Comics are one of the worst affected industries in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. That's partly due to comic shops being nonessential services, but also due to the sole comic distributor Diamond closing shop early. DC Comics wants to get comics back in comic shops' hands, though, and announced today it's working with new distributors to make it happen before April ends.
Friday morning DC Comics announced that, starting April 28, it would once again be distributing comic books, but in an extremely limited capacity. For example, on April 28 DC Comics will be distributing five total comics, two of which are re-printings of previously released comics but do include Batman.
DC Comics has also confirmed its comic release plans for the two weeks after April 28, putting out another 12 comics total through May 12. It's unclear if these lists of comic releases will be expanded on as they near or if this is simply the limitation of comic distribution without Diamond's support.
Tuesday, April 28:
Batman #89 (3rd Printing)
Daphne Byrne #4
The Dreaming #20
Nightwing #70 (2nd Printing)
Batman GIANT #4
Tuesday, May 5:
Batman and the Outsiders #12
DC Super Stars #17 (Facsimile Edition)
The Flash #753
The Green Lantern Season Two #3
Hawkman #23
House of Whispers #20
Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanity #4
Tuesday, May 12:
Harley Quinn #72
Justice League #44
Justice League Odyssey #20
Lois Lane #10
Metal Men #6
It may be a coincidence or it may not be, but DC Comics' announcement that it's resuming comic releases with the help of two new distributors coincided with Diamond's own announcement that it'll resume distribution in late May. Diamond may not want other distributors moving in on its business, or Diamond may just be planning to return regardless. Either way, it looks like weekly comic book releases are returning soon, starting with DC Comics.