Digital Interface

How ComiXology Will Support Independent Creators

2011-07-14T04:09:00.000-07:00

eBookNewser has a nifty new article profiling comiXology's CEO David Steinberger. Of interest to independent and small press creators is this:

"We are empowering smaller publishers and creators to get digital distribution through our platform with our Guided View Authoring Tools program will help level the playing field by giving independent creators and publishers an equal chance for visibility in the digital marketplace through a standard format and ubiquitous platform. We have a program in the works that will empower partnering comic retailers to sell digital comics through their websites as part of our continued support".

Check out the article for more!

ELDRITCH! conjures up some magic!

2011-07-07T04:11:00.000-07:00

ELDRITCH! is a morbidly delicious collaboration between me and the grotesquely talented Drew Rausch, co-creator of Sullengrey and Aaron Alexovich, the mind-boggling genius behind Serenity Rose.Their series, which was featured and celebrated by DC Comics, is currently distributed by them on a variety of different e-reading platforms for just .99 cents!

Do yourself a favor and pick it up TODAY!

No More Digital Comics on the PSP

2011-07-07T03:35:00.000-07:00

Today, Sony announced that "this week will be the final update for digital comics on the PSP."

As they mention in their blog post, their " Digital Comics Team will continue to work on bringing the comic service to other Sony devices."

The PSP famously carried many of DC's popular tittles, including Azure, High Moon, Batman, Sandman, many of their licensed Wildstorm titles and more. The PSP also included a vast libary with over 4000 comics from various publishers including IDW, Markosia, and Marvel, among others.

Apple's iPad commands 1% of all web traffic after just one year

2011-07-06T15:07:00.000-07:00

While not specifically about comics, the following report released from AppleInsider, really hammers home the impact of the iPad:

Recent statistics from analytics firm Net Applications' NetMarketShare report show the iPad has continued to grow worldwide since its launch in early 2010. The tablet recently broke the 1 percent mark in worldwide browsing and accounts for 2 percent of browsing in the U.S.

The report showed the iPad to have “53 times the usage share of its nearest competitor,” the Android-based Samsung Galaxy Tab throughout May. Apple's tablet also dwarfed the third-placed Motorola Xoom tablet's share of global web browsing with a share 76 times greater. In addition when compared to the Research in Motion's Blackberry PlayBook, the iPad has roughly 306 times the usage.

Double Your Pleasure with DOUBLE FEATURE

2011-07-03T06:32:00.000-07:00

If you haven't had the opportunity to check out the digital comics app DOUBLE FEATURE, you are missing out on some fantastic innovations in digital storytelling. With new content every month, Double Feature promises to re-capture the excitement of the digital comics age.

Every month, readers are treated to two illustrated stories by some of the best creators in the comics business. Furthermore, each issue comes with exclusive creator commentary and nifty behind the scenes features. Better still, every issue is still less than a buck!

The newest release of the app also feature:

Push Notifications: To let reader know when there's a new issue available.
Faster page flipping.
Navigational fixes
Each story also contains a selection of hi-res art perfectly sized to fit the lock- or home-screen of your iPad! Just click the “picture” button on the toolbar to see a list of images you can can use to create wallpaper for your iPad!

So, do yourself a favor and check out these fantastic creator owned digital comics on Double Feature Comics!

Advertisers Eying Digital Comics

2010-08-17T04:52:00.000-07:00

Are digital comics the next big thing in online advertising? According to the marketing website Clickz, major comics publishers and digital comics providers are currently exploring that possibility. But by "advertising" we don't just mean a pop-up ad for a dating site on your digital issue of Iron Man. The article "Digital Comics Show Potential As An Ad Platform" explores all the marketing possibilities, which include advertiser sponsorships for free first issues and custom comics like the recent Inception: The Cobol Job -- which was essentially a free advertisement for the movie.

Why would ads on digital comics potentially perform better than print? Well, if the same demographic & keyword targeting technology was used on the digital comics reader as is currently used on Google, Facebook, etc., ads specifically aimed at the user could flash at the bottom of their comic book. So instead of blindly advertising Yum Yum Bars to the average Superman comic reader, you could target that ad to the contingent most likely to enjoy Yum Yum Bars. Further, you could track user engagement by how many people clicked through to the Yum Yum Bars site.

Advertising on digital, from a marketing research standpoint, is a far more exact science than advertising in print.

Then there is the whole concept of integrated marketing, which is touched upon by the sponsorships & custom comics mentioned earlier.

SAMPLE INTEGRATED MARKETING CAMPAIGN FOR YUM YUM BARS
1. Three-way partnership between digital comics provider, comics publisher, and Yum Yum Bars. The digital comics provider furnishes the advertising platform, and the publisher furnishes the content.

2. Free digital download of "Strongman" #1 sponsored by Yum Yum Bars.

3. Ads promoting the free issue featured on "homepage" of digital comics store. Link to free comic.

4. Ads promoting Yum Yum Bars featured during the "Strongman #1" comic. This could be a physical ad worked into the "pages" of the digital comic -- but most likely a banner ad of some kind that is present via the digital comics reader. This ad could be clicked off, or collapsed into a one-line ad that is less intrusive. The ad would, of course, lead to the Yum Yum Bars site.

5. There could also be an interstitial ad for Yum Yum Bars flashing halfway through the comic -- similar to what Hulu does with their ads. You can't scroll past this ad.

6. Now, the comics publisher could also work with Yum Yum Bars to create a custom comic featuring Yum Yum Bars.

7. A digital comics provider could also offer free "comic bucks" for anyone who clicks on certain ads or downloads custom comics.

Really, the possibilities are endless here; it opens up a whole new realm of advertising & marketing via comic books.

Digital Comics News Round-Up, 8/16/10

2010-08-12T13:54:00.001-07:00

"The problem with tying Iron Man so closely with what is happening today in the tech world, is that in three years, the story will feel dated. Showing every second character in the story carrying an iPhone-like device is the best way to limit the appeal of the story to just a few months. When someone reads the collected edition of this book in five years, in ten years, the geeky world of apps and smartphone look du jour will not translate well and will limit this story to an exploration of the year 2010."
--Hervé St. Louis, review of The Invincible Iron Man #29

"The Manga and iPad Romance" The Wall Street Journal reports on the success of digital manga sales in Japan since the iPad debuted in that country at the end of May:

"E-book downloads of anime titles onto the tablet reader sprinted past the number of reads downloaded onto its sister gadget the iPhone in July, according to eBook Initiative Japan Co., a Tokyo-based e-book distribution website. Consumers downloaded 600 digital mangas onto the iPad via the online distributor last month, according to the site. That may not be a huge number, but the iPad has only been in Japan since the end of May, and the 600 is still twice the number of titles downloaded in iPhone version."

"Hey Archie! Want To Build An Empire?" A fascinating article from The New York Times regarding Archie Comics' success over the last year. Among the reasons given for Archie's overall resurgence: embracing the digital realm. The publisher claims that for them, digital sales have not cannibalized print. Also: they have plans for digital-exclusive content starring Josie and the Pussycats, Katy Keene, and Li'l Jinx.

"Pocket God Comics almost heavenly" Appolicious reviews Ape Entertainment's Pocket God digital comic and gives it 4 out of 5 bars, writing "This new installation of Pocket God Comics brings a new dimension to the already loved app."

"Comixology Scores Another Digital Hit With Scott Pilgrim" Venture Beat profiles the digitak comics incarnation of Scott Pilgrim by comiXology/Oni, and reports that it is the top grossing app in Apple's App Store.

iPad, Friend Or Foe? YourKloset explores whether the iPad is a friend or foe to the traditional comic book. The post makes some really good points as to why the hardcore comics fan might not switch to digital...

"If comic book buyers love one thing, it’s tradition and continuity, hence the reason old characters have survived for decades, despite the attempt to kill or replace them. For some, going to the comic book store is also a social event. Readers meet other fans, and discuss stories with shopkeepers and with each other. And since comic book stores are steeped in as much tradition as the books fans read, comics are not likely to die anytime soon."

...but fails to explore how digital comics might also bring in new readers.

"Apple to turn your gaming exploits into comic books" And finally, an intriguing bit of news from PC World regarding Apple's latest patent application: a system that will not only keep track of your progress/roles in certain video games, but allow you to create a printable comic book from it.

CNN.com Article On Digital Comics

2010-08-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

CNN's Henry Hanks takes a closer look on the burgeoning market for digital comics -- and the role the iPad is playing in their popularity:

"Industry observers say the iPad's size, portability and color screen make it a good fit for reading comics. Before the tablet computer launched in April, fans could read digital comics in several ways, neither of which were ideal: on a desktop or laptop computer, or via a smartphone's tiny screen, panel by panel. As for e-readers, which are primarily made for black-and-white text -- forget it."

A range of industry figures and bloggers were interviewed for the article -- including yours truly.

The CNN piece continues a recent trend of an increased mainstream media spotlight on digital comics, no doubt started by last month's San Diego Comic Con.

Top 10 Free And Paid Digital Comics Apps

2010-08-12T06:19:00.000-07:00

Top 10 Free Digital Comics Apps
Source: The App Store, 8/12/2010
*app's rank within the App Store overall Books category in parentheses

1. Marvel Comics (3)
2. Scott Pilgrim (6)
3. Comixology (15)
4. DC Comics (19)
5. iVerse (Comics +) (26)
6. Archie Comics (30)
7. Disney Digicomics (38)
8. Real Maid 7 Free Manga (53)
9. WWE Heroes #0 (56)
10. Pure Love Comics Free Manga (59)

Top 10 Paid Digital Comics Apps
Source: The App Store, 8/12/2010
*app's rank within the App Store overall Books category in parentheses

1. Pocket God $0.99 (1)
2. i Manga X (Manga web browser) $1.99 (32)
3. Sonic Universe #1 $0.99 (36)
4. Star Wars: Empire - Betrayal #1 $0.99 (51)
5. Star Wars: Resurrection $2.99 (76)
6. Manga Viewer for Bleach $1.99 (77)
7. McSweeney's $5.99 (80)
8. Manga Viewer for Naruto $3.99 (96)
no more comics apps in listed 100 top book apps

Spotlight: Scott Pilgrim Digital Comics App

2010-08-11T09:37:00.000-07:00

With the highly-anticipated movie hitting theaters soon, it will be interesting to see if the new Scott Pilgrim app from comiXology & Oni Press will get the same sort of large boost from the mass-market audience that Watchmen received in lieu of its own film. With the app, an iPhone or iPad user has access to all the books in the series, and more. Let's see what we get.

First, the free app grants the reader two free Scott Pilgrim comics:

The first 34 pages of Vol. 1
The Free Comic Book Day story "Free Scott Pilgrim"

Then readers can purchase, in-app, Vols. 1 through 6 of Scott Pilgrim. Each volume of the acclaimed graphic novel series is $6.99, with the final 200-page book priced at $11.99. Included are all the bonus materials that appeared in the original print versions.

Once readers purchase their comics through the Scott Pilgrim app, they will also have access to their comics on the comiXology app.

