When Heroic Publishing first began sending me solicitations about its titles availability on WOWIO, I was pretty excited.  A free (or nearly free) digital comics distribution system that paid creators because of internal ads/sponsorships is a pretty great idea.  I was able to access new content, or in the case of some of my favorite Clockwork Storybook folk (Bill Willingham, Matthew Sturges, Mark Finn, Chris Roberson) get stuff that is out of print circulation.

When it was announced Platinum Studios was buying WOWIO and “retooling” the entire system, I was a bit hesitant after the debacle with DJ Coffman  (search our site, you’ll see DJ’s original praise for Platinum, that has now turned into hate).  I let it slide at the time because the WOWIO system appeared to be working fine for everyone, in some cases earning creators upwards of $50,000 a year in royalties - not too shabby.  Or should I say, not too shabby for the creators. According to WOWIO/Platinum the model wasn’t making them any money.

Platinum Studios is not a newbie to controversy, especially when it comes to creator rights, burning through captial, and that whole Cowboys vs. Aliens ranking issue that got the ire of many a LCS.  So when word started filtering my way that WOWIO, now owned by Platinum Studios, had not been paying creators on time under the new contract, it wasn’t a surprise and has become the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Comic Book Resources has an excellent summary of what is going on with WOWIO, or as I’m calling them now - Wow, Oh No, and how the changes are affecting everyone.

What’s more, the creators say that Platinum’s new Wowio contract leaves something to be desired. Originally, Wowio provided users with free sponsored downloads and compensated their creators with a share of the ad revenue. While this option remains in place, the new deal instituted a pageview function which allows users to view any and all of Wowio’s e-books in their entirety in low resolution on the web, an option for which the books’ creators only see 20% of the generated ad revenue.

In otherwords, “Why download or purchase, when you can read online for free?” Not too shabby for Platinum Studios, who now gets a bigger piece of the pie.

As much as I like the stuff Heroic Publishing keeps sending us, and want the indie publisher to succeed, I think I’m turning my back on covering anything about WOWIO until somebody gets a half a brain and gets the Wow, Oh No house in order.

Heroic Publishing has sent us several emails that outline some of its current and future digital and print comics.

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WOWIO relaunched yesterday under its new owner Platinum Studios, and the first thing I’ve noticed is the free sponsored downloads appear to be a thing of the past.  While you can read the issues online for free, you need to be connected to the Interweb in order to get that freebie.  If you want to download for offline reading later, the prices seem to fluctuate based on the title being offered.

That’s a real bummer.

On the plus side, when you are reading the individual pages, you can save and download the images.  You’ll have to do some renaming, but at least you aren’t stuck paying 99-cents and up for a “free” comic book. I’m sure this exploit will be fixed in the very near future, once word gets out to Platinum.

So what can you get? How about the new issue of Flare Adventures #20?

FLARE ADVENTURES #20 features a magnificent cover by comics legend Frank Brunner, plus two complete adventures.

In the classic tale, “The Night Eternal,” by Dennis Mallonee and Mark Propst, comics’ glittering goddess of the light once again takes up the mantle of Eos, goddess of the dawn, and returns to Olympus to save the realm of the gods from the machinations of the night-goddess Nyx. This adventure also features a flashback guest appearance by DARK MALICE, and surprising revelations about the history of the world of FLARE and the LEAGUE OF CHAMPIONS.

There you go.

I’ve been fairly pleased with the offerings WOWIO has been giving away for free (internal ad support) from its website.  A few weeks ago it was announced Platinum Studios purchased the company and plans on taking it global.  That relaunch is in two days.  Considering Platinum has been under fire by nearly everyone - including former Platinum Fanboy D.J. Coffman, I’m wondering if this relaunch is going to tank or if anyone will see any difference?

Thoughts?

Platinum Studios, Inc. (OTCBB:PDOS), an entertainment company that controls an international library of more than 5,600 comic book characters which it adapts, produces and licenses for all forms of media, today announced that it is in negotiations to acquire WOWIO, LLC, a leading online source for downloading digital books and comics. This acquisition would continue the expansion of Platinum Studios’ global digital media distribution strategy.

