DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution announced that DC Comics is partnering with comiXology and PlayStation Network in the realm of digital publishing to offer two separate digital comics distribution deals. DC Comics is also releasing an app for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. The two deals, as well as the app, are both available as of yesterday, June 23.
The comiXology and PlayStation Network Digital Comics programs will launch by offering classic titles from DC Comics, Wildstorm, and Vertigo. Individual issues will be priced from $.99 to $2.99. Both programs are also offering free comics, such as select stories from Batman: Black and White and Bayou from ZUDA Comics. DC is also offering a special ten page preview of Superman #700, which was released in stores yesterday.
Co-Publisher of DC Comics Jim Lee made the statement, “at DC Comics, it has been a top priority that DC forges a meaningful, forward-looking digital strategy. As both a comic book creator and Co-Publisher, it was incredibly important that our plan includes not only creator incentive payments, but also an innovative component that supports comic shop owners. We see digital as an opportunity to grow our entire business.”
Specifically, the comiXology program will initially offer over 100 DC Comics, Wildstorm, and Vertigo titles, with DC’s other imprints’ titles being offered each month, as well as one issue of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman per week. These comics will be available through DC’s app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, the DC Comics storefront in comiXology’s Comics app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, the DC Comics storefront at comics.comixology.com, and later this year at dccomics.com.
The PlayStation Network Digital Comics program will initially offer 80 issues from DC Comics, Wildstorm, and Vertigo, with 50 issues releasing each month. Comic titles based on video games will be offered exclusively through the PlayStation Store on the PSP.
The full press release can be found here.
I was wondering when DC would get involved with digital publishing. Looks like I have my answer. It’s about time, too. Marvel has had digital comics for a while now. Even some of the independent publishers have digital comics, like Archie and IDW. I personally don’t care for digital comics, but this is a medium that is apparently gaining popularity and one that DC needed to jump into.
Jordan West
jordan@comicattack.net
Well, that’s more cost effective than what Marvel has been talking about. Marvel mentioned selling comics in pieces for those prices, instead of whole issues. So you get like 1/3 of Iron Man for the same price as an entire issue of Superman.
It’s a real shame they shut down CMX before launching a digital platform.
Sounds like a plan to me. My only question is, what took them so long?
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