The Scott Pilgrim app launched on Apple's App Store on Tuesday. "Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World" will hit theaters Friday.

Scott Pilgrim iTunes Store Page

iVerse/Comics+ New Releases 8/11/10

2010-08-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

Here are the new releases from iVerse's Comics + app for 8/11/10

iVerse website
iTunes App page

Archangel Studios:

The Red Star #5, 6, 7

Archie Comics:

Archie & Friends #144

Betty #186

Sabrina Manga #25, 26, 27, 28

The Matchmakers - graphic novel

Will You Marry Me? - graphic novel

BOOM! Studios:

Irredeemable #15

Kill Audio #2

Swordsmith Assassin #1

The Anchor #8

Unthinkable #5

Dynamite:

The Complete Dracula #1

The Complete Dracula #2

Icon:

Criminal #7, 8

IDW:

G.I. Joe: Origins #17

Mystery Society #2

Pantheon #4

Transformers #9

Marvel Comics:

Daredevil #90

Eternals Vol.3 #7

Immortal Iron Fist #8

Incredible Hulk #93, 94

New X-Men #16

X-Men #176

Uncanny X-Men #176

Seven Seas:

Aoi House #3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Avalon: The Warlock Diaries #1

New Digital Comics Releases - PSP 8/11/10

2010-08-11T08:23:00.000-07:00

New PSP Digital Comics releases for the week of 8/11/2010
link to PSP Digital Comics blog
link to get started with PSP Digital Comics

Highlights this week include:

The start of Y The Last Man
The free Zuda comic Safe Inside #1
A whole bunch of Disney comics
The entire run of the 2008 Marvel miniseries Venom: Dark Origin

2000AD Prog #1692 - 2000AD
Archie #606 - Archie Comics
The Authority #5 - DC Comics
Bayou #7 - DC Comics
Breathe #2 - Markosia
Deadly #2 - DC Comics
DMZ #17 - DC Comics
Eternal Descent #3 - IDW
Ex Machina #4 - DC Comics
Fables #19 - DC Comics
Gen13 #25 - DC Comics
Green Lantern: No Fear #1 - DC Comics
Growing Up Enchanted #1 - Markosia
Hit-Monkey (2010) #1 - Marvel
Jonah Hex #17 - DC Comics
Mickey Kid and Goofy Six Shots #1 & #2 - Disney Digicomics
The Murder of King Tut #2 - IDW
Mystery Society #2 - IDW
Planetary #6 DC Comics
Powers (2000) #19 & #20 - Icon
Powers (2000) Annual - Icon
Rockerduck and the Summer of Revenge - Disney Digicomics
Safe Inside - DC Comics
Scrooge McDuck and the Awesome Crawling Sand - Disney Digicomics
Stormwatch PHD #17 - DC Comics
Venom: Dark Origin (2008) #1-#5 - Marvel
Wildcats #5 - DC Comics
Wizards of Mickey II - Disney Digicomics
X-Mickey - Disney Digicomics
Y: The Last Man #1 & #2 - DC Comics
G.I. Joe #19 - IDW

Digital Comics News Round-Up, 8/11/10

2010-08-11T05:42:00.000-07:00

"Finally, lose the splash-screen of the girl in the cat-suit. I already look weird enough reading comic-books in public. I don’t need the app to make me look like a hentai-loving pervert every time I fire it up."
-- Charlie Sorrel, Wired review of the comic reading app ComicBookPad

Sorry I'm late with the news round-up this week -- I've been busy setting up the Lulu Awards. We've got a huge amount of items to cover...so let's just dive right in!

"Comics Don't Cry: The iPadization Of The Medium" Timothy Callahan at Comic Book Resources described a recent trip he took with only a volume of Scott Pilgrim -- and a bunch of comics on his iPad:

"The iPad lets you linger a bit more, and Comixology encourages close, panel-by-panel reading, in a way that I found transformative to the experience. It's not like I usually skip panels or ignore word balloons, but by having the frame so purely focused on a single image and a single set of words, I found myself less distracted by what else was going on in the page. I know that sounds a bit ridiculous, and page composition is a major part of storytelling – a part of storytelling that I teach when I run my comic book workshops – but, as I've said, the old rules? They no longer apply."

Marvel Comics Declared "Winner" In The Battle Of The iPad Comic Apps: Mac News World has declared Marvel Comics the "winner" of the iPad comic app race, and gives their extensive review of both Marvel and DC's apps. The story was also covered by HuffPo.

"Comixology, Oni Talk Digital Scott Pilgrim" - Newsarama profiles the just-released Scott Pilgrim app from Oni & comiXology.

"Pocket God Digital Volcano Erupts" - Ape Entertainment announces that their digital comic Pocket God is one of the fastest-rising paid comic-book apps, surpassing 25,000 downloads in its first week of release.

"The Incongruity Of DC comics On The iPad" Bleeding Cool takes a closer look at the Apple rating system for apps, and brings up some comics from DC that might be more suited for 17+ than 12+.

"Who Are All These Lapsed Comics iPad Readers Anyway?" Todd Allen at Publishers Weekly interviews Arc Technology Group owner Robert Jacobi -- a man who reads his comics exclusively on the iPad. Jacobi was a lapsed comic book fan who was reintroduced to the medium via a digital reading device:

"Love the iPad for comics! There are some small changes I might make to the reading apps but overall the convenience of being able to grab a comic is just great. The viewing experience is very pleasurable as well. I'd definitely recommend the stores getting much more of their content online for sure and higher resolution panels since I like to view panel to panel in "zoomed" mode. I've certainly spent more money on digital versions than print in the last year. I don't need to worry about storage or maintenance (I never throw out the paper, but am not a serious collector). And back to convenience, I love just being able to sit at home on a rainy day, pick a comic and if I like it go through the next half dozen or dozen instead of hitting the movies (which these days costs the same after popcorn and drink)."

Heroic Age: One Month To Live To Be Released Digitally One Week After Print: Marvel's weekly mini-series Heroic Age: One Month To Live will be released through their app one week after seeing print. The five-issue series will be released throughout September. link

"Hands-On With ComicBookPad" Wired reviews the comic book reading app ComicBookPad, and compares it to Comic Zeal.

One Of The Strangest Digital Comics You'll Ever Read: Matthew Brady profiles Warren Craghead's unique webcomic "A Sort Of Autobiography" -- a comic you print out, put together in a series of cubes, and read. So basically it starts of digital, takes a drive through print, and ends up a three-dimensional, tactile experience.

"This is not going to be a slow growth process; I predict it will be extremely fast." Christopher Daley at the Rocket Llama blog gives his take on the SDCC digital comics panel and suggests that publishers have better things to do than focus on DRM and comics pirating:

"People who are downloading your products illegally are not going to be customers. If you want to go down the music industry road and start lavishing huge amounts of money and attention on shutting them down be my guest. I can tell you what it will get you, nothing. You won’t be able to stop it. You will likely look bad in the process and you will have wasted valuable time and money you could have spent growing your business."

He also thinks the digital age of comics is fast upon us, and that there is not much time to experiment and "see what happens."

"Physical Media will be here to stay" And finally, Games-On-Smash's Charles King discusses why he thinks there will always be physical media, and the downside to digital only.

Review: Disney Digicomics

2010-08-06T11:47:00.000-07:00

Disney Digicomics is a bright, colorful and straightforward digital comics app for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch that kids and kids-at-heart will love.

The first thing you'll notice when you download Disney Digicomics is an option to read the comics in either Italian or English. This is because the bulk of the stories on the app were (at least, as of this writing), originally created by Italian writers and artists; Disney comics of the Mickey and Donald variety are still quite popular in Italy.

Another thing to keep in mind about the content is that a good portion of them are action-adventure oriented. You'll read the adventures of the Ultraheroes --a realm where Superduck and Superdaisy fight crime; the super-spy Doubleduck; and the fantasy-style Wizards of Mickey. Plus: tons and tons of Uncle Scrooge adventures.

Having read a bunch of these stories in print form, I think they're great for kids and have just enough sophistication to hold the interest of adults. But enough about the content...let's take a look at the app!

Disney Digicomics read great on the iPhone: the individual panels are cropped well and flow beautifully as the story unfolds. Whoever puts these books together for the app obviously understands what makes an effective smartphone comic. I haven't yet seen Disney Digicomics on the iPad, but I have to imagine it looks fabulous. Part of the appeal is really just the nature of the content -- big bold colors on a glowing screen.

Prices for the Digicomics range from $0.99 to $1.99, with "specials" priced at $2.99+. I wonder if $1.99 might be too pricey for a single issue, unless it's a brand-new release. While they didn't offer free comics, I received a free download of the complete first issue of a Disney Christmas Carol the second time I checked into the app on my phone.

All in all, a nice app to share with your kids! I'm really interested to see if in the future Disney expands the offerings on this app, or ends up trying something completely new. Remember: Disney owns Marvel now. Will their digital comics goals sync up at some point?

Disney Digicomics at the iTunes Store

Has DC Pulled Vertigo Comics From Its App?

2010-08-06T05:30:00.000-07:00

A casual look this morning at the DC Comics app's offerings for the iPhone & iPad will reveal a very interesting fact -- there's no more Vertigo Comics titles.

Nope, no Fables or The Unwritten or DMZ anywhere.

However, the most recent digital releases of these titles are still available on the comiXology app, as well as the PSP.

Did DC pull the Vertigo material because it was considered "adult?" Did they feel they would sell better to the more diverse crowds who frequent comiXology and PSP? Has there been an exclusive deal struck with a digital comics provider outside of DC proper to distribute these titles?

All I know is: there's no Vertigo anymore on the DC app. Does this make Zuda the default "Vertigo" for DC in-app purchases of indy-flavored material?

Digital Comics News Round-Up, 8/06/10

2010-08-06T04:45:00.000-07:00

"It seems that I could be doing more webcomics if only I knew lots of published professional comics artists who don’t like money, food or shelter. Which is a shame, really, because I’d like to do more digital comics. But the process is a bit like doing a comic at Image, except with a far less tested and predictable distribution and revenue stream."
--Warren Ellis

Digital comics -- and its possible threat to traditional comics culture -- is still a hot topic in the mainstream news. Let's dive in.

"Digital Age Changing The World Of Comics"

This short news feature from NBC News is currently making the rounds on the websites of local television news stations. Shot in SDCC, it interviews a couple of fans as well as Ira Rubenstein from Marvel Comics.

"The Future of Comics In The Digital Age"

KPBS' "Culture Lust" column examines the possible impact of "The iPad Effect" on the comics industry. A couple of useful stats I pulled from it:

Comics is a $680 million dollar a year industry.
Digital comics presently makes up $1 million of that industry, and is growing.

The article also brings up the fear that digital comics will kill the collectables market, because people can now read their back-issues online. I don't think people who are into buying vintage comics are not the same crowd who might download Slingers #3 because they never got to read that issue. Vintage comics seems a like a separate animal, purchased as much for being artifacts as for their stories.

