CBR has learned that Marvel Comics will not release any new comic book titles digitally on April 29. The publisher has chosen not to release new comics digitally following Diamond Comic Distributors halted the shipment of new comics due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Marvel Entertainment President Dan Buckley released a statement the week of April 1 outlining the publisher's plans to not release any comics digitally. "As you know, unfortunately there will not be any new print titles available at your shops this week. Marvel will also not be releasing any new comic book titles digitally on April 1," the statement read. "This is a fluid situation with details changing every day, so we appreciate your patience and understanding as we all navigate our way through this. As soon as more information is available, we will outline our longer-term plans and opportunities to support you and the industry."
With no physical comics being shipped or sold for the foreseeable future, publishers have decided on an individual basis whether or not to release digital comics, with a majority of the bigger publishers deciding to forego their releases for the month of April.
Diamond Comic Distributors CEO Steve Geppi released a statement in March on COVID-19's disruption of the comic book market, promising to "work with our publishing partners to develop programs that will address product already in the pipeline and what will happen when we resume distribution." That promise appears to have been followed up on, as Diamond announced April 17 that it was planning to resume shipments in mid-to-late-May, which could lead Marvel and other publishers to also resume with their publishing plans.
Many comic book creators and publishers have started fundraising efforts to help collaborators and retailers, with Jim Lee launching a charity sketch auction, and the launch of the Comic Book United Fund by DC and Oni/Lion Forge.