...many comics publishers have received calls stating that they cannot print new collections, large format books, or special items this year. That the numbers being requested to be printed need to be reduced, and release dates need to be pushed back further. One publisher told Bleeding Cool that they feel like they are a month or so from such restrictions having an impact on saddle-stitched books (standard comic books with staples). Bleeding Cool is also being told that printing plants that have never printed comics before are being roped in to help. Indeed, we heard this morning that several publishers were told that books that were meant to print this week just lost their press time. Expect more delays to be announced. One publisher told Bleeding Cool that collections are taking weeks longer than usual and all their hardcovers have been pushed till next year. Another told us that there are definitely supply chain issues across the publishing industry but that North American printing is largely being impacted by paper and labor shortages. And that overseas printing (primarily Asia) is being impacted by shipping and port delays. However, all of this is being exacerbated by increased demand, which is often spiking right before the order goes to print, making it harder to forecast what the market and customers are going to need. I am advised that how different publishers' release schedules will be impacted will depend on their relationships with their print partners and volume of business.