Humanoids publisher Mark Waid released a message today addressing the publisher’s evolving response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has Diamond no longer distributing new product and many direct market retailers closed or facing reduced foot traffic. In the message, Waid announced that Humanoids would not be asking creators to stop work on their books, but they will be “taking a short break in releasing new material.”

Stories are important. In times like these—especially in times like these—narrative is an invaluable aid to let our minds relax and our spirits soar. At Humanoids, we’re putting the health and safety of our employees and partners first, but we’re lucky enough to be working with passionate comics artists and writers the world over who are devoted to the value of entertainment. I don’t think they’d put down their pencils even if we asked them.

Though COVID-19 has temporarily impacted our schedule, we aren’t wasting any time to ensure that our future is filled with new stories that we can share with you as soon as possible. We are actively working with creators, guaranteeing that previously announced projects arrive while signing new projects. But to ensure the safety and prosperity of our creative community, retailer peers, and staff, Humanoids will be taking a short break in releasing new material.

We’ll be back later this summer with books to amaze and astound. See you then. Please see the updated schedule below for more details.

– Mark Waid
Publisher, Humanoids

The statement was accompanied by an updated release schedule, which you can see below. The schedule indicates new release dates in September and October for all of the Humanoids material originally scheduled to release between next Wednesday and the end of June.

Humanoids Schedule
Updated Humanoids release schedule

The line in Waid’s statement about creators not putting pencils down even if they asked seems like a little jab at Marvel, who last Friday announced they were ordering work paused on 1/3rd of their output for May and June. Humanoids is surely a bit more flexible than Marvel both in terms of size and not having a corporate parent to which to answer.

Humanoids is the first publisher to announce a delay in product release for June-shipping titles. IDW had previously announced a suspension of all May-shipping books.