When Comic Book Publishers Will Release New Issues in Stores

After the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic brought the North American comic book industry to a standstill for weeks, mew comics releases are set to return in earnest throughout the month of May. While Marvel and DC’s traditional summer crossovers are on hold, Free Comic Book Day has been delayed and 2020’s Comic-Con International in San Diego has been canceled for the year, Diamond Comics Distributors, the comic industry’s primary distributor, has announced plans to begin shipping new product to comic book stores by the end of the month.

Now, here’s when you can tentatively expect to see new releases from some of the industry’s biggest publishers in stores throughout May.

With graphic novels like Gotham High and digital editions of new material previously featured in Wal-Mart-exclusive anthologies, DC has kept a trickle of new content flowing throughout the pandemic. Through new distributors Lunar Distribution and UCS Comic Distributors, DC released Daphne Byrne #4 and The Dreaming #20, along with a few reprints and collected editions last week on Tues, April 28.

This week, DC is set to release the following new comics through Lunar Distribution and UCS Comic Distributors on 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

On Tuesday, May 12, DC is set to release these new comics through Lunar Distribution and UCS Comic Distributors.

Harley Quinn #72
Justice League #44
Justice League Odyssey #20
Lois Lane #10
Metal Men #6

For Tuesday, May 19, DC has announced the release of several more titles on its website:

DCeased: Unkillables #3
The Dollhouse Family #6
The Flash Giant #4
Plunge #3
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #10
Red Hood: Outlaw #45
Wonder Woman #755

On Tuesday, May 26, DC will release the following titles:

Aquaman #59
Basketful of Heads #7
Batman Beyond #43
Books of Magic #19
The Flash #754
He-Man and the Masters of the Multiverse #6
Justice League #45
The Low, Low Woods #5
MAD Magazine #13
Our Fighting Forces Giant #1
Suicide Squad #5
Teen Titans #41
The Terrifics #27
Wonder Woman Giant #4

Although the majority of comic companies have elected to release new physical copies of their books on May 20, Marvel has chosen to wait an additional week before releasing its new titles. As it eases back into regular releases, Marvel will alternate weeks of releasing new individual issues with new collected editions.

Here is a list of the comics Marvel has announced will be available in print and digital on Wednesday, May 27, according to its official website:

Amazing Spider-Man #43
Avengers #33
Marauders #10
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #1
Venom #25

Marvel will continue to release slates of comics and collected editions on alternating weeks through June and July.

Like many publishers, Image will resume the release of new titles on Wednesday, May 20, to coincide with the reopening of Diamond. Titles to be released that day include: