AfterShock Comics has announced Support Our Shops or S.O.S., a 48-page anthology comic distributed at no cost to comic shops through Diamond Comic Distributors. The seven-story collection is meant to help struggling retailers with a risk-free product.
S.O.S. aims to emphasize comic shops in its stories, too. Each is said to focus on the irreplaceable role that brick and mortar shops play in the industry, and in the lives of fans and professionals alike. Creators on the title include: Cullen Bunn, Stephanie Phillips, Zac Thompson, Steve Orlando, Jamie McKelvie, Jerry Ordway and Aaron Douglas, with art from Leila Leiz, Don Kramer, Szymon Kudranski, Ro Stein & Ted Brandt, Gordon Purcell and Cliff Richards, with cover conceived and executed by David Mack.
“This benefit book celebrates the central and critical role that comic shops have always played in fostering a love of the medium among fans – many of whom have gone on to become creators in their own right,” said AfterShock Comics Publisher Joe Pruett. “It might be a drop in the bucket, but it’s a hell of a drop in the bucket. These are heartfelt stories, crafted by creators with deep, lasting connections to the comic shops of yesterday, today and, we have no doubt, tomorrow.”
Diamond’s top-ranked 200 Aftershock accounts will get 20 free copies of S.O.S., with the next 300 netting 10 free copies – and any shop not included can request the book traditionally through their AfterShock Ambassador, to be received with their shipment of 6/24 on sale books. Once at the storefront, the publisher encourages shops to leverage the product as they see fit: as giveaways, purchase incentives, or even sold at suggested retail price to help recoup losses from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Below, check out a short preview of Support Our Shops, along with cover art.
