DC Digital??

[NeoStar9X]

Whatever DC does though it has to be same day releases along side the physical comics. Or at the very least a delay of a few days but within the same week. Physical comics are released on Wednesdays then digital versions are released that Friday. What is hurting and stopping digital comics from really taking off is the refusal to do same day releases but to use it as a method of selling old material. It doesn't do anything to deter illegal downloads which can be got at few days after the comics are released in stores.

Those interested (and if you don't like digital comics you don't have to buy them but there are tons that would like the option for various reasons) want current content. It's not like you are dealing with manga which by it's nature has to be translated after it's released in Japan so there is a built in wait. However even that's changing as more and more companies in terms of anime shows are trying to go for simultatious releases. The manga series Naruto has been progressing faster in the Shonen Jump and it looks like it will sooner or later be in a simultous release with it's Japanese counter part. Where as in Japan it will be released weekly, the English SJ will get those chapters in it's monthly book. Which can be done as fans translate those chapters without hours of getting scanned pages.

There is no reason western comics can't be released in physical and digital formats at the same time. The finished product is already on computers before they are sent off to be printer and duplicated. It would be very easy for them to do downloadable versions. If they need a model to follow in terms of delivery then follow one of the pioneers in terms of online content. The porn industry always been some of the first ones in this regard it seems. DC should take a look at some of the systems they have and companies they're using. The delviery systems are there and have been for a while now.

[Namtab]

Jim Lee has stated in one interview that they are looking into a way to re-format the comics so that they can be read easier on a computer screen or a hand held device. Like, they may move the panels around, and/or put less panels per page. They are also looking into possibly having completely separate media. As is what you buy in the store won't be the same content that is available digitally.

That first idea works, but seems unnecessary to me, unless you want to read comics on an iPhone, then one panel at a time makes sense. That second idea just sounds terrible and would be the perfect idea if you want digital media to die before it even has a chance.

[NeoStar9X]

That's really just making more work for themselves and gives them another excuse not to do it. You thousands if not millions of people downloading comics that are scanned pages. Depending on the size of your monitor you can have entire page on screen or you might have to scroll up and down. That isn't a problem at all for those interested. People interested aren't asking for less panels on screen or some otherway of viewing the content. They just want the content at the same time it's out in stores. That's it. The way previews are done online are fine. People will be fine with just PDFs if you offered the. Just put up full issues somewhere where they can be bought.

You would have to reform for hand held devices of course but that is totally unneccesary for computers and laptops.

[tommo123]

splitting the panels up is needed for mobiles and tablets but wouldn't really take a lot. doing it for a back catalogue though, that would be a PITA and like old DVD/BD releases would probably be done in order of importance (financially)

[gwangung]

splitting the panels up is needed for mobiles and tablets but wouldn't really take a lot. doing it for a back catalogue though, that would be a PITA and like old DVD/BD releases would probably be done in order of importance (financially)

Hm. That's where I think the biggest market would be, for some reason.

[tommo123]

in time maybe. people still have an aversion to backlit screen for this kinda stuff. i'm ok with it but most (afaik) aren't. give it time though.

as i said, it wouldn't take a lot really to cut apart each section to display full screen

[NeoStar9X]

yeah, he is right. People still have an aversion to backlit screen for this kinda stuff. Some people will be ok, but all are not right?

People keep saying this but where was this ever proven?

In the end I've come to accept DC will never do this and will continue to be second to Marvel and be in a slow death at least in terms of the comic market. It seems they like the position. Their refusal to do many things (from digital to simple recap pages) makes the situation look that way to me.

[superchick]

They are losing out if they don't have a library of non-traded issues at least

[DarkKnghtJared]

I think a digital market is definitely going to happen at some point, either with applications on their own, or through a third-party app, like Comixology or Longbox, and LCS' will probably either fold or have to adapt (perhaps become a trade bookstore?) to survive.

[Larfleeze]

They are losing out if they don't have a library of non-traded issues at least

I completely agree. DC is horrible at collecting things, so it'd be nice to be able to find those issues easily.

