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.
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 2
Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Two #4 – September 14
Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Two #5 – September 21
Batman: The Long Halloween Special #1 – October 19
Batman/Catwoman #8 – October 19
Batman the Detective #5 – September 21
Blue & Gold #2 – September 7
Blue & Gold #3 – September 28
Green Lantern 2021 Annual – September 7
Hardware: Season One #2 – September 21
Justice League #67 – September 14
Locke & Key/The Sandman Universe: Hell & Gone #2 – September 28
Nubia & the Amazons #1 – October 19
Static: Season One #3 – August 31
Static: Season One #4 – October 12
Static: Season One #5 – November 16
Static: Season One #6 – December 21
Suicide Squad: Get Joker! #3 – November 2
Suicide Squad 2021 Annual – September 7
Superman: Son of Kal-El #3 – September 14
Superman ’78 #3 – November 2
Superman: Son of Kal-El #4 – September 21
Teen Titans Academy #7 – October 12
Teen Titans Academy #8 – November 2
Wonder Girl #4 – October 12
Wonder Girl #5 – November 9
Wonder Girl #6 – November 23
Wonder Girl #7 – December 7
Delayed Collected editions:
Batman: No Man’s Land Omnibus Vol. 1 – January 11, 2022
Deathstroke by Christopher Priest Omnibus – October 5
Justice League Dark: The New 52 Omnibus – November 9
Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes (Tabloid Edition) – February 15, 2022
The 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.