Japan's NTT Solmare Brings Comics To Vietnam

Japan's leading mobile comics service provider, NTT Solmare, inked a deal with the Tinh Van group to provide digital comics and cartoons to Vietnamese mobile devices:

"NTT Somare President Hiroki Oohashi said Southeast Asia is a dynamic and potential market. The deal on strategic cooperation with the Tinh Van group would make Japanese digital comics and cartoons available in Vietnam as soon as possible and they would be warmly welcomed by Vietnamese mobile device users."

It is believed that this move will build a significant bridge between the two Asian cultures. All comics will be translated into Vietnamese. link

"Why The Mobile App Store Bubble Will Burst"

The Register quotes one leading analyst's negative view of the mobile app store development scene -- taking smartphone producers like Nokia sternly to task, but leaving Apple relatively unscathed. Marek Pawlowski, organizer of the industry's MEX conference, wrote:

"How long can so many individual companies support so many individual app stores and so many individual platforms? The economics simply do not add up. Every company, with the possible exception of Apple, is operating their app store and developer programme at a substantial loss. This cannot continue indefinitely."

Bleeding Cool's "The Digital Dump"

And finally, venerable comics website Bleeding Cool has just started a column just on digital comics: "The Digital Dump." Readers of Bleeding Cool seemed to welcome the addition, and a couple of interesting tidbits came out of the comments section of the first post:

A hint by Avatar Comics, who sponsors Bleeding Cool, that they might be throwing their hat in the digital arena soon.
An observation by a reader that DC Comics has apparently pulled their Vertigo imprint from their digital comics app (more on that later).

Digital Comics News Round-Up, 8/5/10

2010-08-05T04:12:00.000-07:00

Welcome to an overview of the latest news stories and opinion pieces on the digital comics revolution! Let's dig into it --

"The Next Marvel Is Out There"
Financial website Motley Fool profiles comics as THE business to invest in. Of particular interest to this blog is a quote from comics retailer & historian Robert Beerbohm: "we'll be reading nothing but digital comics in a few years, Beerbohm predicts..."

"Living Dead Booksellers"
Another recent article from Motley Fool about the financial troubles of major booksellers Borders and Barnes and Noble. Not comics, but I think it's good to read just to get a wider perspective:

"The arrival of e-books is swiftly disrupting the bookselling industry, and companies like Amazon.com (Nasdaq: AMZN) and Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) are formidable rivals in the digital realm. On the old-school side of things (not to be confused with the Old Ones side of things), discounters like Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), Target, and Costco (Nasdaq: COST) all sell best-sellers at bargain-basement prices -- another serious blow to booksellers' traditional strengths."

"Pocket God Rockets To #1"

The New York Post does a story on Pocket God Comics #1's rise to the top of the paid book app list -- as well as a preview of the comic! Talk about layering a mass appeal (the highly popular app game Pocket God) with a mass market news source. Is this how the comics of the future will reach a brand new audience?

"Going Digital"
Comics creator/publisher/blogger Randy Reynaldo gives his SDCC wrap-up, which includes an unique insider look at how comics creators are "courted" at the convention by digital comics providers:

"Like many publishers, I was approached by several people seeking content for their digital comics startup. I was even invited to a presentation/pitch meeting for a company recently acquired by digital publisher Wowio. (They clearly spent a lot of money to be noticed—the presentation included free lunch, and took place on a yacht that was moored at a slip right behind the convention center!)

Across the board, all the proposed agreements from the startups were non-exclusive, with the creators retaining ownership, including print, and licensing rights. This may seem like a no-brainer in this day and age, but it’s significant for an industry that was built on the backs of work-for-hire creators who signed over the ownership of characters like Superman and Captain America that went on to become licensing bonanzas and pop culture icons, and who subsequently profited very little, if at all, from their creations. Back then, early comics publishers were desperate for content as well."

"Upheaval in the Manga Industry: Piracy, Scanlations, and the Future of Digital Manga"
Comics Alliance has an in-depth look at the future of Manga in the digital universe:

"There is a generation of fans who not only are okay with reading manga online, but prefer it to print. Who's going to fill that niche now that the publishers are working to eliminate scanlators? Online digital comics are the elephant in the room in the American comics industry, and it's no different in the manga industry, where officially licensed digital distribution is still in its infancy."

The PSP Digital Comics Blog
Finally, I want to turn your attention to the excellent Playstation Digital Comics blog. Unlike some digital comics providers, they make a post about their new releases punctually every week, along with commentary on highlights. Pay particular attention to the rapport the readers of the blog have with its writer (and, in turn, Playstation). This is the model every digital comics provider should follow. New Release Day should be a special day in the digital realm as well as print. You need to really treat it as such, if you are a digital comics provider. Note: there are two blogs: Playstation proper (where the majority of comments are), and then a secondary Digital Comics blog.

Pocket God Comics Debuts As #1 Paid Book App

2010-08-04T19:46:00.000-07:00

Ape Entertainment's Pocket God Comics #1 made a stunning debut today at #1 on the App Store's list of paid book apps.

The 99-cent issue, based on Bolt Creative's popular Pocket God game app (which has surpassed 3 million downloads), has the unique distinction of being released as a digital comic one month before it sees print. The four-issue limited series is being offered on the iVerse Comic + app; you buy the initial app once, and then purchase the remaining issues as in-app purchases.

With fans of the immensely popular game anxiously awaiting its next episode, did the videogame connection push Pocket God Comics sales over the top? Or was Bolt Creative & Ape Entertainment's extensive PR campaign for the book, which included a blog and a contest to help get the upcoming print edition in comic stores, a crucial factor as well?

There's tons of media coverage for the comic, including The NY Post and a number of videogame sites (like this review from Gamezebo).

It will be interesting to see if Pocket God remains on top of Apple's paid book app list -- and if other comic book publishers start putting out their own versions of other popular game apps (Angry Birds: The Comic, anyone?).

Link: iTunes Pocket God Comics page

New Digital Comics Releases - Comics + (iVerse)

2010-08-04T17:55:00.000-07:00

Here are the new releases from iVerse's Comics + for 8/4/10

iVerse website
iTunes App page

Ape Entertaiment:

Pocket God #1

Archie Comics:

Sabrina: Manga #23
Sabrina: Manga #24
Sonic the Hedgehog #212
Sonic the Hedgehog #213

Bluewater Productions:

Black Scorpion #4

BOOM! Studios:

Cold Space #2
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?: Dust To Dust #1
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?: Dust To Dust #2
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?: Dust To Dust #12
Kill Audio #1
The Anchor #7
Unthinkable #4

IDW:

G.I. Joe #20
Kill Shakespeare #3
Transformers: Ironhide #3

Image Comics:

Dodge's Bullets #1

Marvel Comics:

Daredevil #89
Eternals Vol. 3 #5
Eternals Vol.3 #6
Immortal Iron Fist #7
Incredible Hulk #92
New X-Men #14
New X-Men #15
World War Hulk #5
X-Men #174
X-Men #175

Seven Seas:

Arkham Woods #1
Arkham Woods #2
Arkham Woods #3-4
Arkham Woods #5
Destiny's Hand #1
Destiny's Hand #2
Destiny's Hand #3
Destiny's Hand #4
Destiny's Hand #5

New Digital Comics Releases - PSP

2010-08-04T17:41:00.000-07:00

New PSP Digital Comics releases for the week of 8/04/2010
link to PSP Digital Comics blog
link to get started with PSP Digital Comics

Highlights this week include:

Aladdin from Disney Digicomics
A whole lot of Zuda offerings, including new issues for Bayou, Bottle of Awesome, and High Moon
Free comics (FREE!) including Deadly #1, Superman: War of the Supermen #0, and a preview of True Blood #1
A bunch of Vampire Hunter D to satisfy your Manga kick

2000AD Prog #1691: 2000AD
Aladdin: Disney Digicomics
The Authority #4: DC Comics
Bayou #4, #5 & #6: DC Comics
Bottle of Awesome #2: DC Comics
Captain America (2004) #31-#36: Marvel
Deadly #1 (FREE!): DC Comics
DMZ #16: DC Comics
Donald-Ali and Mustafa's Jug: Disney Digicomics
Donald Duck and the Backyard Beaches; Disney Digicomics
Ex Machina #3: DC Comics
Fables #18: DC Comics
Gen13 #24: DC Comics
Green Lantern: Secret Origin #7: DC Comics
Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War - Epilogue: DC Comics
High Moon #6: DC Comics
Jonah Hex #16: DC Comics
Kingdom Come #4: DC Comics
The Lexian Chronicles #10: Markosia
Marvel Zombies 2 (2007) #5: Marvel
Mickey Mouse and the Jolly Camper Brigade: Disney Digicomics
Peg Leg Pete's Memorable Night: Disney Digicomics
Powers (2000) #17 & #18: Icon
Project Eon #4 Markosia
Stormwatch PHD #15 & #17: DC Comics
Superman: War of the Supermen #0 (FREE!): DC Comics
True Blood: Preview (FREE!): DC Comics
Ultraheroes #7: Disney Digicomics
The Unwritten #5: DC Comics
Vampire Hunter D Volume 2 #3-#6: IDW
Wildcats: DC Comics

Digital Comics News Round-Up, 8/3/10

2010-08-03T06:39:00.000-07:00

"Yes, the unavoidable onslaught of the digitization of comics has begun. I'm sure all of us saw this coming. I know most true fans/collectors won't be dissuaded from buying "hard copies" of comic books, but this will definitely put a crimp in casual sales. But like I said, it really is unavoidable (dang progress). The only part of this that bothers me is releasing the digital copy and print copy on the same day. We all know THAT is also inevitable."
--David Loftus of AK Comics in Beloit, Wisconsin, ICv2 Talk Back

A hearty hello to Val's Digital Comics Page readers! This is the semi-regular scoop of what people are talking about on teh Internets about comics for the iPhone and iPad, online comics, and the digital comics revolution.

"David Steinberger Talks Captain Action And Comixology"
First up, an interview with comiXology's David Steinberger on First Comics News, who is referred to in the article as "the Diamond Distribution of Digital Comics." While Steinberger was flattered by such a illustrious title, he was quick to point out that he feels comiXology doesn't have a monopoly on the digital comics market. In addition to some interesting insights about producing and distributing digital comics, he also discusses "Captain Action" month at comiXology.

"Robot 13: Indie Comic Breaks 100,000 Mark On Mobiles"
The comic Robot 13 by Thomas Hall and Daniel Bradford claims to be one of the first independently-produced comics to break the 100,000+ mark. In the announcement on the Robot Comics site they make some interesting comparisons with how such numbers would fare on the Diamond Top 300:

"A true-blue indie label comic garnering 100,000+ readers is an unparalleled triumph for both independents and digital comics alike. There are few such comics that make it onto Diamonds’ Top 300 for any given month, and none that rise above the 10,000 order mark. Robot 13, on the Android market alone, Robot 13, with Android Market downloads alone, would be at the #2 position of Diamond Top 300 of June 2010!"

"Beau Smith Loves His iPad"
Comics Creator & columnist Beau Smith announces his love for his new iPad over at Comics Bulletin:

"I hope this helps in your own personal quest to see if the iPad is for you or not. As a reader, I love it. It won't take the place of comics, but it's a great steering wheel that will take non-traditional readers to the world of comics. Don't believe those people that tell you it's going to kill print comics and close down direct market comic stores, it's not. Look back in history, when television came out there were those that thought it would kill the movies. They were wrong too. Let me know how your quest goes."

