During these uncertain times the comic book industry is taking a major financial hit due to the shut down of stores across the globe. Last week Diamond Distributors confirmed it would also cease shipping of all products until such time as it is safe to begin normal business activities.
Diamond has been the sole distributor of comic books for DC Comics, Marvel and many more publishers for over two decades. The unprecedented shut down in business essentially puts a stop to all physical sales across the industry.
Over the weekend (and first reported by CBR), DC Comics has sent out an open letter to retailers detailing its temporary plans going forwards.
“To Direct Market Retailers:
First, the entire team here at DC hopes that you, your family and your employees are staying safe and healthy during this very tough and precarious time. We know that you have been waiting for DC to comment on the state-of-affairs and to address any measures we will take to help our community lighten the burden of the disruption to our business, and we’ve been working hard on a long-term, solution-focused plan. Here is how we will help:
Periodicals and books with in-store dates between March 18, 2020 and June 24, 2020 will be fully returnable. We’ll even provide credit for your separate return shipping of these items only.
Additionally, because we anticipate that continued disruption to business operations will create regional volatility, DC is exploring a multi-distributor model to provide us with the flexibility needed during this crisis to get new content to our readers on an ongoing basis. In the short-term, we continue to engage in active conversations with Diamond to help us solve the distribution issues that have arisen and hope to get new product to stores that want or need it as soon as possible. We will provide additional information about how we’ll make that happen in the coming days.
Thanks for your patience with us. DC will continue to monitor the situation, continue to speak with you directly, and continue to support you through the days ahead. You are the lifeblood of this industry.
All best,
The DC Team “
Additionally, DC has confirmed it will continue to publish digital comics each week and will continue to review the situation should the physical distribution of comic books continue to be an issue.
For now, at least, fans reading digital comics will still be able to get their fix of Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman but we’ll keep you updated as the situation develops.
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