Archive for the ‘Digital Comics’ Category
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Over the weekend at Heroes Con, Rantz Hoseley, the editor behind Image’s “Comic Book Tattoo” anthology of comics inspired by Tori Amos, unveiled Longbox, a digital comics platform that Hoseley thinks will be the iTunes of comic books. Hoseley is using a similar model, hoping to sell digital comics for 99-cents each. Already on board are Top Cow Productions and Boom! Studios.
“Everyone’s been talking now for half a decade about the holy grail of digital comics, and how do you solve that problem: How do you make something that everyone gets on board with?” Hoseley told CBR. “And rather than just kind of jump into it willy-nilly, we’ve done a lot of research and actual development on the platform prior to even discussing it with any publishers.”
While iTunes allows you to activate five system to listen to your MP3s, the Longbox software will only allow you to read your digital comics on three devices. If you are interested in becoming a beta-tester, you’ll need to attend the San Diego Comic-Con panel for the low down.
From the screen shots I’ve seen, and the passion Hoseley has for the project, I hope it works. I also hope the company eventually opens the program to other applications beyond the PC, Mac, and Linux systems, because as soon as those eBooks come in color, it might put Longbox Digital Comics out of business.
As the new Transformers movie makes its debut overseas, IDW dropped off a note to remind us that Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen can be read in digital comic form over at the iTunes app store.
“E-publishing is clearly becoming an important part of the comics world, and IDW is leading the way,” said company CEO Ted Adams in a prepared statement. “With these new apps, people who have never even been to a comic book store can now begin enjoying this great medium in a whole new way.”
The twelve new movie-related digital comics are a must-read for all TRANSFORMERS fan, setting the stage for TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN, this summer’s next blockbuster film. In Alliance, readers journey across the globe as humans and AUTOBOTS join forces to defend Earth against the DECEPTICON threat. The very origins of CYBERTRON are revealed in Defiance, fully preparing fans for TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN, which picks up directly where the prequel comics leave off.
I like that companies like IDW, Red 5, and Archie Comics are going for a digital distribution through Apple’s iTunes store, I just wish the screen for reading these comics were a bit bigger.
Marvel has announced that all new and renewing subscribers to Marvel’s Digital Comics Unlimited service, not only get a slew of digital comics, but each account will also get an exclusive Hasbro Marvel Universe Nick Fury action figure.
“Hasbro is very excited to be teaming up with Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited for this exclusive giveaway,” said Billy Lagor, Senior Director of Hasbro’s Global Brand Strategy & Marketing, Marvel. “We truly value and appreciate the connection that we have with our Marvel fans and hope that shows in our action figures.”
Marvel is making it clear, you need to sign up with the service to get the figure. Or do like everyone else will do and head over to eBay and purchase one there.
Until consumers get an e-Ink color display that is larger than 5-inches, the iPhone and iPod Touch appear to be the preferred method for delivering electronic comics. Red 5’s Atomic Robo has done very well in the iTunes store, and with Dark Horse getting on board with the Terminator stuff, it comes as no surprise to see Archie Comics getting in on the action to lure the younger, tech savvy consumers by announcing it is changing its method of distribution.
“Archie is one of the characters that define comics. When people think of comic books they typically think of superheroes and Archie. We’re very excited to bring such a great, family friendly, line of comics to the iPhone.” said iVerse Media CEO, Michael Murphey. “What has impressed us the most is how forward thinking the team at Archie Comics have been. The Digital Age of Comics is here, and Archie is leading the way.”
To entice readers, the company is giving away the first issue of Archie Freshman Year through the iTunes App Store.
“This is a great opportunity for getting our comics out to the millions of Archie fans worldwide. Michael Murphey and his team at iVerse are doing a tremendous job. iVerse is the perfect partner to bring Archie into the digital age.” Jon Goldwater, CEO of Archie Comics, went on to say, “We feel that with iVerse, Archie will attract new readers like never before, while offering a new and exciting way for our long-time fans to enjoy our comics. So whether you roll up your Archie comic in your back pocket or take it with you on your iPod, everything’s Archie!”