I think a digital market is definitely going to happen at some point, either with applications on their own, or through a third-party app, like Comixology or Longbox, and LCS' will probably either fold or have to adapt (perhaps become a trade bookstore?) to survive.

That'll be the day that A LOT of people completely drop the comic hobby. Sure, not everyone would just suddenly stop buying comics. But, moving to an all digital format completely negates the Collector's Market that comics have been for many years. Digital files will never have collector's value. And as such, I think a lot of people will not see the point in spending money on comics (again, not everybody).

I love comics. I love reading the stories and seeing the art. I love holding the books, and I love collecting them. I hate reading comics on screens. So, the day I can't go to my comic shop and buy comics is the day I also completely drop the habit of comics all together. It may even get to the point were I sell off my collection. And while I may still buy a trade here and a trade there (assuming they don't suddenly become all digital), I'd never spend anything near the amount of money I am spending on my hobby on digital comics.

I'm fine if they want to release the digital comics for people who prefer that format. But when they start putting "Special Digital Only" bonuses and issues, and not releasing them in some paper format, I think a lot of people who have been very loyal to the medium will be turned off.

It's evolve or die, I guess. I'm just not happy about seemingly inevitable switch to All Digital Everything. It's bad enough that people seem to think of music and movies as being nothing more than files on their name-brand mp3/video players.

[NeoStar9X]

Doing away with the collectors market wouldn't be a bad thing at all.

[NuclearNerd]

People keep saying this but where was this ever proven?

In the end I've come to accept DC will never do this and will continue to be second to Marvel and be in a slow death at least in terms of the comic market. It seems they like the position. Their refusal to do many things (from digital to simple recap pages) makes the situation look that way to me.

Does DC have some deep-seated grudge against recap pages that I'm missing, or is it just something that's been absent with no explanation? I seriously put down the recent Super Girl issue and said "screw this, I'm waiting for the event banner to disappear" when a box on the very first page told me to buy Action Comics #10 before going on.

That's not how you attract new readers, DC. :|

[John Lynch]

I don't foresee DC getting a single cent from me until they start releasing comics digitally. I started reading comics digitally on an exclusive basis. I'll be returning to that once more.

What makes Marvel's subscription based service bad (what is the deal breaker for me) in the end I feel is really that they purposefully leave gaps in series. Not talking leaving out entire arcs (that would sort of be okay) but leaving out issues in the middle of actual story arcs. That crap drives me crazy when I look at what they have avaliable. That's worse then having the content be delayed months or years after it's physical and original release. Not sure if they changed that in recent months though.

I've noticed for the past 12 months they've been working on fixing this issue, and in the past couple of months they've really kicked into high gear.

If you look at the calendar you see:
* Factor X #1-4 - all released in one week.
* Elektra #25 - 29 - scheduled to be released once a week.
* Deadpool: Suicide Kings #2-3 - Released on a fortnightly basis.
* Iron Man #279, #281-284 - Plugged in a gap and then released on a weekly basis.
* Agent X #9 - 13 - Released on a weekly basis.

They're also looking to fill in gaps such as with Exiles. That said, there are times you have to be patient. I've been waiting for the last 3 issues of Amazing Spider-Girl and I've been waiting a while. But for the price of 6 cents a comic, I'm willing to wait. I also never would have begun reading Spider-Girl if not for my subscription.

In the DC Nation Town Hall (formerly Sunday Conversation) they were asked about digital and Jim Lee said "There's no one at DC that doesn't want digital comics...It's coming along and we should be announcing something shortly."

He might want to speak with Dan Didio whose been quite hostile to it in the past.

Also it took Marvel years to go from promising Digital Comics to actually delivering. I won't be holding my breath for DC to catch up.

They are also looking into possibly having completely separate media. As is what you buy in the store won't be the same content that is available digitally....That second idea just sounds terrible and would be the perfect idea if you want digital media to die before it even has a chance.

Marvel's "digital exclusives" haven't exactly been their best work. There's been some alright comics in the bunch. But quite a few bad stuff as well. I would hope DC would put out a more quality product if that's all they're delivering. But even then I wouldn't exactly be expecting Geoff Johns to be producing digital work.