Mark Farace of All American Collectibles/Mo's Comics in St. Louis, Missouri saw retailer comments about comic shipping (see “Noah Broessel of Pop Culture Paradise on Weekly Delivery Schedule”) and wonders why comics aren’t shipping in advance of the release date like regular books:

I read the aforementioned letter about new comic day and, after several days waiting for a response, I felt compelled to throw in my two cents.  I also had a delay in shipping which caused a ripple effect that has lasted all weekend long.  For years I have wondered why the comic book industry cannot deliver like every other publication or print media in the country.  Having your books the evening prior to release and being able to stock shelves like a book store or record store would seem so much more professional (you don't see these stores opening at noon to try and get their racks stocked).  It appears that the only true answers boil down to two things on Diamond’s behalf... inability and trust.

Since all of us retailers don't work within that UPS "one day delivery window," Diamond cannot get all of us our books on Tuesday without some stores paying extra shipping.  A valid argument, but retailers who are close enough can choose to pick up their books from Diamond on Tuesday.  However, when a situation like this past week happens, Diamond refused to contact stores who already had their books and tell them to pull them off the racks until Friday.  Seems that a double standard is set when it's convenient.   

Then we get into the trust factor.  It appears that comic shop owners can't be trusted to hold their books overnight for a next day release.  Some may take offense, but I know for a fact that a local string of shops has sold books on Tuesday night after picking them up from Memphis earlier in the day.  If I contact Diamond over this handful of books, am I doing myself a service or further damaging the already fragile relationship that we have with them?  

All that being said, it appears we're stuck with Wednesday, unless those who are outside the one day shipping window agree, or are forced to, pay the extra shipping to get books on Tuesday.  The option of a Thursday release date is always shut down by those who feel they can't make enough money with a shorter week.  Sucking up to your local UPS delivery driver to get his to the shop earlier is probably the next article someone needs to write. 

The opinions expressed in this Talk Back article are solely those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff of ICv2.com.