A couple of months ago, DC Comics gave its website a much needed overhaul, giving it a sparkling new, hip and cool face lift. The changes cut a lot deeper, however, than just the site’s superficial appearance. It would not be hyperbole to say that the comic book publishing giant made as many additions, updates, and augmentations to its online portal as it has made to its superhero comics’ story lines with last year’s universe shattering “New 52” event.
Even with an outdated, clunky website, DC Comics was managing to keep in step with, and in many cases stay ahead of, the relatively new demand for all things applications (or “apps” as the kids are calling them these days) related in order to attempt to satisfy our portable communication devices’ seemingly insatiable appetite for cool, fun, and often free new content.
Smartphones, tablet computers, and all the rest of their ilk seem like they have been specifically engineered and designed for us comic book fans, especially those of us who have embraced or are slowly learning to embrace the emerging and rapidly evolving world of digital comic books and graphic novels. DC and most, if not all, of the other major comic book publishers, such as Marvel, Dark Horse, IDW, Image, Archie, and many more, have numerous titles available in a digital reading format. Now, these highly competitive, trendsetting companies are designing, perfecting, releasing, and servicing a kaleidoscopic range of apps in order to not only keep up with overall customer demand, but also to try and beat the other guys and gals to the punch.
DC Entertainment Plus Cartoon Network Equals Kid Friendly Fun!
In April, DC Entertainment announced the release of DC Nation, which the company advertised and promoted as a free, “family-friendly” app, providing users immediate access connectivity to the best of its all-ages content. One of the unique, defining characteristics of the DC Nation application is that the myriad offerings from which the user can choose are based upon and originate from the stellar programs that have made Saturday mornings so enjoyable on Cartoon Network. Most notably is, of course, those from Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment.
Just in case you missed it earlier, we will reiterate that the DC Nation is available to you for free. It’s important to stress that point because, for one, everyone loves free stuff, and for two, because of the thousands of kid-safe pages of cool content, such as first issues of iconic DC Comics’ titles Superman Adventures #1, Batman Adventures #1, and Tiny Titans #1. The latter of which has won multiple Eisner Awards, one of the singularly distinctive, highly prestigious awards in the comics industry.
Some of the other features and popular content available via the DC Nation app include, but are not limited to, the following:
- A number of Super Hero Origin mini-comics
- The first six segments of DC Nation Secret Files, a databank detailing many popular DC Comics characters
- Monthly mini-mag, listing current goings-on with Cartoon Network
Other comics from the DC Universe available with DC Nation include:
- Young Justice: Classic Series
- Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the 8th Grade
- Green Lantern: The Animated Series
Kevin P. Hanson
kevin@comicattack.net