However, Smith's rather balanced view of the iPad didn't prevent him from immediately being attacked in the Comics Bulletin forums as advocating the "killing" of the direct market. I guess this is becoming an "you're either completely for us or against us" argument for some people.

"Rising Trend Of Digital Sales Agitates Comic-Book Culture"
Along those lines, the seminal LA Times article about digital comics and the future of print continues to be syndicated throughout the United States on regional online newspapers. My favorite of the new headlines generated for this repackaged story? Arkansas Online's, reproduced at the top of this item.

"Major Spoilers Podcast #222: Magic and Digital Comics"
I'll admit that I haven't yet listened to this podcast interview with BOOM! Studios' Chip Mosher about digital comics, but I want to bring it to your attention. Might be some interesting tidbits here.

Well, that's it for now, hope to check in within the next couple of days with a new round-up. And if you have any tips, press releases, or other digital comics news of interest, please feel free to drop me a line at valerie dot dorazio at gmail dot com.

Spotlight: PSP Digital Comics Bundles

2010-07-31T13:47:00.000-07:00

Playstation is now offering specially-priced "bundled" comics for the PSP. The prices on the bundled comic sets run from $1.99 to $9.99. These comics can also be purchased for the PC with Media Go.

Particular deep discounts with the IDW bundles, where you can get 4- or 5-issue sets of mini-series for as low as two or three dollars.

It will be interesting to see if these bundle deals are successful, and might become the standard in digital comics purchases.

Daredevil: Hell to Pay (5 issues) Marv el - $7.99 , 144 pages

X-Men: Blinded by the Light (5 issues) Marvel -$7.99, 181 pages

Fantastic Four: Civil War, Book 1 (4 issues) Marvel - $5.99, 97 pages

Fantastic Four: Civil War, Book 2 (4 issues) Marvel - $5.99, 126 pages

Locke and Key: Welcome to Lovecraft (6 issues) IDW - $9.99, 161 pages

Vampire Hunter D: Volume 1 (6 issues) IDW - $9.99, 245 pages

Astro Boy: The Official Movie Adaptation (4 issues) IDW - $5.99, 97 pages

Groom Lake (4 issues) IDW - $5.99, 96 pages

Star Trek: Nero (4 issues) IDW -$5.99, 90 pages

Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse - Birds, Bees, Blood & Beer (5 issues) IDW - $3.99, 122 pages

Star Trek: Countdown (4 issues) IDW - $2.99, 93 pages

Tank Girl: The Gifting (4 issues) IDW - $2.99, 102 pages

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Movie Prequel: Alliance (4 issues) IDW - $2.99, 96 pages

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Movie Prequel: Defiance (4 issues) IDW - $2.99, 96 pages

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Movie Adaptation (4 issues) IDW - $2.99, 96 pages

Zombies vs Robots (3 issues) IDW - $1.99, 76 pages

G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra Official Movie Adaptation (4 issues) IDW - $2.99, 96 pages

iPad Sales Numbers & Demographics Fact Sheet

2010-07-31T06:15:00.000-07:00

I thought it might be useful to gather some data available on the iPad so far and put it all in one spot:

iPad Sales

# of iPads sold to date: 3 million in 80 days

source: CNET, June 22

iPad Apps

# of native iPad apps available: 8,500
# of iPhone/iPod Touch apps that work on iPad: 215,000+
# of iPad apps downloaded: 35 million

source: Steve Jobs, June 7

iPad eBooks Sales

# of eBooks downloaded: 5 million

% of total eBook market: 22

source: Steve Jobs, June 7

Gender Distribution of iPad Owners:

61% M

39% F

source: Yahoo, July 2010

Age Distribution of iPad Owners:

55+: 13%

45-54: 17%

35-44: 28%

30-34: 15%

21-29: 19%

under 20: 8%

Source: Yahoo, July 2010

iPad owners by income & psychographics:

"iPad owners are also more likely to be extroverts and assertive, and would describe themselves as sophisticated and imaginative. Owners also describe themselves as motivated, driven and possessing of low altruism and low benevolence. High income, in the $75,000 to $200,000 or over range, is also a key characteristic of iPad owners. "iPad owners are best characterized as selfish elites," the report noted. "Wealthier, older and more educated, they are sophisticated, highly value power and achievement, and are not very kind or altruistic."

Source: MyType Study, May 2010

iPad critics psychographic profile:

"Critics of the iPad, in contrast, were perceived to be independent geeks unwilling to bow down to the House of Apple. "iPad critics, on the other hand, tend to be independent geeks: self-directed young people who look down on conformity and are interested in video games, computers, electronics, science and the Internet," the report stated. "These results suggest that the iPad is seen more as a power tool for elites than as the newest gadget for technology geeks."

Source: MyType Study, May 2010

How Much Should Digital Comics Cost?

2010-07-31T04:23:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot of debate as to what is a fair price for digital comics. Here are my two cents.

You Have To Charge Something

First, to address the opinion that digital comics should always be free. A publisher can't continue to publish comics on a regular basis without charging something for them. No, I don't believe revenue from ads alone on a website is enough to sustain the production of massive amounts of original content. I've worked for a major website in the Sales department, and this has been my observation.

And yes, I know that comic pirating is still a big issue. This is why we are having a discussion about fair pricing. If we are going to say that because pirated comics are available, the major comic companies shouldn't even try to charge anything -- then everyone should just give up now. We should just be happy with the free scans that are available on the Internet and not look forward to any new issues of Batman or Spider-Man.

First Pricing Tier: Free

"Free" should be used for two things:

As an incentive by a publisher to get a reader to try a new series or concept. I think a free #1 (or at least a substantial preview) is crucial to encouraging digital sales of unique content.
As a basic promotional tool to stir up excitement. A free #1 or #0 is a great way to promote a major "event" or initiative -- and might also encourage new sign-ups for your digital comics app from traditional paper-based readers.

Second Pricing Tier: $0.99

This should be the default price for most back-issues. Right now, there are many back-issues that are $1.99, and I think this might be too much to charge. The only cases where back-issues should be over 99 cents is if they are super-hot and sought-after.

This should also be the price for the first issues of new series, unless the publisher decides to go the "free" option.

Third Pricing Tier: $1.99

This should be the price of most mid-level day-and-date releases consisting of roughly 22-30 pages of new content.

Fourth Pricing Tier: $2.99

For day-and-date releases of "hot" digital content consisting of roughly 22-30 pages of original content. This should be the price of all "best-sellers," the Top 20 offerings from your line.

Special Cases: "Double-Sized" Issues and Graphic Novels

Obviously, more money needs to be charged for more content. How much a digital comics reader is willing to pay for longer-form works is debatable. I think anything above $9.99 -- except for the most in-demand items -- becomes chancy.

I think a publisher would be better served offering the longer original graphic novels first in print, charging a higher price-point -- and then down the line offer the book at $9.99 or so in digital.

Special Cases: Bundled Sets

This section addresses a criticism I've heard referred to many times regarding how publishers offer their back-issues. First of all, story arcs should be primarily offered under the name and "part number" of the arc -- not the issue numbers. The issue numbers can be listed after the story arc info, but they should not be used as primary identification.

For example, listing a bunch of Batman or Wolverine issues on the app for purchase is not as enticing to the potential customer as "Batman Year One" or "Old Man Logan."

But further -- those arcs can also be offered for purchase as specially-priced bundled sets. A four-issue bundle could be $4.99 -- say, 4 issues + some supplemental material or related reprint story. Along those lines, bundled sets or collections of key story arcs can offer "added value" features just like a special-edition DVD -- concept sketches, editorial material, even a reprint of a script.

So those are my thoughts on pricing digital comics. I'd love to know what you think.

Top Free & Paid Digital Comics Apps

2010-07-30T12:55:00.000-07:00

Here is a glance at the top free and paid comic book apps in The App Store. Please note that these apps are listed in the "Book" section of The App Store, and are from lists containing the top 100 book apps.

Top Free Comic Apps, July 30th 2010

#1: Marvel Comics

#2: DC Comics

#3: Archie Comics (iVerse)

#4: comiXology

#5: Disney Digicomics

#6: Wallace & Gromit 1: The W Files (Titan)

#7: Pure Love Comics Free Manga (DML Inc.)

#8: Comics + (iVerse)

#9: Real Maid 6 Free Manga (G2Comix.Inc)

#10: WWE Heroes #0 (Titan)

#11: Transformers Comics (IDW)

#12: Real Maid Free Manga (G2Comix.Inc)

#13: iManga X Free (Brandon Gray)

#14: The Walking Dead #1 (comiXology)

#15: Real Maid 5 Free Manga (G2Comix.com)

#16: Real Maid 4 Free Manga (G2Comix.com)

#17: Real Maid 2 Free Manga (G2Comix.com)

#18: Digital Comics (Madcap Studios, Inc.)

#20: Real Maid 3 Free Manga (G2Comix.com)

#21: IDW Comics

#22: Real Maid 7 Free Manga (G2Comix.com)

Top Paid Comic Apps, July 30th 2010

#1: Sonic Universe #1 (iVerse) - $0.99

#2: True Blood #1 (IDW) - $2.99

#3: iManga X (Brandon Gray) - $1.99

#4: Star Wars: Empire - Betrayal #1 (THQ Wireless/Dark Horse) - $0.99

#5: Star Wars: Resurrection (THQ Wireless/Dark Horse) - $2.99

#6: Sonic Universe #3 (iVerse) - $0.99

#7: The Guild #3 (Dark Horse) - $0.99

#8: Sonic Universe #2 (iVerse) - $.0.99

#9: The Guild #1 (Dark Horse) - $0.99

#10: The Guild #2 (Dark Horse) - $0.99

Digital Comics News Round-Up, 7/30/10

2010-07-30T11:53:00.000-07:00

The big news this week is obviously Sony's offering of digital comic bundles for the PSP. We'll cover that in more detail in a separate post, but let's look at some other digital news and views from the last few days...

"A digital trend is shaking up comic book culture" - I consider mainstream news pieces like this one from the Lexington Herald -- which is basically a reprint of the original LA Times article --to be more significant by the very fact that they exist than in regards to their content. There has been a rash of these articles on mainstream news sites since SDCC.

"Digital Comics: should the comic book be worried?" - Game Junkie at Stuff talks about PSP's bundled digital comics program, and asks whether the print comic has anything to fear from this new technology.

"Heresay Evidence RE: Digital Comics" - Emily Brown gives an overview of what she's heard are the best device and platform for digital comics.

Digital Comics Reviews: Transformers #7-8 - Brandon Thomas continues his series "Digital Comics...Reviewed!" over at Fiction House.

Comic Con Recaps On Digital Comics Panels - I looked very much forward to the blog The Uncertain Future Of The Printed Word's coverage of the SDCC digital panels, and I was not disappointed. Part 1 focuses on the Digital Comics and You panel, which was hosted by Ben Templesmith. Important to note: Templesmith claimed that his prequel motion comic to the game Dead Space had over one million downloads.

