DC's Black Label has brought some more mature books to the market. Numerous critically acclaimed books have been published under the new imprint. However, if there's been one persisting issue with the line is the numerous release delays - but DC promises that won't be an issue going forward.
DC's mature reader's imprint launched its first book, Batman: Damned, in September 2018. The controversial book was delayed so many times it took over six months to release three issues. Batman: Damned wasn't the only series that's release schedule changed from solicitations as Superman: Year One, Joker/Harley Quinn: Criminal Sanity, Birds of Prey, and Batman: Last Knight on Earth all experienced delays.
DC Publisher Dan DiDio recently spoke about the delays during a Q&A with Direct Market comic book retailers. He said that while the line was extremely successful for DC Comics, that they won't be soliciting anything until they are more clear on when each book actually comes out.
Extraordinarily successful for us," DiDio said of the line. "The response and reaction has been better than we could imagine. Our plan is to make sure we're consistent in the material we're putting out, and that it's strong, and that it comes out on time. We will not be soliciting anything until we are clear that this material will come out as scheduled.
DiDio praised the maturity and quality of the Black Label books and said the imprint has a long-term future with DC Comics. It shouldn't be a surprise DiDio is high on the Black Label line. For the most part, the books have been of extremely high quality. Titles like Batman: Curse of the White Knight, The Last God, Wonder Woman: Dead Earth and Harleen have all been stellar. But, the quality was never the issue. It's always been about delays.
DiDio saying materials will come out as scheduled is a positive development. It's a real shame when a great book comes out and readers have to wait months for another issue to come out. Delays happen, but it was getting to be a bit much for the entire line. It's good to see Didio understanding the solicitations were problematic and that he'll take a more cautious approach going forward.
DC's Black Label line is one of the best things DC Comics has going for it at the moment. Past delays have stunted momentum for certain books. Hopefully, that won't be a problem for the line going forward.