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In the second issue of Liberty Comics, Heroic Publishing tells the tale of the Menace of the Leopard God. The tale is set in 1947 and features the battle between Tigress and the Golden Warrior.

LIBERTY COMICS #2 also features Chapter One of “The Origin of Giant,” a twelve-page adventure by Dennis Mallonee and Chris Marrinan, plus a bonus three-page Liberty Girl featurette by Nat Gertler and Rusty Haller.

This issue also sees Mark Beachum jumping on board to contribute, and is the first of several projects he is working on with Heroic, including several adventures of Flare, and Fantastic Girl.

And as always, this an other Heroic Publishing titles can be found for free at WOWIO.com.

via Heroic Publishing

Heroic Publishing let Major Spoilers know that its latest issue of Flare (#37) is now available for a free download at Wowio.com.

FLARE #37 features the new twenty-page Flare adventure, “The Secrets of Lady Arcane,” written by Dennis Mallonee, with artwork by Dick Giordano and Mark Beachum. This story featuring a guest appearance by Doctor Arcane, and sets the stage for next year’s long-awaited return of Lady Arcane by revealing for the first time how Lady A and Flare first met. This issue also features an all-new seven-page story, “A Tale of Malice,” by Wilson Hill and Franco Urru, starring Dark Malice and the original Giant.

Each time I mention Wowio.com, I get at least one person asking how the Wowio system works. It is free to sign up, the titles available are free to download, but you are limited to a certain number of downloads per day. There are some great titles available via Wowio, and if your budget is tight, and you are looking for some indie comics to get your hands on, then by all means, give Wowio a go.

via Heroic Publishing

Heroic Publishing let Major Spoilers know the latest issues of Champions is available now at WOWIO.com.

CHAMPIONS #41 features Part One of the origin story, “The Birth of Raven Gold.” CHAMPIONS #42 features Part Two of the origin story, “The Making of Raven Gold.” Both chapters are by writer Wilson Hill, with artwork by J. Adam Walters and Daniel Lauer, and feature guest appearances by Flare, Lady Arcane, the League of Champions, and the fabulous Flying Fox.

CHAMPIONS #42 also includes two Flare Sunday pages by Dennis Mallonee and Gordon Purcell, plus the all-new adventure, “Foxbrats,” by Dennis Mallonee, Ciro Napolitano, and Rob Lansley, starring Icestar and the Flying Fox, with a special guest appearance by Icestar’s obnoxious kid sister, Icicle.

via Heroic Publishing

Heroic Publishing has announced the latest issue of Champions is available now for free from WOWIO.com.

CHAMPIONS #41 features three complete adventures! First, ICESTAR is featured in the classic adventure, “On Ice,” by David Berge and Jim Valentino. Then Icestar’s kid sister, ICICLE, has a “Confrontation with the Huntsman,” by Dennis Mallonee and Lou Manna. Finally, in an all-new tale, “The Birth of Raven Gold” features the unexpected origin of the world’s greatest little sneak thief, with guest appearances by FLARE and the FLYING FOX.

If you aren’t into the electronic version of comics, Heroic Publishing did tell Major Spoilers the print copy will be released later this year.

You can download the Champions #41 and other Heroic Publishing titles for free at WOWIO.com.

via Heroic Publishing

Nearly every title in Heroic Publishing’s line is available on the free download service wowio.com (the free downloads are supported by internal ads). The latest release features the Tigress in Champions #40.

CHAMPIONS #40 includes three complete adventures. First, the all-new TIGRESS crosses paths with Flare’s friendliest enemy, the winsome WHIPPERETTE, in an all-new adventure by Wilson Hill and Dick Giordano. Long-time Flare-fans take note: The villain of this piece is none other than ERIK SCHADEL, the sinister sorcerer who wields the power of DEMON, the man who just might be Flare’s father. Then, for the first time in color, CAPTAIN THUNDER AND BLUE BOLT star in “At Last, the Secret,” by Roy & Dann Thomas, Howard Simpson, and E. R. Cruz. Finally, FLARE herself makes a surprise appearance in the pages of CHAMPIONS in the all-new adventure, “Flare’s Lost Costume,” by Wilson Hill and Duval Stowers.

via Heroic Publishing