CrossGen: Digital Comics Pioneer - Comic Nexus's A Skitch In Time looks back at CrossGen in light of the news that Marvel will be probably handling the defunct company's comics in somde capacity. Important to note: CrossGen was apparently an early pioneer in the digital comics arena:

"CrossGen quickly grew to be a power in the industry, even going so far as to pioneer new formats, such as Comics on the Web and their “Digital Comics” which worked via DVD players, presenting comic stories with voiceovers and animations."

Studio Foglio To Bring "Girl Genius" To iPad - And finally, Studio Foglio has inked an impressive deal to bring their popular "Girl Genius" comic to prose novels, audiobooks, and an eventual iPad offering. link

Been busy the last few days, but am hoping to get some more content up on the blog through the weekend! Thanks for reading!

comiXology New Digital Comic Releases, 7/29/10

2010-07-29T17:51:00.000-07:00

Bottle of Awesome #1, for free here

This week on comiXology features Zuda's Bottle of Awesome #1, as well as the digital debuts of critical favorite Ex Machina, BOOM! Studio's Hunter's Fortune, Ultimate Spider-Man, and the "Old Man Logan" arc in Wolverine.

Archie Comics:

Sonic Universe #7-8

BOOM! Studios:

Hunter's Fortune #1 Preview (free)
Hunter's Fortune #1-2

DC Comics:

All Star Superman #6
Batman #665
Green Lantern #25 & 34
Green Lantern Corps #18-19
Jonah Hex #15
Justice League: Generation Lost #6
Kingdom Come #3
Origin of Robin (free)
Superman: War of the Supermen #0 (free)
Superman/Batman #21

Vertigo:

DMZ #15
Fables #17
Sandman #6
The Unwritten #4

Wildstorm:

The Authority #5
Ex Machina #1 (free), #2
Gen 13 #25
Planetary #8
Stormwatch: PHD #17
Supernatural: Origins #4
Wildcats #5
X-Files #2

Zuda:

Azure #3
Bayou #5
Bottle of Awesome #1
High Moon #5

Dynamite:

Complete Alice in Wonderland #3
The Expendables #3-4

Marvel Comics:

Amazing Spider-Man #553-555
Captain America #40-42
Daredevil #95-96
Iron Man #64
Marvel Adventures Iron Man #1
New X-Men #43
Ultimate Spider-Man #1-5
Wolverine #66-69

Icon:

Criminal #9-10
Powers #10

Zenoscope:

Tales From Wonderland: Mad Hatter

Digital Comics News Round-Up, 7/28/10

2010-07-28T05:48:00.000-07:00

"Are Webcomics...Out Of Date?" First up is an intriguing piece from Webcomics Overlook regarding the possible "death" -- or outdatedness -- of webcomics, inspired by the Joey Manley post "Are Webcomics Dead?" Be sure to read the comments section of the Webcomics Overlook post for more opinions on why or why not the iPad will revolutionize comics, and the possible future of webcomics.

"Zuda, Webcomics, iPad Apps and the Whole Digital Comics Shebang" -- this one's an older "Zuda Post-Mortem" post by Hey Kneon! but it brings up some interesting points on a) whether the direct market crowd will flock to digital comics and b) whether the webcomic crowd is willing to pay for content on an iPad/iPhone:

"Let's look at this. The iPad is groovy, no doubt. But how many comic shop regulars actually own one? And out of the millions who've bought the device, how many want to spend a buck or two on a static comic book when they can buy a game or a song or a movie for the same price?

So which comic readers are more likely to own an iPad? Tech-savvy webcomics readers who read their comics online for free."

"Leapfrog: Direct Market Giants Dominate The Direct Market Scene" Joey Manley takes the webcomic scene to task for being "as stuck in their ways, as entrenched and established and slow-moving, as print comics publishers were back in the early days of webcomics." He also defends digital comics against common criticisms like lack of day-and-date releases:

"I know that hardcore comics fans have been complaining that the releases are not up to date, are not the same ones that you see in the comic book stores on any given week. And that is true. The comic books you buy in these apps are pretty old, for the most part. I don’t think that that matters to the new, casual reader that these apps are targeting. It doesn’t even matter all that much to me. For example, I know that the Grant Morrison Batman stories I’m buying are a few years out of date. But I skipped them when they came out, and have been interested in reading them all along. I would have bought a trade paperback, but I’m buying them this way instead. A casual reader presumably hasn’t read any of this stuff at all, so it’s all new to him/her."

But Manley also feels the way the comic apps are packaging/offering these "back issues" are confusing:

"So, for example, if you navigate to “Batman” in the Comixology app, you find issues 404 – 407 (comprising Frank Miller’s Batman: Year One storyline), followed by issue 608 – 619 (Hush), then starting up again with # 655 (the beginning of Grant Morrison’s current run on the character). A casual reader would have been far better served by the option to buy something named “Batman: Year One by Frank Miller” — and would have actually been more excited to do so, I’m guessing, than by being presented with a random-looking set of issue numbers..."

Inception: The Cobol Job Review - Brandon Thomas reviews the free digital "prequel" to the hit movie Inception over at The Fiction House blog.

"Mobile Marvel" - Comic Booked gives an overview of both Marvel's digital comics subscription service and their offerings for the iPhone. The author also compares the future of print comics to that of specialty vinyl records:

"I think there will be print comics always. Not unlike records, they will be a market for fans of a gone by time. In the digital world fans have not waited for publishers to make up their minds."

Views On Marvel Digital At SDCC: iFanboy's Mike Romo expresses exasperation at Marvel's answers to his digital comics questions, and argues that digital comics can bring in a crucial new audience to comics:

"I understand that Marvel has to play to both sides of this very crucial and emotional issue--they have to keep the retailers happy, I get that and I feel they should be commended for keeping the retailer in mind during this transition. I also feel that digital comics do not mean the end of comic retail and that digital comics can broaden the comic book audience in hugely significant ways. Seriously--if you have kids and a busy life and don't have that much time or you don't have a comic book store in your town, you just don't always have access to current comics. Digital comics can bring in people that would never go to their local comic book store."

Yet Another Great Must-Read Article On Digital Comics - This time from Chuck Jordan, called "Meanwhile, in the future..." It starts off as a love-letter to Atomic Robo, a comic he says he never would have found if it wasn't for discovering it on the comiXology app. He then looks at the topic of digital comics more closely, going over pros and cons in detail. He also points to the exemplary service and social elements of Isotope Comics as an example of a retailer that will thrive in the new Digital Age:

"Isotope Comics in San Francisco gets it right, and they should have nothing to fear from digital distribution. They’re not just a middleman to keep your pull list for you as you make your obligatory visit whenever new comics come in. Frankly, if you’re looking for the stuff you expect to find from a comic book store — everything new and tons of long boxes filled with back issues — you’re going to be disappointed. Because that’s not the point of the store; James and the people working there didn’t make a comic book store but a comic book lounge. It’s social. They promote the stuff they like. You get recommendations on comics, both the big releases and stuff you’d never have heard of otherwise. There are regular events with artists and writers, and the feel is more like a nightclub than any comic book store you’ve ever been to. Even when nothing’s going on, and you are just stopping in to pick up whatever’s on your pull list, you can get a good conversation about whatever geek topic is making waves at the moment. That kind of social atmosphere is something you’ll never be able to get from an iPad app, and it’s the model that more places should be following instead of just complaining that their business is being taken away."

CNET's Top 20 Free Digital Comics For The iPad - and finally, CNET picks their favorite 20 free comics for the iPad, including The Night Owls, Fringe, Captain America, and Inception: The Cobol Job.

Is Wildstorm DC's Digital Comics Savior?

2010-07-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

I find it quite ironic that Wildstorm, which for at least the last several years has been derided (rightly or wrongly) as a DC "loss leader," provides the publisher with a good deal of their best-performing content in the digital comics arena.

Not only is Planetary a consistent top performer on DC's comic app and the comiXology app, but titles that many people in the direct market may have overlooked, like Mirror's Edge and Fringe, are getting a new life as popular downloads.

One big reason: LICENSED MATERIAL.

Licensed material is going to be a huge component of digital comics sales. This is because the mass market is attracted to properties with which they are already familiar. A comic based on the TV series Supernatural, for example, is going to do a lot better with that market than the rather arcane adventures of some highly continuity-based DC Universe mini-series.

In the traditional market, these titles often get lost in the shuffle. Digital comics is the delivery system that brings these movie/TV/bestseller novel/videogame/cartoon adaptations directly to the audience who would most appreciate them. But more than that: I predict the audience for those comics will be far bigger than anybody would have imagined.

So one of the keys to the digital comics revolution is licensed content. Expect a huge boom in this category.

As a side-note: other "non-traditional" content like Jonah Hex, and titles from Vertigo & Zuda, also do very well in the digital arena.

TOP COMICS ON THE DC APP:
#1: Planetary
#2: Jonah Hex
#3: Justice League: Generation Lost
#4: Batman Black & White
#5: Tiny Titans
#6: The Losers
#7: Dante's Inferno
#8: Fringe
#9: Mirror's Edge
#10: Gen 13
#11: Green Lantern: Rebirth
#12: Superman/Batman
#13: Fables
#14: Wildcats vol. 5
#15: DMZ
#16: Green Lantern Corps
#17: The Unwritten
#18: Batman
#19: Green Lantern vol. 5
#20: Stormwatch: PHD
#21: High Moon
#22: Action Comics
#23: Sandman
#24: Bayou
#25: Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps

source: DC Comics App, July 25, 2010

Digital Comics News Round-Up, 7/26/10

2010-07-26T04:12:00.000-07:00

"The big question is, can the industry walk a careful line, expanding digital comics while not utterly decimating the money it makes from print retailers? Already every comic that’s published is scanned and posted on pirate sites within hours of release. It’s very much a situation analogous to what the music industry faced during the Napster era. Meanwhile, the legitimate means of buying comics digitally are hopelessly out of date, offering up ancient issues rather than the latest and greatest. Publishers fail to properly bundle up stories and market them more effectively toward the an audience that isn’t aware that Amazing Spider-Man #542-545 encompass the complete “One More Day” story arc. Most people who want their comics digitally aren’t going to be satisfied by a free 10-page teaser and an exhortation to visit their local comic-book store."
"Will iTunes replace comic stores?" Australian MacWorld

In addition to the excellent article above, we have a few SDCC wrap-up stuff to cover...let's get to it!

SD10: The Comics Piracy Panel: The Beat covers what is described as a "hastily thrown together" panel hosted by Techland.com's Douglas Wolk. Jake Forbes and Deb Aoki discussed the Manga "scanlation" community, and comiXology's David Steinberger gave his views on the piracy issue. Some really important points from Steinberger:

There is a disconnect between ever-rapidly advancing technology and the pace at which the large publishers operate.
He would like to do more day-and-date releases, but the publishers fear cannibalizing the direct market sales.
He feels these publisher's fears are "irrational," since comiXology's top sellers are properties with a higher profile from movies and other media; these buyers are not from the "new comics Wednesday" crowd.
Over 40% of comiXology's customers are located outside the U.S.

