As we've already reported, the closure of Diamond Comic Distributors means that comic book stores are unable to receive physical copies of new and upcoming titles for the foreseeable future. That's going to hurt retailers in a big way (many of which have been forced to close anyway), and Marvel Comics has now followed DC Comics by cancelling tomorrow's digital sales.
Marvel Entertainment President Dan Buckley shared a statement confirming the news, but noted that this is "a fluid situation with details changing every day." That could point to their stance changing in the coming weeks, especially as Diamond has offered no insight into when they might start printing comics again. Given the ongoing pandemic, however, it's likely to be a while.
"As you know, unfortunately there will not be any new print titles available at your shops this week. Marvel will also not be releasing any new comic book titles digitally on April 1," Buckley says. "This is a fluid situation with details changing every day, so we appreciate your patience and understanding as we all navigate our way through this."
"As soon as more information is available," he adds "we will outline our longer-term plans and opportunities to support you and the industry."
Continuing to release digital comics puts retailers at serious risk, but Marvel is a business, so there's no way they won't publish comics in some format over the coming months, especially if Diamond is forced to remain closed for a huge part of 2020. It's hard to say what might happen right now.
Titles that were scheduled to be released tomorrow included some Empyre tie-ins, Black Widow #1, Taskmaster #1, and Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #1 (all of which are major new titles).