Marvel Comics has placed half of its editorial staff on furlough as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to The Guardian.

In a piece about the struggles of the comic book industry during this difficult time, it’s mentioned that Marvel has cut its editorial staff in half according to a source familiar with the matter. From the article:

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Marvel has cut its editorial staff by half, according to a source familiar with the situation. A Marvel spokesman said the company would not confirm numbers, but that all the cut staff were furloughed, not laid off, and the firm would continue providing health insurance “for the duration of the furlough period”.

It’s encouraging that the employees are merely furloughed, and not completely laid off, and will continue receiving health insurance for the duration. But it’s just yet another unfortunate reminder of the difficulties the comic book industry is going through during the coronavirus pandemic.