"Epic Mickey" Digital Comic Series On Its Way: A six-part series based on the upcoming videogame Epic Mickey, dubbed "Tales From The Wasteland," will be available as a digital comic. Peter David will be writing the series, as well as a 64-page graphic novel re-telling the story of the game. Kotaku

Marvel's Digital Plans: A few tidbits from Marvel on their digital comics program, as collected from around the web by Geek Syndicate:

There won’t be many day-and-date releases from the company in the near future.
Ultimate Thor will be the next day-and-date digital comic, to be released in October.
Hit Monkey was released one week after the print edition.
There will be a number of motion comics released in the Fall, and more planned for 2011.

My overall impression of the news coming out of SDCC in relation to digital comics is that of an industry at the start of a transitional process. Digital comics providers like comiXology are very gung-ho and excited, but the traditional publishers are -- at least publicly -- taking a far more cautious "wait and see" approach.

Wildstorm, Vertigo, and Zuda All Strong On DC Comics App

2010-07-25T11:57:00.000-07:00

Out of 25 series on the DC Top 25, only 8 are traditional in-continuity "DC Universe" comics. The rest are unique titles like Jonah Hex & Tiny Titans, and product from Wildstorm, Vertigo, and Zuda. Of the top 10, only one is a traditional in-continuity DCU title.

The standard wisdom has been that any comic outside of the traditional in-continuity superhero paradigm is a loss-leader -- that only "capes' sell. But this might not be the case for the digital arena.

TOP 25 COMICS ON THE DC APP:

#1: Planetary
#2: Jonah Hex
#3: Justice League: Generation Lost
#4: Batman Black & White
#5: Tiny Titans
#6: The Losers
#7: Dante's Inferno
#8: Fringe
#9: Mirror's Edge
#10: Gen 13
#11: Green Lantern: Rebirth
#12: Superman/Batman
#13: Fables
#14: Wildcats vol. 5
#15: DMZ
#16: Green Lantern Corps
#17: The Unwritten
#18: Batman
#19: Green Lantern vol. 5
#20: Stormwatch: PHD
#21: High Moon
#22: Action Comics
#23: Sandman
#24: Bayou
#25: Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps

source: DC Comics App, July 25, 2010

comiXology Top 25 Digital Comics for 7/25/10

2010-07-25T10:24:00.000-07:00

As you will see, this week's list of Top 25 series/comics on comiXology's iPhone/iPad app looks radically different from that of the previous week.

Most notable? Barely any traditional superhero genre comics on the list. Fluke? Or augur of the future?

#1: Planetary/Batman: Night On Earth (DC)
#2: Lionsgate Films' Leprechaun (Bluewater)
#3: Bloodrayne: Plague of Dreams (Digital Webbing)
#4: 45 (Com.x)
#5: Airboy 1942: Best of Enemies (Moonstone)
#6: Elephantmen: The Pilot (Image)
#7: Mort Grim (AdHouse)
#8: The Resistance (Creator Owned, Justin Gray)
#9: I Sell The Dead (Image)
#10: Origin of Green Lantern (DC)
#11: Superman (DC)
#12: Super Hero Squad (Marvel)
#13: FCHS (AdHouse)
#14: Birth (Alterna Comics)
#15: Abiding Perdition (Arcana)
#16: Avengers Spotlight (Marvel)
#17: Captain Blood: Odyssey (SLG)
#18: Planetary/JLA: Terra Occulta (DC)
#19: Hack/Slash: Girls Gone Dead (Devil's Due)
#20: Wildstorm Universe (Wildstorm)
#21: Dante's Inferno (Wildstorm)
#22: Dust (Image)
#23: Hack/Slash: Comic Book Carnage (Devil's Due)
#24: Helix (Studio 407)
#25: Dark Mists (Markosia)

Analysis:

6 are DC/Wildstorm, 2 are Marvel, 3 are Image, 2 are Devil's Due, and 2 are AdHouse.
10 are free, or offer free issues/previews.
Only 7 out of the 25 are "traditional" superhero comics (though that includes Planetary & the all-ages Super Hero Squad).
Many titles like Hack/Slash, Airboy, and Elephantmen are "paid" comics that offer more pages than a traditional comic book. For example, Hack/Slash offers 41 pages for $1.99.

Questions & commentary:

1. Does the overwhelming variety in both content and publishers on this list reflect a) users downloading their DC & Marvel content on the publishers' separate apps instead of comiXology's, b) the more expansive tastes of the mass-market, or c) a little bit of both?

2. What does it say that the #1 comics on both the comiXology and DC apps are Planetary? Certainly, there are "superheroey" elements to Planetary, but it's not what would be considered a traditional comic.

3. If you look at the top 25 DC comics downloaded from both the DC and comiXology app, there is a heavy presence of non-superhero titles. The fact that only 3 out of the 9 issues offered in DC's recent free SDCC digital sampler were traditional superhero titles is also very striking. It almost seems as if DC itself realizes that in order to compete in the iPhone/iPad space, offering nothing but superhero fare isn't going to cut it.

Tentative Conclusion: in the digital comics marketplace, variety might be the spice of life (rather than a detriment).

Digital Comics News Round-Up, 7/24/10

2010-07-24T08:09:00.001-07:00

More news and analysis from -- or inspired by -- SDCC. Let's jump into it.

SD10 Digital Comics Now! Panel: The Beat has coverage from Thursday's "Digital Comics Now!" panel. The panel, hosted by Chip Mosher from BOOM! Studios, featured David Steinberger from comiXology, Michael Murphey from iVerse, Wade Slitkin from Panelfly, and Micah Baldwin from Graphic.ly. Rantz Hoseley from Longbox was notably absent.

Questions included how the digital comics providers planned to extend the market beyond "the “300,000 regular weekly shoppers” at the 1800-2000 brick and mortar shops in the U.S." The "elephant in the room," as far as The Beat was concerned, was the prevalence of illegal comics downloading and how it effects the market.

The article, by The Beat special correspondent Bruce Lidl, also suggested that digital comics will have to reduce the price of their offerings in order to compete. I believe this is only the case with most previously-published content ("back issues"). I think the market is there for day-and-date content that is offered digitally on the same day as the print release. I believe for highly-desirable day-and-date content, people are willing to pay up to $2.99 for a new issue -- as in the case of IDW's True Blood #1, currently in the top ten paid book apps. Of course, the mass-market appeal of the True Blood franchise is a crucial component.

"Digital Comics Could Be Savior Or Supervillain" - The Big Money has a quick piece on the recent LA Times article on digital comics.

"The Future Of Comics Is No Laughing Matter" - Yet another financial website commenting on the LA Times article, with analysis. Portfolio

Ulysses Unseen To Be Published In Print From By Atlas & Co - Robert Berry's epic digital comic Ulysses Unseen (which had recently got in trouble with Apple over nudity) will initially be serialized "in installments," and eventually will be collected in a 170-page book next year. Publisher's Weekly

If you have any news or tips from the world of digital comics, feel free to drop me a line at valerie dot dorazio at gmail dot com!

comiXology Free Comics For the Week of 7/23/10

2010-07-24T06:45:00.000-07:00

Let's have a look at the free offerings from comiXology for this week. You can download these comics for free on your iPhone or iPad through the comiXology app, or read them online via comiXology.com.

First, the quick list (with links)

Carnivale de Robotique #1 (Creator-Owned) - free issue
Codebreakers #1 (BOOM! Studios) - preview
Dead Run #1 (BOOM! Studios) - preview
The Expendables (Dynamite Entertainment) - preview
The Origin of the Justice League of America (DC Comics) - free
Red Faction: Armageddon #1 (Wildstorm) - free issue
Red Faction: Guerrilla #1 (Wildstorm) - free issue

Now let's take a closer look at some highlights:

Carnivale de Robotique #1

Carnivale de Robotique is the second creator-owned book by the writing team of Johnny Zito and Tony Trov to be serialized exclusively on comiXology. They are also responsible for comiXology's Moon Girl, and the Zuda books Blackcherry Bombshells and LaMorte Sisters. Mark Fionda illustrates.

The 22-page all-ages story focuses on a "Nanny Droid" who wants to run off and become a ballerina.

Codebreakers #1

This 12-page preview focuses on the story of an elite Cryptanalysis unit working for the FBI. The print edition of the first issue initially debuted in April of this year, and features the team of Carey Malloy and Scott Godlewski.

Expendables

The highly-anticipated action movie is adapted to the comic book format by comics writing legend Chuck Dixon, with Esteve Polls on art.

LA Times Explores Whether Digital Is The Death Or Rebirth Of Comics

2010-07-23T07:31:00.001-07:00

A lot of interesting stuff in today's LA Times article on digital comics, with quotes from many of the major players in traditional comics publishing.

The premise of the article: to ask whether Digital will revolutionize/"upend" the comic book industry in the same manner it has other media like music television, and movies. Let's pull out some interesting data and quotes:

While digital sales make up only 5% of roughly 1 billion dollar U.S. and Japanese manga market, it is quickly growing.
"Comic book sales have seen flat to relatively modest growth in recent years, but digital sales for us have so far doubled, year over year." -- Ira Rubenstein, Marvel Executive Vice-President of global digital media.
A recent comiXology survey of 2,000 readers found that 1 in 5 who bought a digital comic never bought a comic before.
"Digital distribution is our new newsstand. It's a way to get our product in front of a mass audience." -- Chip Mosher, Marketing Director, BOOM! Studios.
"Every time we undergo a change in technology, people say we're losing something. I see it as gaining something...Comic creators will learn how to tell their stories in new ways." --Joe Quesada, Marvel Comics Editor-In-Chief.

This last quote brings up an interesting point that is expanded upon by DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee:

"As readers become more familiar with reading digital comics, it will affect the way we think about producing the comics. We start to think about constructing our pages differently. Some publishers have asked artists to create layouts specifically for the iPad, for instance. We also think about the length of our stories because people with smart phones have shorter bits of time to consume media.... I see a lot of experimentation with the art form."

Will we see more short stories and arcs in comics as a result? Less events? What about the future of the graphic novel? Or the dimensions of the standard comic book art board? Will artists find it easier to draw certain assignments panel-by-panel or in smaller pieces?

And will publishers make more or less money on digital versus paper sales? And if the Direct Market begins to become adversely affected, how will that impact the traditional comics culture as a whole?

Panelfly To Form New Company, Partnering With Former Execs From AOL, Hulu, Sony

2010-07-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

Panelfly has announced at SDCC that they are forming a new digital media company called SYN, which, in addition to comics, will produce material for television, movies, animation, and a lot more.

Partnering with Panelfly will be former executives from Sony, Hulu, and AOL.

Founder and CEO of SYN Kirt Mcmaster gave the site Geeks of Doom the following statement:

“[SYN is] focused on the ‘fantastic’ that will redefine this space across all platforms — with a focus on supermobile extending into the digital home experience.”

You can sign up for updates on SYN at their placeholder website; the target date for its launch will be 2011.

