It’s been just over a month since Diamond Comic Distributors announced a complete halt to all comic book shipments due to COVID-19, and it sounds like we’ll have to wait about three more weeks for distribution to start up again.
According to comic book store owner Ryan Higgins, Diamond sent an email yesterday (on National Superhero Day, which feels fitting) to comic publishers and sellers. This update finally included a planned on-sale date for new titles: May 20.
The email also notes that “the pace and process of reopening stores will be different throughout the country,” but this is an important first step toward the return of new comic book titles.
Diamond has not made a public statement about its return to operations at this time, but the company did release its monthly comic book sales data yesterday for March. All but one statistic showed a sales decline in dollars, presumably due to comic book stores shutting their doors in mid-March as stay-at-home orders rolled out nationwide.
For now, fans looking to support their local comic book shop can donate to the Comicbook United Fund, which provides emergency financial support to comic book stores.
Photo: iStock
