Bill Schanes Acquires Bud Plant’s Business

GRASS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, January 28, 2026 /budsartbooks.com/ – Longtime comics industry icon Bill Schanes, who entered the comics field at the age of 13 selling at local Southern California comic shows, has concluded his bid to purchase the online mail order business, Bud’s Art Books, the long-serving purveyor of comic strip, comic book, fantasy, horror, and sci-fi illustrated books and graphic novels, originally launched by legendary retailer, distributor, publisher, collector and historian, Bud Plant.

The deal, which was officially completed on January 15, 2026, gives Schanes ownership and control of Bud’s Art Books (a.k.a. Bud Plant Comic Art), the online mail order business that sells new and rare books related to comic books, fantasy art, illustration, and related subjects. This is a purchase of the overall assets of Bud’s Art Books. 

Schanes and Plant began their storied careers in comics in the early ‘70s and the late ‘60s, respectively, each transitioning from retailer to publisher to distributor in Northern and Southern California. Over the years, their paths have intersected on both personal and business levels, with Plant purchasing the assets of Schanes’ Pacific Comics distribution company in 1985. Now, over 40 years later, Schanes has purchased Bud’s Art Books, completing a comic book industry loop worthy of a special issue.

Schanes is joined in this new endeavor by his business partner, Sasha Fera-Schanes. Fera-Schanes is the President and CEO of POP-KING, Inc., a longtime player in the comic book and pop culture industry. Both PopKing and Bud Plant will operate as separate business entities, but cooperation and mutual support between the companies are planned going forward.

Schanes, who retired in 2013 from his role as Vice President of Purchasing at Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc., where he had served since 1985, has spent the years since his exit from Diamond travelling the world and visiting comic, game, and collectibles stores wherever he found himself. He chronicled his travels via Facebook posts, visiting shops in over 160 countries and experiencing our world as few have ever done. In regard to his acquisition of Bud’s Art Books, Schanes stated, “After travelling around the world for over a decade, I returned to the United States and my children. I missed seeing them while I was away, and I also missed the industry. Acquiring Bud’s Art Books, a company with a long history of serving comics and fantasy art fans was, to me, the perfect way to get back into the business I love, while also providing a solid future for my family.” 

Plant, who announced in 2011 plans to sell his mail-order business and retire, continued the business when no potential buyers emerged after a year. Since then, Bud’s Art Books has continued to serve fans of comics and illustration with its curated catalog of new and rare books. When he was approached by Schanes about acquiring Bud’s Art Books, Plant knew he had found his buyer.

The deal was completed surprisingly quickly, as both parties shared a similar vision and mutual trust formed over 50 years of interaction and cooperation, on January 15, 2026. Following the sale, Plant will remain available onsite during the transition period in an advisory capacity as the new team (including Marty Grosser, most recently Diamond PREVIEWS Editor, and former Comics & Comix/Bud Plant staffer) familiarizes themselves with the Bud Plant business model. Schanes and his team officially take control of the operation as of February 1, 2026.

With the sale of his company completed, Plant reflected on his long history in the industry and the end of an era for him: “I’ve been privileged to share my passion for all things comics as well as illustration and art history… for an amazing run of 55 years. I’m so lucky to have had the support of wonderful customers as well as comic book creators, many of my good friends. I’ve loved picking catalog covers featuring my favorite artists, creating cool signed bookplates (thanks to all you artists and writers!!), and last but not least, helping deserving books get to people who appreciate them. As if that’s not enough, I’ve been told I’m being inducted into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame at Comic-Con this July. Life is good! I’m super pleased Bud Plant Comic Art will carry on with our present great staff and also new people like Marty Grosser and Bill Schanes to keep up the good work and add new dimensions to what I’ve achieved.”

In his new role as Owner and President of Bud’s Art Books, Schanes has long-range plans to expand the company’s reach into new online forums and to also expand the company’s already comprehensive pool of titles. “My vision for this company is comprehensive, and I have mapped out our future plans to take it into new markets, new audiences, and offering even more books and products than ever. The demand for comics and fantasy art has never been stronger, with comics currently in a strong period of sales. We will strive to be an important facet of that market, and look forward to serving their comic art needs.”