I find it fascinating that a digital comics provider who I associated so strongly with just comics has decided to transform into a more broad-based company. Does it dilute their standing in the digital comics race, or just empower them to reach the mass-market as a whole far more effectively?

Digital Comics News Round-Up, 7/22/10

2010-07-22T08:22:00.000-07:00

There will probably be a lot of news coming out of SDCC on the digital comics front, but here's just a start:

DC & Marvel Facing Digital Comics Competition At Comic-Con: BNET reports that the Big Two comic publishers are presently being "threatened" by "indie app" upstarts like iVerse, Graphic.ly, and comiXology. The reasons, in a nutshell:

New Voices - indie apps more likely to feature new talent and concepts
Multi-Platform - comiXology's app for the Google Android used as an example
Community-building - as in the case for Graphic.ly
Cheaper - the "indie" apps are often offering cheaper content

Square Enix To Launch Digital Manga Store In North America & France: The Japanese Manga and videogame producer -- best known for their titles Fullmetal Alchemist, Soul Eater, and Black Butler -- announced Wednesday that they are launching the digital manga store in the fall. They will be working with Viz and Yen Press to put out the content in the North American store. The service will require Adobe Flash Player on Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X. link

Cosmic Times Going Digital: South Florida based comic book publisher Cosmic Times is partnering with My Digital Comics to release their titles in a digital format. First up is Cosmic Times' series “Arthur: The Legend Continues” for $.99. link

Cognito Comics Unveils New Graphic Novel; First Use Of Tall Chair Active Reader: The newly-minted Cognito Comics -- headed by talent from EA and Dreamworks -- is teaming up with mobile touch app developer Tall Chair to present the original graphic novel "Operation Ajax." link

Graphic.ly To Debut Comic App For Every Digital Platform

2010-07-22T07:55:00.000-07:00

Big news out of the San Diego Comic Con for Graphic.ly, who claimed that they will be the first to bring digital comics to every platform with a comics app for smartphones, desktops, PCs, and tablets. They also announced a slate of upcoming digital comics from Archaia, including Mouse Guard and Fraggle Rock, and exclusive content in their store from notable comic creators.

Graphic.ly said they are going to launch the most advanced app available on the iPad, giving readers the option to view full-screen or leverage iPad zoom features. They will also be making their app available to consumers using Windows Phone 7 devices.

"The Graphic.ly app is now available for iPhone, iPod Touch, Mac and Windows, including Windows 7, laptops, desktops and portables, and soon on the iPad. The company plans to extend the footprint of compatible devices and operating systems throughout the rest of the year."

On the content front, Graphic.ly will be offering:

All of Archaia's titles through an exclusive partnership.
A line of comics about fashion models turned into superheroes, in partnership with the fashion and beauty site Modelinia.
Exclusive bonus content from their store from creators such as BOOM! Studios' Mark Waid and Heroes' Milo Ventimiglia. Graphic.ly likens the bonus content to the extras on a DVD.

Making headway into the digital realm outside of Apple products, Graphic.ly seems to have significantly upped the ante. But will other digital comics providers have similar announcements at SDCC?

link to official Press Release

IDW's "True Blood" Available In Both Print And Digital Editions

2010-07-22T03:01:00.000-07:00

Will more True Blood fans be picking up the first issue of the new comic via print or digital download?

IDW is offering True Blood #1 as both a print comic and as a digital download through the Apple App Store and the Sony Digital Comics store.

If you want to catch the comic via digital download, it will cost you $2.99 -- one dollar less than the $3.99 price tag of the print edition.

Will a price tag that is higher than usual for digital comics, plus no free #1, negatively impact digital sales of the True Blood series? Gauging by the success of Dark Horse TV/Movie comics as paid apps, plus True Blood's current popularity, I think it has a good chance. However, I think it will do much better with the mass-market audience than hardcore comic book fans.

Spotlight: DC's SDCC Sampler

2010-07-21T13:07:00.000-07:00

The heading for DC Comics's "SDCC Sampler" (available as a free download on the DC Comics App) reads:

Missing out on the big convention this week? DC Comics doesn't want to leave you out of the fun, so for one week only, we're letting you download some of our hottest giveaways!

The result is a whopping 241-page monster of a free download, consisting of the following "What's Next?" 1st-Issue editions:

Batman & Robin #1
Flash Rebirth #1
Action Comics #858
Human Target #1
Scalped #1
Jack of Fables #1
Hellblazer #1
The Authority #1
Astro City #1

On the good side, this is a pretty sweet collection to read on your iPad. On the bad side, the pages are not done in Guided View or one of the other panel-by-panel technologies, so reading it on the iPhone or iPod Touch is going to be a little bit unwieldy -- though of course you can tap parts of the page to enlarge the image.

It's interesting to note that out of the 9 titles offered here, only three feature the "DC Universe" proper. Was this strategically done to attract more of a mass audience on the iPhone/iPad?

Spotlight: Marvel Free Digital Comics, 7/20/10

2010-07-21T12:19:00.000-07:00

This week Marvel Comics is offering three free comics through their iPhone/iPad app:

Amazing Spider-Man #558

Writer: Bob Gale

Artist: Barry Kitson

Original Release Date: August 13, 2008

Spidey faces off against Menace and Freak in this nice little issue that's a great jumping-on point if you're not too familiar with the current storylines.

Captain America #37

Writer: Ed Brubaker

Artist: Steve Epting & Jackson Guice

Original Release Date: April 16, 2008

This issue marks the beginning of "Act III" of the epic "Death of Captain America" storyline.

Ultimate Iron Man II #1

Writer: Orson Scott Card

Artist: Pasqual Ferry

Original Release Date: December 12, 2007

I've been always meaning to catch up with Card's Ultimate Iron Man largely based on his rep as a science fiction writer, and I love Pasqual Ferry's art. The Ultimate Iron Man series features the "young genius" version of Tony Stark.

So there you have it -- three free Marvel comics to check out on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. You can access Marvel's app here.

List of PSP Digital Comics Releases, 7/21/10

2010-07-21T12:05:00.000-07:00

The following is a list of the new digital comics releases for the PSP as of 7/21/10.

If you want to get started downloading comics for the PSP, read the instructions at the official site.

2000AD Prog #1689	2000AD
Astonishing Tales (2009) #6	Marvel
Azure #2	DC Comics
Bayou #3 & #4	DC Comics
Bone #1	Cartoon Books
DMZ #14: Public Works #2	DC Comics
Daredevil (1998) #100-#103	Marvel
Eleventh Hour #4	Markosia
Fables #16: Storybook Love #3	DC Comics
Gen13 #22	DC Comics
Green Lantern: Secret Origin #5	DC Comics
High Moon #4	DC Comics
Kingdom Come #2	DC Comics
Project Eon #3	Markosia
RASL #1	Cartoon Books
Red Faction: Armageddon #0 (FREE!)	DC Comics
Red Faction: Guerrilla #1	DC Comics
Stormwatch PHD #14	DC Comics
Superman/Batman #26	DC Comics
The Authority #2	DC Comics
The Invaders (1975) #5-#8	Marvel
The Lexian Chronicles	Markosia
The Night Owls #3	DC Comics
The Unwritten #3	DC Comics
True Blood #1	IDW
Vampire Hunter D Volume 2: Chapter #1	IDW
Wildcats #2	DC Comics
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #155 (FREE!)	IDW

Marketing Digital Comics To Kids, Part One

2010-07-21T04:00:00.000-07:00

"Sonic Universe" #1 is currently the top comic

in the App Store's paid books category

We know that the kids of today are tech-savvy, but are they a viable market for comics on the iPhone? Let's find out by a) analyzing the marketing data, and b) taking a look at who inhabits the "kid app" sphere.

The iPod Touch Factor

When marketing apps to kids, a publisher might be better served focusing on the iPod Touch than the iPhone -- or at least take it into more consideration. This is according to a 2009 comScore/admob study which found that iPod Touch users are far younger than iPhone users:

69% of iPod touch users are between 13-24 years of age, while this same segment represents just 26% of iPhone users.

This would make sense considering that some parents may not want to give a mobile phone or pricey iPad to their child, but might consider the iPod Touch as something more along the lines of a videogame or other gadget "toy."

But there's even more data indicating that marketing comics for the iPod Touch might be a great option not just for the kid's market. According to The Apple Blog, based on Apple's own sales numbers:

"...here’s the bottom line: the rate of sales growth of the iPod touch is very likely greater than the table shows, as in double that of the iPhone... The iPod touch, the stealth device for iPhone OS, will be the best-selling model for the platform in 2010, if it isn’t already, and it is."

And yet, a lot of the marketing and promotional copy for various comics app providers minimize or do not use at all the term "iPod Touch," instead only/mostly mentioning the iPhone & iPad. I think this is a mistake, especially when taking into account the kid's market.

Parents and the "iPhone Mom" Phenomenon

One thing that I think the traditional comics industry did inadequately was the marketing of comics to the parents of potential readers, especially moms. There is plenty of data indicating that most of the purchases made in a household are performed by females...and yet, many publishers have gone on acting like the only market was the 17-30 male "new comics Wednesday" crowd. So many young potential readers lost...well, maybe in the digital realm, we can make a new start.

First, the data on how many people who own iPhones have children, courtesy of the aforementioned comScore/admob study:

46% of iPhone users have children.

Next, let's take a look at what is being described as a variation of the "Soccer Mom" demographic, the "iPhone Mom" --

"...as the iPhone becomes central to moms to manage finances, family budgets, to-do lists and vacations, it’s sure to become a valuable and portable personal computer and too for the Mommy demographic...and Moms use the iPhone not just for themselves, but to download kid-friendly apps for their children to use." --TechCrunch (emphasis mine)

So whether you are an app developer, a traditional publisher looking to sell digital content, or even an independent creator seeking to market your comic -- if you want to attract the children's market, keep the parents in mind. Alienating, ignoring, or forgetting to "court" parents might end up losing you not only readers in the present...but the potential readers of your other offerings in the future!

Are Kids Reading (and parents buying) Digital Books?

Finally, if we can bring the child to the app...can we make them read?

Shortly after the launch of the iPad, six of the top ten paid book apps were children's books, with prices ranging from $2.99 to $9.99. (Publisher's Weekly)
"For the iPad, 81 percent of top book apps are children's titles"( AOL Tech Blog)
Dr. Seuss, Sesame Street, and Sonic the Hedgehog are all currently in the top 25 paid book apps.
As of this writing, Marvel's kid-themed "Super Hero Squad" is a top iPhone download.

The demand is obviously there, and there is no reason why children's comic book material can't take a piece of that action (as they started to do in the traditional book market).

In part two of "Marketing Digital Comics To Kids," I'll survey what's out there for kids to read on their iPod Touches, iPhones, and iPads. And we'll also take a brief look at what's being developed for the future!

*Note: this article does not take into account comics for the PSP. I hope to address this particular topic in a future post.

