Sunday, March 22, 2020

Coronavirus vs. the Comics Industry


    As the Coronavirus disrupts life around the world, the comics industry is also feeling the impact.

   Comics shops across the country are scrambling to deal with the sudden drop in customers, as many shelter in place. Some shops are being forced to close. Some are offering curbside delivery, and others are actually delivering orders to some customers.

   The companies are also under pressure from shops asking for help is dealing with orders they now aren't able to sell.

   Several companies, including Valiant, Aspen and Vault, have announced plans to shut down the production of new comics until the crisis passes (whenever that might be). Others may follow suit.

   The other big casualty is Free Comic Book Day. That tradition was rumored to be expanding to fill the entire month of May (instead of just the first Saturday), but now retailers are planning to move it to sometime in the summer.

   Needless to say, at this point we don't know how long the quarantine conditions will continue, and the ultimate effect it'll have on a comics industry that is often struggling financially.

   More news as it develops!

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