Barnes & Noble Boots Some Graphic Novels
In a move that underscores the increasing tensions between book publishers and retailers over exclusive content arrangements, Barnes & Noble Inc. is removing from its consumer and college bookstores 100 graphic novels published by Time Warner Inc.’s DC Entertainment unit.
The move follows the Sept. 29 disclosure by DC Entertainment that it struck an exclusive agreement with Amazon.com Inc. to make the titles available for Amazon’s upcoming Kindle Fire tablet, expected to ship Nov. 15. The books include “Watchmen,” “Batman: Arkham City” and “Superman: Earth One.”
Barnes & Noble, which later this month is expected to introduce a new Nook tablet, said it made the decision to remove the titles from its consumer stores on Thursday. Barnes & Noble has previously stated that it expects to be able to sell all formats of all titles that it stocks. The company said it hasn’t take such an action in the past.