Amazon Claims To Be Selling 80% More e-Books Than Hardcovers

2010-07-20T06:51:00.000-07:00

"The Kindle format has now overtaken the hardcover format."
--Jeff Bezos

While not specifically about comics, this latest news from Amazon.com seems significant: the internet book retailer claims to be selling 80% more downloaded books than hardcovers. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos commented in a statement, "Astonishing when considering that we've been selling hardcover books for 15 years and Kindle books for 33 months."

A recent price drop in the e-book reader Kindle -- from $259 to $189 -- was most likely a factor.

Amazon has about $630,000 e-books for sale, plus numerous free downloads. For its second quarter, the company sold 143 e-books for every 100 hardcovers.

But are they making a profit? According to an expert interviewed by The LA Times, the bulk of the money Amazon is making is probably from the hardware. Colin Gillis, an analyst with BGC Financial, said:

"We don't know the economics of these e-books...In our opinion, they are losing money on a lot of the bestsellers sold as e-books."

80% of Amazon's e-book offerings are priced $9.99 or lower -- a significant dip from the average $25 charged for hardcover books.

Dark Horse, Sonic The Hedgehog Big Winners in Paid Book Apps

2010-07-20T05:06:00.000-07:00

The top paid comic apps in the Book section of the App Store include a variety of Dark Horse titles, Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog, and some manga.

Here are the rankings as of 7/20/10:

#27: Sonic Universe #1, iVerse Media

#32: Real Maid #7, G2Comix

#36: Dr. Horrible, Dark Horse Comics

#52: The Guild #1, Dark Horse Comics

#58: From A Twisted Mind Vol 1, Manga BlackBox

#63: Mass Effect: Redemption #2, Dark Horse Comics

#64: Mass Effect: Redemption #3, Dark Horse Comics

#65: Mass Effect: Redemption #4, Dark Horse Comics

#70: Sonic Universe #3, iVerse Media

#76: Real Maid #6, G2Comix

#80: Manga Viewer for Bleach, Hiroyuki Tsutsumi

#83: Mass Effect: Redemption #1, Dark Horse Comics

#96: Manga Viewer for Naruto, Hiroyuki Tsutsumi

#98: Marry Me #2, Keenspot Entertainment

#99: The Guild #3, Dark Horse Comics

#100: The Guild #2, Dark Horse Comics

Questions:

Why is Marvel & DC not on this list? Is it simply a matter of classification on the part of the App Store? Is it because each comic on the above list is counted as an "app" rather than a single issue? Is Dark Horse just getting their single issues classified/delievered in a different way via the App Store? If this is the case, it totally blocks the Big Two out of the top 100 paid "book" app category and dramatically decreases visibility.
Does Dark Horse's dominance of the licensed comics genre score big wins for them in the realm of the iPhone/iPad? Are properties like Mass Effect, Dr. Horrible, and The Guild not only popular among non-traditional comic book readers but "techies" in general, making them prime content for digital comics?
How big is the demand for manga and "teen" comics on the iPhone/iPad?
Children's books also scored very high on this list -- even when the price point is $2.99 or more. Stay tuned for my upcoming post on marketing children's comics on the iPad/iPhone for more analysis.

It should be noted that the free apps from Marvel, DC, and other major publishers have top spots on the "free" top 100 list.

Again, if I am reading/understanding this chart incorrectly, please let me know. I'm still learning.

UPDATE: it has been explained to me that each Dark Horse issue is downloaded as a separate "app," rather than being downloaded within a free Publisher app (please let me know if this is incorrect). Again: this would seem to give Dark Horse the advantage with the average person scrolling through the App Store on their iPhone, looking for a quick comic to read in the "top books" section.

Digital Comics News Round-Up, 7/20/10

2010-07-20T03:12:00.000-07:00

Michael Bay directing Transformers 3 using an iPad

Good morning readers, here are some digital comics stories of interest from around the web...

If you have stories, posts, or press releases you think might be of interest, please email at valerie dot dorazio at gmail dot com!

Publisher's Weekly: "Digital Comics Are Coming" - This is a must-read article that summarizes what the major comic book publishers are doing right now to gear up for the digital age of comic distribution. Points of interest in the article:

Many publishers believe that desktop computers hold more of a potential for digital comic sales than handheld devices.
Marvel & DC have just offered same day and date release for their print and digital editions.
IDW plans to offer digital editions 30 days after the release of print.
Publishers admit that right now digital sales are a very small part of their business; "Everyone knows that digital distribution is going somewhere, but no one really knows what will be the breakout event, device, or channel."

App Store Featuring Comics: As the 3 Million Years blog pointed out, the App Store features comics prominently on their "front page." Could this have anything to do with the fact that comic apps are among the most popular "book apps" for the iPad and iPhone?

Indian Literary Classics To Be Adapted To iPad Comics: Indya Comics has announced an initiative to adapt a number of classic Indian literary works to comic form for reading on the iPad and iPhone. They plan to release one novel a month, and the comics will be available in English, Spanish, French, Japanese, and seven Indian languages. The program launches in August.

And finally, does iVerse's new logo for their "Comics Plus" app seem a little too similar to that of another popular app? We've been hearing a few rumblings to that effect, but what do you think?

Free Digital Comics Review: Inception The Cobol Job

2010-07-19T09:04:00.000-07:00

(please note: the designation of "free" for the comic reviewed is reflective of its status as of this posting)

Inception: The Cobol Job
Publisher: Warner Bros.
Available for free view/download on both Yahoo Movies and the comiXology iPhone app.
Pages: 19
Writer: Jordan Goldberg
Art: Joe Ng, Crystal Reid, and Long Vo from UDON

The Cobol Job is the prologue to the movie Inception, featuring Cobb (the Leonardo DiCaprio character) and Nash (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) on a mission that is supposed to have taken place directly before the actual movie. As far as I can tell, there are no spoilers, just a bit more backstory.

The story and pacing are decent enough, and the art, with its slight Manga feel, is an interesting departure from the generic look of some TV/movie adaptations. That said: though The Cobol Job is billed as a prologue, you might enjoy it far more after seeing the movie.

The comic's pacing and suspense is aided immensely by the use of comiXology's Guided View technology. The way this comic is cropped into panels (often for a cinematic "widescreen' view), and how larger panels are automatically "transitioned" to finish dialogue, makes a huge impact on the effectiveness of this story -- especially for something in the "Thriller" genre. I'm not even sure I am describing this whole process correctly (I think it really calls for a video demonstration), but trust me on this.

This brings up an issue that is really the stuff of a separate post: viewing comics on online readers vs. on the iPhone & iPad. Long story short: I hate reading comics on online readers, unless the reader/comic/screen are of the same orientation (either horizontal or vertical). I do not like to manually "pan" and magnify pages. Also, for my delicate netbook, the amount of juice necessary to optimally use these readers is just too much.

I do everything on my iPhone. I watch all YouTube videos on my iPhone. I handle most of my social media on my iPhone. I listen to my audiobooks, take notes, read my horoscopes, and make my Netflix picks on my iPhone. So reading my comics on the iPhone rather than online on my computer makes a lot of sense to me.

But the crucial difference is the comiXology Guided View tech. By strategically cropping and using movie-like transitions from panel-to-panel, I can enjoy a comic on my phone despite the small size of my screen. For a book like The Cobol Job, the Guided View actually makes it seem more exciting than it would be in a traditional format.

Lastly, this review is not a shill for comiXology or their technology. I am still learning about different digital comics providers, and what they have to offer. If I come across other iPhone apps that offer similar or even better readers, I will certainly discuss this in the future.

So anyway, Inception: The Cobol Job is a great free comic to read if you liked the movie, or just want to see how a comic is presented in Guided View.

comiXology Top 25 Digital Comics (and analysis)

2010-07-18T14:13:00.000-07:00

The following is a list of the Top 25 digital comics on comiXology as of 7/18/10. The list is by series, so I am not sure if the entries refer to the free downloads of a particular title or not; at this juncture I am going to assume (and this may be wrong) that it's weighted more towards the free download. I am also assuming that this Top 25 list is automatically updated on the comiXology app. Good to get out of the way that there are a lot of assumptions, here. I'm still learning, and this post is an attempt to learn more.

After the list, I'm going to pull out & analyze some data based on it.

#1: Invincible Iron Man (Marvel)
#2: Super Hero Squad (Marvel)
#3: The Origin of Batman (DC)
#4: The Origin of Superman (DC)
#5: Batman Black & White (DC)
#6: New Avengers Vol. 1 (Marvel)
#7: Superman (DC)
#8: The Origin of Wonder Woman (DC)
#9: Hulk Volume 1 (Marvel)
#10: Box 13 (comiXology)
#11: Wolverine (Marvel)
#12: Thor Volume 3 (Marvel)
#13: Clash of the Titans (Creator-Owned)
#14: Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? Dust To Dust (Boom Studios)
#15: Blackest Night (DC)
#16: Madman: For the Record (Image)
#17: Captain Blood: Odyssey (SLG)
#18: Wonder Woman Vol 3 (DC)
#19: Civil War (Marvel)
#20: Ghost Rider (Marvel)
#21: X the Unknown (comiXology)
#22: Scarlett Takes Manhattan (Creator-Owned)
#23: Darkness/Pitt (Top Cow)
#24: Hack/Slash: Euthanized (Devil's Due)
#25: Storm Lion (Creator-Owned)

Analysis of the top 25:

8 are Marvel, 7 are DC, 5 are "Independent," 3 are Creator-Owned, and 2 are comiXology-branded.
Of the Marvel titles, all are $1.99 downloads, not free.
Of the DC titles, all are available as free/preview.
Of the "Indy" titles, all are available in free/preview form
The Marvel titles offer all complete stories or series from the beginning.

This brings up several questions:

Is Marvel's dominance in part because they are offering complete mini-series or the chance to hop on the beginning of a title? Marvel also offers X-Men and other titles on the comiXology app, but they are often (as in the case of X-Men) in the middle of the run (even if an effort is made to offer complete story arcs).
When figuring out how to offer their back-issue archives in digital form, should a publisher make an effort to only pick series from the beginning or complete mini-series? Even if they have to artificially number their material from #1 onward?
Case in point: would Archie be better off starting an "Archie & Friends" title from a digital-comics exclusive #1 instead of in the 400s? Or the X-Men repackaging some of their story arcs in a similar manner?
Are the readers of the Marvel titles already hard-core collectors, or more of a mix of fans and users of the iPhone/iPad just looking for something to read? If the former, are they re-buying books they already had in paper form...or catching up on comics they haven't read yet? If they are the latter, are these "novice" fans primarily attracted to iconic characters and an easy "jumping on point?"
How many of the people who downloaded free "Indy" comics/previews will continue to buy the other comics in the series? What is the conversion rate from free download to purchase?
Does the offering of free origin and anthology stories on DC's part stimulate the eventual purchase of their regular titles? Is their initial offer of such material the first step of "familiarizing" the novice reader with their properties?

Tentative Conclusions:

When serializing your back-issues for the iPhone/iPad, it is optimal to start with #1s or provide complete/contained series.
Providing free downloads will stimulate reader interest in new concepts/series...but we do not yet have enough information on the conversion rate from free to paid downloads.
A publisher can strategically use previously-published anthology stories to provide intriguing free content.