Dark Horse Comics is the latest publisher to offer relief to comic retailers during the worldwide coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The publisher's founder, Mike Richardson, released a statement on the official Dark Horse Twitter account outlining the company's plans.
According to Richardson's statement, Dark Horse plans to reduce its output of comics and graphic novels, as well as offering 90-day returns for its product on Final Order Cutoff. Dark Horse also plans to explore other options and will keep retailers informed of any changes.
"I've been in this business for a long time and witnessed our industry weather many storms," Richardson said in his statement. "This new threat takes us all into uncharted territory, but we will do our best to help you through it."
Dark Horse joins several other publishers in offering programs to help retailers who may be struggling due to store closures. Image Comics has offered returns on products and cut off all "unneccessary" products such as second printings and reprints; Marvel Comics is offering deep discounts on its products through July; and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is offering programs to help retailers during and after the pandemic.