DC just announced that day and date comics are now available in Apple’s iBookstore, Amazon’s Kindle store and Barnes & Noble’s Nook store. Basically DC is releasing individual comics across the three major digital platforms in their native formats. Yes, Comixology is already available on the iPad, Kindle and Nook but now DC is offering their comics across the board. This is a big step to remove Comixology as a digital comic monopoly.
Another interesting twist is an opportunity to get a discount on your digital comics immediately on release date. Here’s a quick shot from Barnes & Noble showing a new comic from today at a 13% discount; this was working for a few hours but now there’s no discount on these DC issues. Hmm. So the only way to get them cheaper is by buying iTunes gift cards at a discount: they’re frequently 20% off in Southern Ontario.
Now we’re only a few steps away from DRM free digital comics, aren’t we? Probably not. DC is doing this to spread their product to as many platforms and locations as possible. Businesses are there to make money, and getting your product everywhere is the way to do that. Of course there’s a Kindle and Nook app available for pretty much every platform so they may be the better bet when “future proofing” your comics purchases. Here’s Jim Lee commenting.
“As e-readers and tablets continue to explode in popularity it’s important for us to offer consumers convenience and choice in how they download digital comics and graphic novels and these new distribution deals with the top three e-bookstores do just that,” said Jim Lee, co-publisher, DC Entertainment. “We’re very excited to work with Amazon, Apple and Barnes & Noble to bring bestselling DC Comics and Vertigo periodicals to their e-bookstores.”
It’s a great move and let’s hope Marvel, Dark Horse and perhaps Fantagraphics and IDW will follow suit.