The company also plans on releasing Little Archie, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Young Salem, and Katy Keene through the iTunes store in the near future.
Archie Comics has announced that many of its comics will now be available as a new app for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. With many other companies like Red 5’s Atomic Robo, IDW’s Star Trek, and more making huge plays in the Apple app world, it makes sense for Archie to get on teh bandwagon with iVerse.
Managing Editor, Mike Pellerito, “iPhone apps an area where Archie Comics foresees significant growth. We are focusing on iTunes with our partner iVerse. Selling our comics directly to fans electronically will expand our ability to get our comics in the hands of our fans in a whole new way. We have been included in the iPhone app with Comicology since their launch earlier this year and comics as a whole are doing very well on iTunes.”
To build anticipation of the release of the next issue of Marvel’s War of Kings, the company is giving you the chance to read the issue for free on the Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited website.
After the Skrulls threatened his kingdom during Secret Invasion, Black Bolt’s quest to ensure Inhuman dominance in the galaxy begins! The acclaimed team of writers Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, along with fan favorite artist Paul Pelletier, place the Inhumans on a crash course with the Shi’ Ar Empire and their deadly leader—Vulcan! With appearances from The Imperial Guard, Starjammers, the Guardians of the Galaxy and more, this is one cosmic war you won’t want to miss!
Unlike some of the other “free” offers, you don’t have to sign up to the Marvel DCU experience to enjoy the issue.
Press Release
Star Trek: Countdown, the official prequel to the new Star Trek movie being released by Paramount Pictures on May 8, 2009, is going to mobile devices! The four-issue mini-series is now available on Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch, and Google’s Android Mobile Devices through iVerse Media’s digital distribution technology. Visit IDWPublishing.com for more information about Star Trek: Countdown.
From director/producer J.J. Abrams (Mission: Impossible III, Lost and Alias), producer Damon Lindelof (Lost) and screenwriters and executive producers Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman (Transformers, MI: III) comes a new vision of the greatest space adventure of all time, Star Trek, featuring a young, new crew boldly going where no one has gone before. The film stars Zachary Quinto, Chris Pine, Zoë Saldana, John Cho, and Eric Bana.
Marvel has announced a brand new Spider-Girl series that will only be available as a digital comic at Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited. The series, which launches on April 15, 2009, will be written by Tom DeFalco, and drawn by Ron Frenz. If you don’t want to sign up for the digital comics version, Spectacular Spider-Girl will appear in Amazing Spider-Man Family #5 hitting stores on April 29, 2009.
Hoping to further push its online initiative, Marvel is giveing fans a chance to check out its Marvel Digital Comicis Unlimited site with a free Exiles Sketchbook. The Sketchbook is being released as a preview of the company’s upcoming new Exiles series.
It’s the rip-roaring return of everybody’s favorite pink-skinned mutant, Blink, and she’s assembled a whole new team of reality hopping heroes! Get a sneak-peak of the upcoming series brought to you by acclaimed scribe Jeff Parker and fan favorite artist Salvador Espin as they present to you an all new tale of Exiles adventure! This sketchbook includes creator commentary and a fresh, new look at some of your favorite characters like you’ve never seen them before!
Unlike some of the other “free” comics Marvel has given away on the DCU site, this one does not require you to create an account before viewing. Simply follow this link, and you’re there.
Exiles #1, with a Wolverine Art Appreciation Variant, written by Jeff Parker with art by Salvador Espin is scheduled to arrive April 08, 2009 with a cover price of $3.99.
With my recent thoughts on electronic books and digital comic distribution, I really tend to focus on the large page format, where artists can continue to create in the style they are most accustomed to. But with small being the big thing, what happens to those comics that need to be reduced to a single panel?
Balak01 (Yves Bigerel) at the Deviant Art page, has been listening to Scott McCloud and thinks there is definitely a market for the single page digital comic as it provides another unique way to tell a story.
