Comic Shops Will Not Receive New Physical Issues During the Pandemic

So far the coronavirus pandemic has shut down most of the world, and besides movie theaters the other industry that stands a chance of not surviving it is the local comic shop. Already struggling in recent years, the pandemic shuttering the shops already hurt those who were having trouble; and now the primary comics distributor may have dealt them a deathblow.

ComicBook.com has a lengthy statement from Diamond, but the important part of is is this:

Therefore, my only logical conclusion is to cease the distribution of new weekly product until there is greater clarity on the progress made toward stemming the spread of this disease.

This means that local shops will not be able to receive any comics dated after April 1st. So even if your local shop was doing things like delivery or curb side pickup, you won’t be able to get new comics until Diamond decides to start shipping them again.

You can still read new comics, digital issues will likely still continue to exist, but Diamond’s decision today could spell doom for the idea of a local comic shop where you can go and buy a physical issue.