How will the coronavirus affect comics?

[Digifiend]

Diamond are the only print distributor, but digital is nothing to do with them - therefore digital exclusive books never show up on Previews World, and have been known to only be announced on their release day, without being solicited earlier. I don't think subscriptions are done by Diamond either, don't the publishers handle that themselves?

So like I said, check marvel.com (and other publisher websites such as dccomics.com) and not Previews World.

[Revolutionary_Jack]

This is maybe the first major interview anyone at Marvel has done about the Coronavirus. Tom Brevoort is someone I have very mixed feelings about but this is a very sober, insightful, and touching interview and gives you a sense of where Marvel's head is at.

There's also a brilliant observation near the end where Brevoort compares 9/11 to the present crisis and why it's different. Without minimizing the attack, he points out that when the attack happened, it happened, then it stopped and you could deal with the aftermath where Coronavirus is persistent and expanding and doesn't stop, prolonging the effect.

He says that if and when the crisis abates, Marvel might do a response issue like ASM#36v.2 (aka The 9/11 Issue with that famous all-black cover). But not while it's ongoing.

[Digifiend]

From Reddit:

Word on the street is Marvel is looking to side step their contract with Diamond while diamond is unable to fulfill their obligations (in contract terms). They're contacting LCSs that are still open and offering to direct ship next week's books (and presumably further out)

Disney owns Hachette Books, so they don't need Diamond any more. And Diamond is in breach of contract. If this is true, Disney's lawyers may be able to end the monopoly!
https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/...2_can_do_this/

The Reddit thread was originally talking about this:

[DragonPiece]

From Reddit:


Disney owns Hachette Books, so they don't need Diamond any more. And Diamond is in breach of contract. If this is true, Disney's lawyers may be able to end the monopoly!
https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/...2_can_do_this/
]

Is it really smart to potentially get into a potential legal battle for only a few shops that would be able to do mail order for customers? This just seems unnecessary, and also dangerous to the people working at Hachette during this pandemic.

[Gaastra]

Looks like dc is trying to snag stuck at home kids with dc camp. Not sure how well it will work but they are trying I guess.


https://www.bleedingcool.com/2020/03...irus-shut-ins/

[Mike_Murdock]

Is it really smart to potentially get into a potential legal battle for only a few shops that would be able to do mail order for customers? This just seems unnecessary, and also dangerous to the people working at Hachette during this pandemic.

I'm wondering if courts are even open for the filing of the civil suits necessary to get the courts to agree Diamond is in breach (I suppose Disney could breach and then deal with the consequences later, but they would have to decide that the breach is less economically risky than waiting). For this, I'm assuming Diamond has an exclusive contract as opposed to just having the only contract.

[Triniking1234]

I doubt temporarily halting shipments due to a lethal pandemic is grounds for lawsuit for a breach of contract.

[skyvolt2000]

I'm wondering if courts are even open for the filing of the civil suits necessary to get the courts to agree Diamond is in breach (I suppose Disney could breach and then deal with the consequences later, but they would have to decide that the breach is less economically risky than waiting). For this, I'm assuming Diamond has an exclusive contract as opposed to just having the only contract.

Yes courts seems to be open. Because Netflix and Ava won some case over WHen They See Us last week. So they are open in some form.

[skyvolt2000]

Diamond are the only print distributor, but digital is nothing to do with them - therefore digital exclusive books never show up on Previews World, and have been known to only be announced on their release day, without being solicited earlier. I don't think subscriptions are done by Diamond either, don't the publishers handle that themselves?

So like I said, check marvel.com (and other publisher websites such as dccomics.com) and not Previews World.

Marvel seems to have Midtown do theirs. I have a subscription to Miles and they always arrive with a list of books by Marvel and Midtown is listed as the shipper.

[PlatinumThorns]

From Reddit:


Disney owns Hachette Books, so they don't need Diamond any more. And Diamond is in breach of contract. If this is true, Disney's lawyers may be able to end the monopoly!
https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbooks/...2_can_do_this/

The Reddit thread was originally talking about this:

That would work, but would be pretty dumb considering a lot of shops will be closed and foot traffic is extremely low for those that're still open.

[DragonPiece]

We have a new sign Marvel may pause digital releases next week, they are telling Newsarama doctor aphra #1 will not come out as a digital exclusive: https://www.newsarama.com/49590-luca...-it-s-not.html

[Astral Disaster]

I doubt temporarily halting shipments due to a lethal pandemic is grounds for lawsuit for a breach of contract.

My thoughts on this as well.

[Drops Of Venus]

We have a new sign Marvel may pause digital releases next week, they are telling Newsarama doctor aphra #1 will not come out as a digital exclusive: https://www.newsarama.com/49590-luca...-it-s-not.html

OTOH, BleedingCool is reporting that both Marvel and DC are telling their freelancers to keep working as usual, that they’re still getting paid and they shouldn’t worry. They also corroborated with the Reddit rumor that Marvel considered direct shipping:

https://www.bleedingcool.com/2020/03...irus-pandemic/

Even if we don’t get any new comics next week, I feel like the Big Two are already planning a way to resume their publication soon enough, ‘cause it doesn’t sound like they think the entire industry is going on an indefinite pause if they’re telling freelancers to keep working and that they’re still getting paid. They’re obviously expecting to make money somehow.

[Digifiend]

So What Happens To Comics Next Wednesday? April Fool?
https://www.bleedingcool.com/2020/03...ay-april-fool/
One commenter says that both DC and Marvel are still doing direct subscriptions.

I've received word via chat that my direct subscribed titles from Marvel and DC will arrive as normal for the month of April. Those are already printed and have been processed. This includes Batman and Detective Comics.

So I should have Batman #92 and #93 next month.

[Anthony W]

He says that if and when the crisis abates, Marvel might do a response issue like ASM#36v.2 (aka The 9/11 Issue with that famous all-black cover). But not while it's ongoing.

Ugh........