If you’re a comic geek, like me, then you probably caught yesterday’s big story- DC Comics is rebooting their entire line. While this is interesting to many, it may puzzle you as to why I’d mention it here.
FTA:
In an even more important move in the competitive comics industry, DC is making all of the re-numbered titles available digitally via apps and a DC website the same day they arrive in comic shops. It marks the first time that a major comics publisher has done so with its popular superhero titles.
This is the techciting bit. DC Comics is now going to be the first major publisher to have their entire line available digitally, on the same day they release the print books (Marvel Comics does this for one sub-line). I’m waiting on details of pricing, etc, but this is a good move altogether.
Why? Because every time new comic book movies come out, people who come out of the films and want to buy comics have to search them out. It’s easy, sure, but with comics no longer on the newsstand, it takes actual effort.
Imagine if, instead, someone who just saw Thor could turn on their Android tablet or iPad, and search on “Thor” (especially easy with iOS, as the iTunes store now let’s you search on comics).
When the iPad first came out people were touting it as the future of comic book reading and the savior of the entire industry. That was a bit hyperbolic, as the content just was not there. Now, however, we may be getting somewhere.
I’m so glad they finally decided to embrace the digital age. Not that I like reading comics that way but I think it will open up new doors for new readers. Although I’m not sure about the whole reboot thing..