines in the world. In 2007, after years of partnership, Diamond Select Toys made a move to acquire select assets of New York-based design house Art Asylum, the creators of Minimates and DST has since developed Minimates based on its own concepts, under the brands Minimates M.A.X. and Calico Jack's Pirate Raiders. Del Rey Books Del Rey Books

2537-539: The future of Gemstone Publishing was unclear, after reports of unpaid printing bills, particularly from the EC Archives. In April, Geppi responded to the uncertainty, noting that while there had been "a reduction in staff at Gemstone," such moves did "not signal the end of Gemstone Publishing." In 2008, Diamond introduced ComicSuite, an add-on application for Microsoft Dynamics’ Retail Management System (RMS) software. Together, ComicSuite & RMS give specialty storeowners

2596-444: The history of the comics medium. Many Gemstone publications revolve around Comic Book Marketplace -editor and EC-shepherd Russ Cochran. Cochran, like Geppi, was a particular fan of Carl Barks ' Disney comics, and had previously-published EC reprints in association with Disney-reprinter Gladstone Publishing . In the early 1990s, Geppi's Gemstone embarked on a full series of reprints of classic EC titles, starting with new reprints of

2655-509: The industry consolidation of 1996, Diamond faced similar charges in 1996, 1999, and 2000 (when smaller publishers like Fantagraphics and Drawn & Quarterly lodged complaints). Diamond's monthly comics retail catalog, Previews , has been produced by Diamond for over 25 years for store owners and comic shop customers to order their products. It is additionally available for sale to customers to facilitate pre-orders from "pull and hold" or subscription customers who frequent comic shops on

2714-418: The late 1970s. In what Mile High Comics ' Chuck Rozanski describes as an "incredibly risky and gutsy move," Geppi took over New Media/Irjax's "office and warehouse space" and, recalled Rozanski, had to "sort out the good customers from the bad overnight" negotiating with creditors to continue Shuster's distribution business as Diamond Comic Distribution. Almost overnight, noted Rozanski, "[h]e went from being

2773-533: The option to order comics from Diamond, but Diamond will be acting as a wholesaler rather than distributor. On September 17, 2021, IDW Publishing announced a new deal with Penguin Random House to distribute newly published and backlist comic book periodicals, trade collections, and graphic novels to the Direct Market comic shops beginning June 1, 2022. The deal is non-exclusive, allowing retailers to choose ordering from Penguin Random House directly or from Diamond as

2832-494: The past as well. In 1994, Geppi purchased Baltimore magazine, "a 50,000-circulation monthly and one of the nation's oldest regional publications." Geppi's publishing ventures in the comics field saw him create Gemstone Publishing Inc., which was formed in large part from other purchases. In 1992, Diamond bought Ernst Gerber Publishing (publisher-author of the Photo-Journal Guide to Comics ). E. Gerber Products, LLC

2891-590: The publisher's filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December 1996. — giving the company its own section of comics catalog Previews (not least because the DC/Dark Horse/Image deal gave contractual prominence to those companies) — making "Geppi... the sole king of comics industry distribution in the summer of 1996." In 1997, Diamond's position in the comics industry, as "the sole source of most new comics products to comics specialty shops," ultimately saw

2950-644: The reprint rights to the EC back catalog itself. Geppi included Cochran's publications — and Cochran himself — under his new imprint, Gemstone Publishing. In 1994, Geppi bought Overstreet Publishing, taking up the publishing reins of official-Blue Book price guide The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide , and other related publications, bringing them under the Gemstone imprint. Geppi's publishing activities with Gemstone Publishing consist primarily of reprints of classic titles and artworks, as well as publications (including professional fanzines "pro-zines") focusing heavily on

3009-451: The series in a timely fashion. The issue went into arbitration in court with the Dabel Brothers keeping the rights to the Wheel of Time series. In 2006, they increased production to seven separate monthly titles with plans to add to the line up in the future. Four months into publication the Dabels suspended publication due to negotiation with Marvel Comics which resulted in a partnership between

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3068-413: The smart ones or pick... up the pieces after the stupid ones went out of business," according to Herr. Diamond was aided in his efforts by the publishers themselves. In the early 1980s, Marvel and DC Comics provided trade terms favorable for larger distributors and those with efficient freight systems, effectively "play[ing] into the hands of the major distributors such as Capital and Diamond," and hastening

3127-436: The third largest distributor — Heroes World Distribution — and distributing its titles in-house after taking over from Curtis Circulation . On April 26, 1995, Diamond reacted by outbidding Capital City for exclusive deals with Marvel's main rivals DC Comics , Dark Horse and Image on July 24, and Valiant Comics in August. Capital City's response saw it sign exclusive deals with Kitchen Sink Press and Viz Comics , but

3186-514: The two companies. As their deal was being finalized with Marvel, the Dabel Brothers continued to negotiate with other authors to bring their works to comics. Dabel Brothers Production increased production from four to six books per month in addition to trade paperback and hardcover collections of their adaptions under their alliance with Marvel. The imprint continued to focus on licensed adaptations of works by science fiction and fantasy authors along with their original material. The Dabel brothers handled

3245-596: Was Geppi's "best decision", as Parker "cares nothing about the comics. To him, it's dollars and cents." Parker describes his role as "smooth[ing] the emotion out of some decisions. Steve [Geppi] is a visionary and a risk-taker... and I tend to be more conservative." After starting his business through buying New Media/Irjax's warehouses and offices in 1982, Geppi's distribution company has bought out many other distribution companies since. Many fans "with little experience" started rival distribution companies only to "find they were in over their heads," allowing Geppi to "[buy] out

3304-476: Was a monthly publication designed to update the yearly price guide more regularly, as well as provide articles, analysis and various lists of comics prices. Gemstone published more than a hundred issues of the magazine Comic Book Marketplace , a monthly magazine for comics fans focusing heavily on the Golden and Silver ages, while more popular magazines (such as Wizard ) skew more recent in focus. In early 2009,

3363-525: Was announced that "Gemstone Publishing had signed the license to publishing Disney comics in North America," with ex-Gladstone Publishing editor-in-chief John Clark joining Gemstone in the same position over its Disney line. Launched with a title for Free Comic Book Day 2003, the line started soon after with Walt Disney's Comics and Stories and Walt Disney's Uncle Scrooge , both described by Clark as "monthly 64-page prestige-format books at $ 6.95, which

3422-583: Was founded in 1999 and has since licensed a variety of pop culture properties, including Marvel Comics, Transformers , G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero , Star Wars , Star Trek , Stargate , Ghostbusters , Halo , Buffy the Vampire Slayer , Indiana Jones , Battlestar Galactica , 24 and Back to the Future . While they also make action figures in a variety of sizes, as well as banks, busts, statues and prop replicas, many of their licensed properties are released in

3481-686: Was founded in 2000 by the four brothers: Ernst, Les, Pascal, and David Dabel as Roaring Studios . Ernst and Les were both comic book creators with an interest in the fantasy genre . During their first year, the brothers produced several small original comic books. After their first two original titles, The Rift and Waterdogs , received poor reception in the comics market, they looked to adapt George R. R. Martin 's fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire . However Martin suggested they first adapt his novella that appeared in Robert Silverberg 's Legends anthology, The Hedge Knight , which served as

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