Saturday 25 April 2020

The year everything changed

It's become a tired cliché to say we're living in strange times but I suppose it's a more polite way of admitting how bad this year is. We're all experiencing the worst of times to varying degrees, and there's no end in sight. The human spirit isn't crushed very easily though and we'll hopefully find a way through it one day at a time, but it's going to take a long time! 

The world of publishing is starting to make changes. Both Infinity and Starburst magazines are on hiatus until June, and Panini UK have decided to skip several weeks and delay their regular Marvel and DC reprint comics until May. (Doctor Who Magazine is still on schedule though.)

Publishers are boasting that subscriptions are up... but in truth some are having delays getting the publications out, either due to being short staffed or hold ups in the postal service. Putting magazines on hold seems a better option in some cases, but kudos to some publishers for standing by their freelancers and continuing to give them work. (Thanks Panini UK!)

As I said in my previous posts, I've put Combat Colin on hiatus at the moment but hope to publish issue 5 later this year. In the meantime, Barmy Comix, a 32 page PDF, is a temporary alternative. (More info here if you missed it.)

I have a few orders of back issues of Combat Colin to send out, but with some post offices closed or only opening limited hours, and with the health risk of actually standing in line, it's not practical for me to continue promoting my print comics for now. So I'd ask you not to order any more comics from me for the time being. 

I'm sorry this is such a pessimistic post. I'll try to find something to lighten the mood next time I post hopefully. Take care everyone.

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7 comments:

Rob Gabriel said...

It's not so bad. Like someone said on another forum the government are asking us to chill out in our gardens with our families, have a beer, stay off work and get paid for it.

Manic Man said...

There is an old English quote which more applies when taken out of context "May you live in interesting times". Often said to be from Chinese though it seams to have been a HUGE mistranslation from what is more correctly translated to "Better to be a dog in the days of peace, then a man in the times of war".. which makes the whole thing quoted out of context ALOT.. but anyway, if we take 'interesting' out of context, we are more in interesting times then strange.. though a better English fit would be 'grotesque' or if you were feeling extremely depressed "Awesome" (I don't much like the modern meaning that Awe is something good.. but can't stick people in gaol for something like that.. I know Language evolves but it can also be misused and warped)..

anyway.. It's a shame that you have to stop shipping but it's for the best. I wish I could remember when the post office stopped letting postmen accept post... I know there was a time you could give letters and stuff to the local postie and they would take them to be dispatched but... ah, so long ago.. Victorian England maybe? WW2?.. tricky.. I think before my time atleast..

anyway.. Taking care of yourself is first on the list.

Lew Stringer said...

Rob, there are thousands of people dying from it every day. If you think that's "not so bad" then you need to see the bigger picture. Also, not everyone has a family, and not everyone is being paid any support from the government.

Like they say, it's not about "me", it's about "we".

Lew Stringer said...

I've never heard of giving the postman parcels to deliver, Ryan. They're out to deliver, not burden themselves with more parcels. And how would you get the items weighed and stamped?

Manic Man said...

yeah, like I said, I think it was along time ago.. also for parcels, you would need a franking machine. dull to use them though.. but you can do some of it online now I believe.. though yes, they are there to deliver and I know tons of reasons why they don't accept.. but I kinda wonder when it stopped.. maybe it was just one of these unofficial things at times where you could ask them to pop a letter in the post box for you.. not that important anyway

McSCOTTY said...

As horrendous as the death toll and suffering is ( and it is truly horrendous) the economic toll this virus could wreck on us all could be as bad as in anytime in history. Its a truly terrible that's needs strong leaders, sadly some are not up to it and not just the obvious idiot.

Lew Stringer said...

You're right, Paul, and this is what annoys me most about people who think boredom is the only hardship they're facing. There are some very dark days ahead and we all need to prepare for it.