Marvel Digital Comics Discussion

[Whitster]

I could be wrong, but I don't think the MAX comics are available on a digital platform. I know they're not getting the digital codes, and I haven't seen any of them on the app or digital store either.

Have they said why MAX books aren't appearing digitally? It can't be a content issue given that you can get Dynamite books like The Boys and Jennifer Blood on there. Maybe if Wacker is sniffing around he could shed some light?

[Nova2814.1]

Have they said why MAX books aren't appearing digitally? It can't be a content issue given that you can get Dynamite books like The Boys and Jennifer Blood on there. Maybe if Wacker is sniffing around he could shed some light?

It probably is the content, or more specifically the content not being compatible with the 12+ rating on the Marvel app. DC had the same issue with Vertigo books, but they recently launched a Vertigo specific app, which has a 17+ rating. Maybe Marvel will launch a MAX Comics app in the near future? Probably a good question for the Ask Axel thread if anyone's interested.

[FriendRoss]

it has to be the content, or more accurately put, the language


i read it last night… awesome book


the comixology app sells "mature" comics. i know I've bought them. don't see why they just couldn't sell it there. does marvel have enough MAX content to warrant a stand alone app?

[Whitster]

It probably is the content, or more specifically the content not being compatible with the 12+ rating on the Marvel app. DC had the same issue with Vertigo books, but they recently launched a Vertigo specific app, which has a 17+ rating. Maybe Marvel will launch a MAX Comics app in the near future? Probably a good question for the Ask Axel thread if anyone's interested.

I doubt an app would be worth while considering they're down to one release a month in that imprint, that said it could be good for back catalogue considering alot of MAX trades are out of print, but it makes sense if Marvels app is rated 12+ not to put them on there, Comixology however doesn't seem to have this problem so I don't see why they cannot release them through the generic app only?

I remember when Alonso took over he said he had big plans for MAX, but we've not seen anything happen outside of this Fury series, both Punisher and Deadpool were started under Joey Q.

[whiteshark]

Does anybody knows to install the same app in a tablet after desinstaling it?
I had the marvel app instaled in my App from google market,but desinstaled it by mistake.
Now everytime i try to get that same app from google,it says my tablet is not compatible with that app anymore?
Any help?

[Mechano]

anybody going for the avengers mega-lot this weekend?

[Selphy]

How long does it take for Marvel to lower the prices on their digital comics? I want to get into some series like UXM but even issue 1 is still 3.99. I was hoping that it would be at least 2.99.

Also, I heard that Marvel is planning on giving out digital codes for all their 3.99 books. If that is true, when does that start?

[Xistel]

I think it's ridiculous that the price tag of digital comics is the same as print comics. They removed costs thanks to not printing and shipping and all that. How do they justify?

[Xistel]

So, how would you handle the digital market?

I would drop the price down by at least one dollar (I'd have to check how much cost there was for printing and distributing per copie and subtract that)

I would create digital comic bundles (like jumping on points to whatever series - these could be single issues where you could choose up to 3 titles at an overall price tag of 99 cents, or like the jumping on point arc). They should also create "Event Sections" where you can easily keep up the an event chronology.

I like how Marvel Infinite was done in terms of layout. I'd just add the possibility of hiding text, saving art as wallpapers, and include extras (without the hassle of going to Marvel AR, getting your iphone/ipad and watching it there).

Extras could include, first 3 pages of the next issue, behind the scenes, interview with the creative force behind said comic, coloring images for the young ones, quizzes, a monthly vlog by the editors, or the creatives.

Thoughts?

P.S - Of course, with all the extras, the price could go back to being the same as print, or create different versions of the comic, one with extras, one without

[The Sword Is Drawn]

An end to Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited, as a venture which was never more than a half-hearted attempt at digital comics.

I don't want a subscription to browse on somebody else's server. I want to own a proper paid for comic in a digital format, which I own, and can be physically stored on my system of choice. If DRM has to play a part, fine. I'll accept that.

Given that this purchased book has not required any printing or distribution costs I feel that a dollar off cover price would be reasonable as a pricing model.

Marvel should have done that in the first place.

[MarvelMaster616]

So far I've been loving everything about Marvel's digital initiatives. After not living near a comic shop for so many years, it finally feels like I can be part of every major event as it unfolds. That said, there is one thing I would do to improve the experience. I would make it so every graphic novel purchased from a comic shop or via Amazon contains a download code for the digital comics. I really like how the Season One books have been utilizing this and it would be great if other major stories that are already digitized like Fear Itself or Siege had something like that as well. I know it couldn't be done for all stories, but it would be a nice way to bundle content and add more value.

[Seresecros]

dropping the prices would be seen as an attack on comic-book stores, so good start there guys

[FriendRoss]

maybe the comic book stores should take the same approach with 4 month old comics



i like a couple of the original suggestions a lot. jump on bundles are a great idea. I've always wanted to be able to screen cap a wallpaper or lock screen image…… however the added idea of being able to print out coloring book pages from rough sketches, that be sweet too



id like some sort of a compression file. i like keeping all my books downloaded. but for long term storage it would be really cool if you could compress a volume… then when you are ready to read it unzip it.

[Beacon]

Digital collections would be available for the Nook, the Kindle, and Marvel’s app*. Pricing would be comparable to the other publishers who already have a presence there. The goal of putting digital comics in online bookstores is to attract new readers and you aren’t going to do that by charging a premium for old comics like Maximum Carnage or the Infinity Gauntlet.

*Which needs to be available on all platforms; not just iOS and Android.

I’d bolster Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited but shift the focus away from new material and concentrate on filling in the gaps on older comics (at least two years old). It’d be compatible with tablets as well as PCs. Marvel isn’t going to make any money on most of their old comics so they might as well charge a minimal fee and offer a more convenient alternative to piracy while also profiting on ad sales.

The new comics that used to be publicly available as free Monday promotions on MDCU will become weekly freebies on Comixolgy.

As far as Comixology pricing goes, at least two of the following needs to happen

1) Lower starting prices. Marvel’s print comics aren’t worth $4 and their digital comics are worth even less. New comics should be $3 at the absolute most.

2) Scheduled price drops. While a $1 drop after one month (like DC or Dark Horse) may cut into print sales, there’s really no way to justify charging cover price for year-old comics.

3) Digital extras. Avengers vs X-Men #1 might be the only time a $4 Marvel comic was actually worth $4. The print copy has a larger than normal page count and a digital redemption code. The digital copy comes with ANOTHER 20 page digital comic. Extras like bonus comics, pencil roughs, scripts, and creator commentaries go a long way toward adding value to the digital comic.

4) No DRM. There’s no way any sane person will pay $4 for a 20 page digital comic that they don’t actually own.



Finally Marvel needs to decide if they’re using print sales to feed digital sales (by putting download codes in print comics) or using digital sales to feed print sales (by emailing store coupons in exchange for app purchases). While there’s something to be said for letting the consumer decide, Marvel’s attempts to have it both ways just makes them appear to be unfocused.

[Beacon]

maybe the comic book stores should take the same approach with 4 month old comics.

They could mimic comic shops and create a digital quarter bin for the older comics

(I know the pricing structures of Apple and the like prevent them from actually doing this but I’m just pointing out that price drops aren’t exclusive to digital)