Check it out.
about DIGITAL COMICS by ~Balak01 on deviantART
This is a really great example of making the medium work to tell a story. Without the single panel narrative, the story would completely fall apart in a 9×9 paneled piece of paper.
Perhaps comics can thrive on the small format screen.
IDW Publishing is another in the line of comic book publishers that have decided to take their wares to the web, by announcing a deal with Eagle One Media. Instead of a proprietary format, Eagle One Media and IDW are releasing titles in PDF format for a mimimum of $1.99.
Eagle One Media’s President, Eric Reichert, is excited about this new relationship. “Being able to work in partnership with IDW to make a significant number of their comics available for download to fans worldwide is a great opportunity for us. We’ve simplified the process so that comic fans can easily and quickly download complete PDF-style issues to their computer. They can also print the issues and save them to more than one computer if needed.
“Plus, with a sales price below the printed books, we give fans the opportunity to discover and try out comics which they may not have had access to in the past, in an innovative format. IDW joins our growing list of publishers who have made their comics and graphic novels available in our retail download store at: www.eagleonemedia.com.”
Taking a look at the current offering from IDW Publishing shows that Doctor Who, 30 Days of Knight, Transformers, Lokce and Key, and G.I. Joe are currently not in the Eagle One Media library.
Currently available for download are Blood-Stained Sword, Cobb, CVO, D’Airain Aventure, Doomed, Everybody’s Dead, Grumpy Old Monsters, Igor, Lore, Lost & Found, Pirat Tales, Presidential Material, ShadowPlay, Singularity 7, Snaked, and Zombies!: Feast.
Having a well known property on the list would probably be the carrot on the stick to encourage readers to check out the service. More than likely the hold up is with those creators and copyright owners who are waiting to sign off on the deal.
LOS ANGELES- February 17th, 2009 – The Digital Age of comics has begun on Google’s revolutionary Android Mobile Operating System, and BOOM! Studios and iVerse Media are proud to announce that “HEXED #1″ is the FIRST Digital Comic to be released for the platform.
On Friday, February 6th, 2009 “HEXED #1″ premiered in Google’s “Android Marketplace” and in less than 48 hours the free comic had been downloaded more than 10,000 times, and received a stellar 4.72 out of 5 rating from over 600 user reviews. “HEXED #1″ will also be avaialable on the the iPhone App Store this week.
To celebrate the holiday, Marvel is releasing a free digital comic featuring Captain America and Spider-Man at the Gettysburg Address. This digital comic arrives hot on the heels of The Amazing Spider-Man #583, where Spider-Man met President Obama.
“We were completely blown away by the overwhelming response to the Spidey Meets the President storyline. Comic book shops have not been able to keep it on shelves, so we thought it would a fitting way to celebrate President’s Day by offering free online access to all fans to view and read the storyline – including some exclusive new content – only at Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited,” says Dan Buckley, President of Marvel Publishing. “And in celebration of President Lincoln’s historic Bicentennial, we could think of no better tribute in the Marvel Universe than to have Spider-Man and Cap honoring one of his enduring legacies, the Gettysburg Address.”
While the “Gettysburg Distress” issue is free, users will need to create an account to access the content. I wonder when Marvel will release Spider-Man meets Nixon, or the super-secret Wolverine/Jimmy Carter crossover issue.
I’ve mentioned before that I’ve been a huge fan of electronic books and digital content for years. I bought one of the first e-readers commercially available, and used it until the batteries were unable to hold a charge any longer. The black- and -white interface of the e-readers of yesterday and today are perfect for reading books, but for comics — not so good.
Beyond the color issue, what else do e-reader creators, comic book publishers, and retailers need to do to make the transition to digital comics a success? I’ve got a few thoughts on that one.
If you are tired of vampires, perhaps you’d like to check out a werewolf tale set in the old west. Co-Creator of the Zuda Comics series dropped us a quick email about the launch tonight (Monday) at sundown.
Our special thanks to everyone who has helped make HIGH MOON a success in 2008. 2009 has plenty of surprises in store (along with a HIGH MOON trade in October!)
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