There was a bit of a stir with the release of DC’s latest facsimile edition, Adventure Comics #210, which featured the first appearance of Krypyto. Well, okay—there was more than one thing! But the one that surprised me was the reaction to a coupon for a free month of DC’s Universe Infinite digital service. Some comic shops were not handing out the copies because of that particular coupon.
On the one hand, I do see the retailer’s point. However, digital copies have been around for a long time. Fans might not remember, but the launch of the New 52 marked day-and-date digital distribution for all their titles. That meant every new issue released in print was also available digitally on the same day—a first for a major comics publisher at the time.
One of the sticking points with retailers is that with DC’s service, comics get added to the service a month after appearing at comic shops. Marvel Unlimited has stuck to a three-month window. And let’s not forget all the comics available via ComiXology, Global Comix, and the other planned platforms. Sorry, retailers, digital comics aren’t going anywhere, and shunning them, in my opinion, hurts the long-term viability of the industry.
It’s been years since I regularly bought anything physical, not just comic books. First, I believe that all paper and other materials are detrimental to the environment. I also have limited space, and over the years, I’ve become more of a minimalist. I’m a clutter-free home. Others can do what they want, and they won’t get a peep out of me! I respect the choices other people make—even if sometimes I don’t agree with them. Then there is the price and the fact that I am a voracious reader of everything. Comics, newspapers, magazines—all add up, and I don’t have a money tree growing in my backyard.
These digital platforms provide access to comics that are often not readily available in print. For example, via Marvel Unlimited, I can read every issue of the Silver Age Fantastic Four and Avengers. They also allow fans to sample comics they might not readily buy. Global Comix is the best platform that supports indie creators, including GoFundMe campaigns.
For almost as long as I’ve been collecting comics, every few years, the old chestnut that comics are doomed gets tossed around. For DC and Marvel, their corporate owners have historically shown little interest in the comic business. Before all the mergers, DC’s profits—or losses—were nothing more than rounding errors on the balance sheet. And the closest I ever thought the comic industry would come to some bad times was during the COVID pandemic, when everything was shut down.
Those who favor digital comics are not the same fans who go to comic shops every week. Yes, there are some overlaps, and digital comics are here to stay. However, we are far from the idea that digital comics will cannibalize physical copies. I do think that the industry is on shaky ground, and it will take some time for the dust to settle and for us to see where everything stands. Comic shops should view services like DC Universe Infinite and Marvel Unlimited as tools to help comics grow in the long run.
About Author
