Probably everybody has seen this -- it's all over the mainstream news, let alone the comics press -- but just in case, here's the big news: Marvel is putting a sizable portion of its catalog online. It's not exactly clear what's going on, but it seems you'll be able to read the first 100 issues of various Marvel titles online. There will be 2,500 titles online to begin, with 20 more being added each week. Marvel has also indicated they will add current comics roughly 6 months after they are first published. All of this for the low, low price of $9.99 per month or $59.98 per year. It sounds like they are putting 250 issues online for free as a sampler to convince us to pony up the cash for the remaining 90%
Marvel has had some of their stuff online before. I remember reading the begining of the Bruce Jones/John Romita Jr. on Marvel's website. This is clearly much more comprehensive though.
This is a completely different approach to going online than the one taken by either Dark Horse (short original stories featuring established Dark Horse characters and/or creators) or DC (completely original content).
So what does everyone think?
Posted by Jason Fliegel at November 13, 2007 4:27 PM
From the article:
"We did not want to get caught flat-footed with kids these days who have the tech that allows them to read comics in a digital format," Marvel President Dan Buckley, told the publication.
Questions whether Dan Buckley later ordered "a hamburger sandwich and some french-fried potatoes" went unanswered.
"We did not want to get caught flat-footed with kids these days" ... Where's wordsmith Bill Rosemann when you need him: "The result gives Marvel titles a distinct identity -- a retro-kitsch feel mixed with a cyber-hip vibe, definitely expressing the "modern" nature of comic books."
Plus, I'm no kid, and I have "the tech" - in my case it's called Adobe Reader. He sounds like he's still trying to figure out the market for SelectaVision.
Okay, enough snark. I don't see myself buying in, since the stuff that appeals to me (the old stuff they list, that is) is stuff I already have on disc via GIT Corp. I think the prices sound high, but I haven't really given it much thought. (Smart idea to type, right?)
And it may run to personal taste, but the idea of updating the coloring of the material *could* be good, or it could look like Neal Adams has been recoloring things again...
I think it's an ok first step, but only a first step. I haven't been able to take a look yet (I'm at work and apparently the Marvel site is heavy on the flash animation), but what I've read doesn't thrill me: $60/year to read comics on their website, without the ability to download the comics "purchased?" I'm not sure how well that's going to fly with people. On the one hand, it'd be great to read lots of old comics for far less than you'd pay for them. On the other hand, wouldn't a system where you pay per .pdf file make more sense? (And be closer to what people seem to want?)
Anyway, these are just my initial thoughts on reading about the site. Maybe I'll feel differently once I'm able to access it.
If they would drop the six month delay, I'd sign up today. I understand their reluctance to do so, but it may be time to let the direct market die.
I think crap online is still crap.
Yeah, uh, Jim? CDisplay.
This is a completely different approach to going online than the one taken by either Dark Horse (short original stories featuring established Dark Horse characters and/or creators) or DC (completely original content).
"Completely original content?" Including the name of the imprint, which, so far as I can tell was stolen from "The South of the South!" Zippidee ...
"Completetely original" in the sense that it's unrelated to anything else published by DC, not in the sense that it's something new and innovative.
Song of the South is close but no cigar. Zuda Comics' name might have been inspired by "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah," but it's not a direct lift.
Speaking of Zuda, I haven't actually gone to view any of the comics themselves, but I'm fascinated by the voting. The site's been live for about two weeks now, and the various comics still haven't received more than 700 votes in all. And that's not any one comic, but all of them combined. Where's that damn hamster when you need him?
Oh, wait. I forgot I was commenting on Marvel. I did go to that site to check out the free sampler. Yeah, it's slow because everybody and her sister is trying to get a look, the interface itself is annoying, and the resolution isn't good enough that I'd actually want to pay money for it, but they're even shortchanging us on the free stuff. I took a look at two of the comics, and I got six free pages in one and four free in the other before the subscription barrier dropped to prevent me from seeing more. Don't tell me you're letting me see free comics if you're not really letting me see free comics!
Battling the one foe the can't defeat- CRASHED SERVERS!
Yeah, uh, Jim? CDisplay.
Well, that may be what he was talking about, though I don't know if even *he* knows that.
The stuff I get comes in .pdf files. With Reader, you can enter full screen mode, and it's comic book sized on my monitor.
Da kidz will be satisfying their Marvel needs via free bittorrents anyway.
I'm not sure anyone is satisfied by Marvel's product, free or not.
What do I think?
I think "Crossgen".
Then I think "This is not going to work".
Anyone who reads House of M for free paid too much.