Diamond Comic Distributors announced this week that it plans on suspending new orders of comic book shipments to its warehouse, in response to city shutdowns caused by coronavirus (COVID-19). As the comic book direct market's largest distributor, Diamond fulfills orders on from publishers such as Marvel, DC, Image, Dark Horse, Dynamite, BOOM! Studios and many others. This means that beginning in April, readers won't have new physical copies of their favorite comics to read on a weekly basis.
Many creators in the comic book community have reacted to the news, urging fans to help their local comic shops anyway they can.
Writer Marv Wolfman (Crisis on Infinite Earths, The New Teen Titans) encouraged readers to "help your local comic shop by buying graphic novels and collected editions." Wolfman also added, "Order them, pay by credit card so the store owner gets paid now, then pick them up once this is over."
Scott Snyder (Dark Nights: Metal, Dark Nights: Death Metal) also has a positive outlook on the state of the business. "Comics will make it through this," he said. "Things might change, but our collective passion for this art form, this industry, this community will carry us through to the other side together. Comics forever."
Responding to a question from a fan, Donny Cates (Venom, Thor) said, "Comics is not cancelled. Comics will still be made. You will still read comics. Things may change. They always do. Always have. And we’ve always been here. Ever onward. Excelsior."
Brian Michael Bendis (Action Comics, Superman) echoed the sentiment that comics aren't going away. "Certainly more important things going on but 4 those who deeply care, comics are NOT cancelled," Bendis said. "They're being made safe. right now. when they return they will be awesome! #stayhomeandreadcomics I'm a little older than some & remember situations like this & we got right back to it."
Tom King (Mister Miracle, Strange Adventures) looked back to pioneers like Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, who never gave up during some of comics' lowest moments. "I’m reminded of comics’ lowest moment in the mid 50s, after the Senate investigation, when we lost so much," he said. "I’m reminded of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby who came out of it, and didn’t give up, and said 'fuck it, let’s try something cool, aim for new heights, what have we got to lose?'"
Kelly Thompson (Deadpool, Captain Marvel) shared a thread listing comic shops around the world that are offering mail subscription services.
For more information on COVID-19, along with basic protective measures such as social distancing, please visit the World Health Organization website.