When the COVID-19 pandemic hit hard in 2020, much of the world shut down for a few months as people tried to get a handle on this deadly virus. With better data and, eventually, a vaccine, things shifted, but new surges created more problems. instead of quarantines, people were out due to illness. This has caused problems in all industries as vital components needed are either delayed, backlogged, or simply limited. This is also true in the comic book industry as paper shortages have stopped second printings and delayed issues. the latest casualty of supply chain problems is the Black history Month special from DC and Milestone comics, which has been delayed until June. This graphic novel will feature stories about real-world Black figures from history written by Alice Randall, Touré, Michael Harriott, and Reginald Hudlin.
To be clear, this is not the only Milestone special edition planned for Black history Month. Milestone Compendium One promises to be an epic graphic novel, collecting Static: season One. It’s just one of a series, and this first installment is expected to be a whopping 1300 pages long. As far as we know, this is not, as yet, delayed. Also, DC Comics will feature Black history Month variant covers across their entire comics line.
The historical figures in the delayed graphic novel will vary. There will be a story about Hannibal, a general from Carthage who fought the Romans. We’ll also get to read the story of Eugene Bullard, a black pilot who couldn’t fight in the us army in world war I, so he instead fought for France. The author of The three Musketeers, Alexandre Dumas, will also be the subject of one of the stories. Also, the quasi-mythical, semi-historical figure the Queen of Sheba appears as well.
x
Mario Kart DLC Gold Rush.mp4
0 seconds of 12 minutes, 40 seconds
Live
00:00
12:40
12:40
Milestone Black history Month special Delayed, possibly due to wood Pulp, supply Chain Shortage
Cover image via Milestone and DC Comics
The paper shortage is really a wood pulp shortage that can be blamed on the pandemic but has a lot of factors. In fact, with worker shortages and the Omicron surge, it lays bare the problems with “bottlenecks” in our supply chain. In cases where products are still able to be produced and shipped, they sit in cargo containers and ports with no one to unload them. This is also what’s driving inflation, as there is more scarcity and producers are trying to pass these costs on to the consumers. Also, with the increase in online shopping (which includes an increase in physical book sales) the demand for wood pulp used to make everything from comic pages to toilet paper to carboard boxes. Unfortunately, the wood pulp shortage is not going to resolve itself anytime soon.
While DC Comics hasn’t said that the Milestone Black history Month special has been delayed because of supply chain shortages, it’s a safe bet. It’s a shame that this title will not hit shelves in February to celebrate Black history Month. Of course, Black history isn’t just confined to the month of February, so the Milestone special is just as apt delayed to June as it would be if hit stands this month.
What do you think? Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments below.
Featured image via Milestone and DC Comics