Following the shutdown of Diamond Comic Distributors due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the comic book industry has devised a temporary solution to get new books into the hands of readers.
According to Bleeding Cool (and corroborated by retailer Ryan Higgins of Comics Conspiracy in Sunnyvale, California), "Within the next two weeks, you'll be able to buy a physical comic from your LCS--anywhere on Earth--online. You'll be able to read a digital copy the minute you buy it. Your LCS will get a free physical copy to give to you later."
This temporary distribution method will be implemented via ComicHub, a point-of-sale system used by retailers that allows readers to purchase books from their local comic book shops online. The tool already lets publishers upload preview pages but now, they'll simply upload full digital copies of the books to give readers instant access. Then, once shipping resumes, they can redeem those digital copies for physical ones from their LCS.
As for the rollout, the new system is expected to begin on April 8 among the 100 existing ComicHub-partnered stores. This will expand to ComicsPRO stores the next day and by Wednesday, April 15, it should be in effect across the entire direct market.
CBR has reached out to Marvel, DC and other publishers for comment.