DC Comics' new digital platform to carry thousands of comic books including first issues of popular titles
Call it the Netflix for comic books - at least for DC's enormous catalog.
DC Universe Infinite positions itself as a one-stop platform where readers can access over 25,000 comic books in digital format.
The comics-only digital subscription platform will carry titles under the DC Comics brand as well as from its imprints Vertigo, DC Black Label, and Milestone Media.
New comic book titles will be added six months after their in-store release, and with Digital First titles uploaded in three months.
“This is just the beginning of DC Universe Infinite's transformation,” said Pam Lifford, President of Global Brands and Experiences at Warner Bros.
“Our fans will have access to a rich collection of their favorite comic books and publishing while connecting with a community that loves the same DC characters and brands.”
Just some of the titles that will be readily available are full runs of V for Vendetta, Hellblazer, Lucifer, and Preacher.
Batman titles such as Arkham Asylum, Supergirl: Being Super, and the complete Mister Miracle series by Tom King and Mitch Gerads are also listed.
As a treat, the site will include free-to-read titles like the first issues of All-Star Superman, Black Lightning: Year One, 2016's Suicide Squad series, and 2011's Aquaman.
DC Universe Infinite will launch tomorrow, January 21, in the US, with plans to expand worldwide later this year.
New battleground
The digital comic subscription industry is an avenue being explored by publishers with sites like ComiXology and Marvel Unlimited already having a head start.
While films inspired by comic books continue to rake in cash, sales of comic books have been plummeting noticeably.
Some blame this on the inferior content of recent titles as publishers are more concern about generating movie deals for their comic books.
“This is hurting the overall industry because it is hurting the quality of the comic books being released to the market by making the comic book issues more monotonous and generic,” said in an article published by the entertainment website, Fandom Wire.
Stores carrying comic books are also closing down as online retail channels continue to dominate the market.
The demand for kid-friendly content is also rising and publishers are eager to serve this segment for sure profit.
Observers dread that declining interest in traditional comic books will soon take its toll even on the industry's current cash cow: movies.
“The reason many of the superhero movies conquered the Box Office were because of successful story arcs that were published by Marvel and DC years ago. The superhero movies tend to always rely on successful story arcs,” wrote Fandom Wire
“MCU's Avenger's Infinity war was based on the universally acclaimed Infinity Gauntlet. Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice took leaves from Frank Miller's widely acclaimed The Dark Knight Returns.
“Without tried and tested sources, the superhero movies in the future will have to rely on original non-comic book scripts. A majority of the superhero movies will fail because the experimental plot might not be agreeable to the audience.”
Digital subscription - the same business model now widely used in the entertainment industry as exemplified by streaming platforms - is now treated as a necessity, if not, a desperate move, to keep the comic book industry alive.
Many foresee that more publishers, especially small and independent brands, and comic book retailers will resort to this strategy sooner than later.
“They all look at Netflix and say, 'Why do I need an intermediary?'” Milton Griepp, chief executive of the online magazine ICv2 told The New York Times.
“That's where [online] this battle is being fought.”