While not as dramatic as the never-ending snowfall in the northeast of the United States, or as buzz-inducing as the fluctuating prices at the gas pump, the continuing issue of a labor dispute and resulting congestion at the Long Beach, CA ports has been causing no end of problems for American businesses. And next week, it hits the comic book market.
IDW Publishing has announced that its titles scheduled to arrive in stores on Feb. 18 will not be making anyone's pull list for the time being -- and the following weeks' titles may be affected as well. "Due to the ongoing problems at West coast ports, our normal shipping procedures have been completely interrupted, causing unpredictable delays," IDW's statement reads. "Regrettably, this has resulted in all our books planned for release on 2/18 to be delayed. We'velooked at every possible scenario to prevent this, but the situation is completely beyond ourcontrol. We are takingsteps to improve thisfor theimmediate future, but the books and products that arecurrently on the water cannot be re-directed. We will be updating our weekly releases and keeping you informed as the situation works toward a resolution. We understand this is not an ideal situation, and apologize for any inconvenience this causes, and look forward to things getting backto normal in ensuing weeks."
IDW has informed CBR News that all digital releases will be delayed as well, in order to maintain a synchronized schedule between the two formats.
CBR News reached out to Diamond Comic Distributors to find out if any other publishers have found themselves similarly affected by the port congestion.
"Diamond is monitoring the port situation closely, and we are working with our publishers and suppliers to make sure their products and merchandise move as quickly and effectively as possible to market," Diamond tells CBR News, noting that at this time, IDW is the only publisher experiencing delays due to the port congestion.
Additionally, Diamond assures CBR that due to the nature of the delay, no actions will be taken for any affected publishers or retailers as might normally relate to late shipping issues.
The following IDW titles were originally scheduled to go on sale February 18.
Airboy Archives Vol. 3
Citizen of the Galaxy #1
D4VE #1
D4VE #1 (Subscription Cover)
Diamond Island
Dragonlance Chronicles Vol. 1: Dragons of the Autumn Twilight
Edward Scissorhands #5
Edward Scissorhands #5 (Subscription Cover)
G.I. Joe #6
G.I. Joe #6 (Subscription Cover)
G.I. Joe Vol. 1: The Fall of G.I. Joe
Galaxy Quest: The Journey Continues #2
Galaxy Quest: The Journey Continues #2 (Subscription Cover)
Garbage Pail Kids: Love Stinks
Garbage Pail Kids: Love Stinks (10 Copy Cover)
Garbage Pail Kids: Love Stinks (Deluxe Edition)
Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #21
Godzilla: Rulers of Earth #21 (Subscription Cover)
Haunted Horror #15
Joe Frankenstein #1
Joe Frankenstein #1 (Subscription Cover)
John Byrne's Next Men Omnibus Vol. 1
Judge Dredd: Anderson - Psi-Division
Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland #4
Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland #4 (Subscription Cover)
Millennium #2
Millennium #2 (Subscription Cover)
Monster Motors: The Curse of Minivan Helsing #1
My Little Pony: Adventures in Friendship Vol. 2
My Little Pony: Friends Forever #14
My Little Pony: Friends Forever #14 (Subscription Cover)
My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic #28
My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic #28 (10 Copy Cover)
Parker: The Man With the Getaway Face
Powerpuff Girls: Super Smash-Up! #2
Powerpuff Girls: Super Smash-Up! #2 (Subscription Cover)
Shadow Show #4
Shadow Show #4 (Subscription Cover)
Silent Hill: Downpour - Anne's Story
Star Trek #42
Star Trek #42 (Subscription Cover)
Star Trek / Planet of the Apes #3
Star Trek / Planet of the Apes #3 (Subscription Cover)
Super Secret Crisis War! Vol. 2
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #43
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #43 (10 Copy Cover)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: New Animated Adventures #20
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: New Animated Adventures #20 (Subscription Cover)
The Best of EC: Artist's Edition Vol. 2
The Transformers #38 (10 Copy Cover)
The Transformers #38 (Subscription Cover)
The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #38 (Subscription Cover)
The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #38: Days of Deception
The Transformers: Primacy
The X-Files, Season 10 #21
The X-Files, Season 10 #21 (Subscription Cover)
The X-Files: Year Zero
Transformers Animated: The Complete Allspark Almanac
Winterworld Book 1: The Mechanic's Song
Zombies vs. Robots #2
Zombies vs. Robots #2 (Subscription Cover)