DC Comics has finalized its relief plans for comic book retailers whose stores were affected by Hurricane Katrina.  DC's VP of Sales Bob Wayne noted: 'We remain very concerned about the welfare of our retailers in the Gulf region.  Coming from a retail background as I do, I am very much aware of how difficult these circumstances are.  We're happy to extend whatever help we can now and in the coming weeks.'

For stores that are closed indefinitely DC plans to provide credit for four weeks of DC releases -- all the DC products the stores ordered for the weeks of August 3, 10, 17, & 24.  DC has also cancelled (at no charge) all orders for items scheduled to arrive after August 24th.  DC will accept late orders from these accounts with no penalties.  When and if these stores are ready and able to reopen, DC Comics will provide each location with a credit for free backlist books equal to 10% of each retailer's 2004 DC purchases. Upon reopening DC will offer these stores a 75% co-op reimbursement rate on approved ads for their first two months of business to help rebuild store traffic.

Stores will be notified by Wednesday, September 28th if DC and Diamond have assigned them to this category.  Any retailer not contacted, who believes that he or she should be listed in this category should contact Vince Letterio at DC Comics.

For stores in the region that are open, but have suffered severe business disruption, DC is offering ten weeks of free DC comics (with no returns required).  DC Comics will credit these retailers with 100% of their DC purchases for ten in-store weeks: August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, September 7, 14, 21, 28, and October 5.  This does not include order increases placed after August 28th.  DC will also allow these stores to reduce or cancel any outstanding orders and to place late orders without penalty.  In addition DC will offer these stores a 75% co-op reimbursement rate on approved ads running in October and November 2005 to help rebuild store traffic.

Stores will be notified by Wednesday, September 28th if DC and Diamond have assigned them to this category.  Any retailers who aren't contacted by this date and feel that they belong in this category should contact Vince Letterio at DC Comics.

Finally for stores in areas with large evacuee populations, DC, on a case-by-case basis will provide free overships, through October 5 to accommodate potential new customers.  Retailers who want to apply for the free overships should also contact Vince Letterio at DC Comics.