Monday, 30 August 2021

DC Comics Delays Major Titles Due To COVID-Related Shortages

Due to pandemic-related shortages, DC Comics has announced the delay of many major titles. This news comes on the heels of DC's big success with its new Superman series, Superman: Son of Kal-El, which is due for reprint in September. Comics have struggled for many years and there have been lots of rumors spread around about publishers like DC Comics looking to fold comics divisions. However, DC's very own Jim Lee confirmed that they have no plans on botching publishing. In fact, it's the opposite, they already have plans spanning over the next few years according to Infinite Frontier writer Joshua Williamson.

The other day, DC Comics informed retailers that a large portion of their upcoming titles is going to be delayed. This comes on the heels of the Delta variant running rampant across the world, which ultimately has affected DC's supply chains. This isn't the first time that titles have been delayed, it's happened more and more recently. But this marks a huge delay that affects most of DC's major titles.

Related: Darkseid vs Doomsday: Who is Superman's Strongest Villain?

DC Comics' marketing manager Albert Ching released a statement, which Newsarama picked up on, claiming that "DC faces an unprecedented strain on the global supply chain, affecting all of us in the comic industry and beyond." He went on to add, "Up to this point, we've been able to keep delays and shortages to a minimum, but with recent notifications about covid-related port closures, international and domestic freight delays, workforce shortages, and a severely allocated paper supply, we are unable to continue to manage this situation without disruption." In turn, they have had to reform their upcoming release schedule. Check out the delayed titles below:

Delayed single issues:

Batman: Reptilian #5 - November 2Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Two #4 - September 14Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Two #5 - September 21Batman: The Long Halloween Special #1 - October 19Batman/Catwoman #8 - October 19Batman the Detective #5 - September 21Blue & Gold #2 - September 7Blue & Gold #3 - September 28Green Lantern 2021 Annual - September 7Hardware: Season One #2 - September 21Justice League #67 - September 14Locke & Key/The Sandman Universe: Hell & Gone #2 - September 28Nubia & the Amazons #1 - October 19Static: Season One #3 - August 31Static: Season One #4 - October 12Static: Season One #5 - November 16Static: Season One #6 - December 21Suicide Squad: Get Joker! #3 - November 2Suicide Squad 2021 Annual - September 7Superman: Son of Kal-El #3 - September 14Superman '78 #3 - November 2Superman: Son of Kal-El #4 - September 21Teen Titans Academy #7 - October 12Teen Titans Academy #8 - November 2Wonder Girl #4 - October 12Wonder Girl #5 - November 9Wonder Girl #6 - November 23Wonder Girl #7 - December 7

Delayed Collected editions:

Batman: No Man's Land Omnibus Vol. 1 - January 11, 2022Deathstroke by Christopher Priest Omnibus - October 5Justice League Dark: The New 52 Omnibus - November 9Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes (Tabloid Edition) - February 15, 2022The Books of Magic Omnibus Vol. 2 - January 11, 2022

DC Comics has delayed a total of twenty-eight single issues, as well as five collected editions. Additionally, Newsarama noted that the digital release dates of the titles have also been shifted, matching the new physical release dates. Among the twenty-eight delayed titles, some of DC's most sought-after comics are included like Justice League and Superman: Son of Kal-El. In the world of Wonder Woman, the new Nubia series titled Nubia & the Amazons has moved back its first issue to October 19. Additionally, Wonder Girl has a shocking total of four issues being delayed throughout October, November, and December.

It doesn't look like this is a one-time thing for DC Comics as they have stated that they expect further delays while the pandemic continues. More than likely, it will be a while before supply chains return to normal. Obviously, it's a shame that the issues won't come out sooner, but it's unavoidable right now. Nevertheless, there is a huge range of exciting new titles still hitting shelves week by week, despite these future delays.

Next: The DC Multiverse is Being United By A New 'Omega' Man

Source: Newsarama



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