Plus: TCAF canceled, BookExpo postponed and more coronavirus news.
As the threat of the coronavirus continues to spread, and federal, state and local governments take action to try and stop it, “shelter in place” and social distancing orders inevitably harm small businesses, like comics retailers. Many retailers around the country have either closed up for a time or have moved to a mail order/”curbside pickup” system. In his weekly newsletter today, writer Cullen Bunn shared some tips for supprtoing your favorite shop during this time:
…SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL COMIC BOOK SHOP as much as you’re able.
Running a comic book store can be difficult, even in the best of times. Right now, shops are taking a hit. The absolute last thing I want to see—as a reader, a fan, and a creator—is for comic book stores to disappear. It is vital that we all work together to support comic book stores as much as possible and help them get through the coming weeks. When comic book stores suffer, so does the comic book industry. A lot of stores are offering new services during this time of isolation and social-distancing. Some things you can do to help…
- Inquiring about curbside pickup.
- Inquiring about mail order or delivery options.
- Purchasing any books that are in your pull box.
- Purchasing gift cards/gift certificates for upcoming birthdays, events, and holidays.
- Following your local comic shop on social media for updates on: curtailed hours of operation, events, special accommodations, and cleaning policy.
- Tagging your local comic shop on social media & posting photos of the comics you’ve purchased to read during self-quarantine and social distancing.
You can find a comic shop offering “safe services” during the pandemic by using this map from BOOM! Studios.
Image Comics, who issued a letter asking other publishers to help comics retailers during this crisis, also had Alex Cox, Skottie Young and Nate Piekos create a short comic on how fans can support their local shop:
Continue reading “Comics Lowdown: Standing behind retailers during the coronavirus”
