Biff's Bit: Comics Hiatus and Previews Access
Having swept the world, Coronavirus has now affected our hobby and Steve Geppi at Diamond USA has ceased distributing comics as of 1st April 2020 in the USA (the UK already ceased distribution on 23rd March). This has left one complete shipment of comics and books sitting in the Warrington warehouse, a shipment that also contains the new edition of Previews.
Currently the Warrington warehouse is closed, so we cannot even get hold of general stock. This may change and we are getting daily email updates. At present orders can still be placed from the April Previews, but the only copies of the catalogue are online. Whilst not the real thing, this is at least a way to read Previews and se everything (currently) scheduled for June 2020 release onward in the safety and comfort of your own homes, so please use these links…
We will endeavour to get the information listed on our advance site, however, it is dependent on some information from Diamond UK which, as they are shut down, we may not get for a week or two.
Which gives you plenty of time to digest the information and decide what to order.
I am sure this situation will cause at least a month-long hiatus in publishing. When we have definite information we will post it.
Shout Out to Doctor Jim Bolton
Jim is an ACER of many years standing and considers us one of the essential services in these difficult times, spreading good cheer via comics and books. While on the frontline he has caught the coronavirus and is in isolation now. We are getting a parcel of goodies together for him and this will be posted out on Monday March 30th. We hope this helps him through the virus and isolation period, and back to the front line as soon as possible.
We owe it to all the brave NHS staff, carers, police force, fire service, food retailers and many others who are risking their health to keep us safe.
Thank you Jim and everyone else. This includes my daughter, Ella, who is working in an outer London hospital. Keep safe all.
Goodwill Emails Pour in
I have had many many emails from anxious customers – not about their comics, but about my health and the wellbeing of all of the Ace Comics staff. So I would like to say a big thank you to you all for your concern and kind words about our service over the years.
We have also had letters – yes, letters! This is a most pleasant surprise in this digital internet age and I will give a shout out to one of them, picked at random from one of my many hats. It’s from Simon Ma. His letter was as follows:
“I hope that everyone there is well.
“At this very difficult period for everyone it seemed to me the opportune moment to thank you for your consistently excellent service. It is still, after thirty years the highlight of the month to receive your cardboard box. Although my tastes have changed over the years it is still a tonic, which now more than ever is a very welcome respite from the monthly ‘grind’ and all the bad news in the world. I am sure a lot of work goes into the organisation: from the order forms right through to the sending off of the titles, and I just wanted to say how much I appreciate it all.
“Thank you, Keep up the good work.”
Well Simon, there is a great team of people around me who really care about the work, about comics, and about our customers. Take a bow Kerrie, Marc, Glenn, Lea, Guy, Martin George, Evil Stu, Chris, David, Ben, Alex, Tina and, lastly, the old Biffter!
I am now off to read Green Lantern #1 (the 1960 one). I’ve got a tatty, but complete issue that is great for taking me back to simpler days. This will be swiftly followed by Adventure Comics #317 and the “Menace of Dream Girl”. Tomorrow is a toss-up between re-reading my set of Master of Kung Fu or Daredevil. There are some pluses to being shut in after all!
