Last time we touched on the need for digital comics in remote locations where shops can’t be found. In our second installment of digital comics articles I want to touch on another issue of location/availability. The need for digital comics in the sky! How would this work and why would it work?
Check it out after the jump.
Digital comics in the sky? What are you smoking Burpee?
In the previous article we covered the fact that I was in Maui, Hawaii where no comic shops existed and I found myself in limbo and unable to attain my weekly fix of graphic reading. While on the way back from that fantastic locale I find myself sitting on the plane back to Anchorage watching as they hand out digital movie players which also allow for games and other features that can keep passengers cool, collected and entertained in their cramped ass seats. I also notice the abundance of children and people reading. Suddenly, I, Burpee find myself with inspiration and ideas! Why not put digital comics on these fucking things?!
Honestly, you wouldn’t even have to stop there you could use them as a digital reader for books, magazines and comics. Those other forms of literature aren’t what I’m tasked with writing about here at Multiversity Comics though so we’ll stick to our bread and butter.
How many people have seen these digital movie players on their flights? Raise your hands if you know what I’m talking about. If you don’t, no worries, keep reading and you’ll know what I’m talking about by the end.
(Right here, during the writing of this, I purchased a Kona Brewing Company Longboard Island Lager. Who is surprised Burpee bought a beer on the plane? I know I’m not! Now back to our regularly scheduled article.)
Well tell me more about these digital devices? What’s the specs brotha man?
Basically what I’m talking about are these digital players that you can rent from the airline. They are about 12” wide and 6”in height. The screen size is roughly the size of one of the small Marvel Adventures TPB’s or the old Crossgen mini digest formats. They are full color and you can plug a headset into them for your listening pleasure.
Everyone still with me? See, I told you I’d get you caught up on what I was talking about and we aren’t even to the end yet! Alright, now that you have the general idea let’s get to the meat and potatoes of this written diatribe shall we? Ok, let’s do this!
How would it work?
While, sifting through movies, games and TV shows you could also view a menu of possible reading selections. A simple interface with a list of comics that would allow select the one you want to read is all you’d need. Then all you’d have to do is hit the next button on the device to flip the pages. It would be a lot more like reading on a Kindle I suppose. The pages would be full color and look great on the little digital screens. Pretty simple to make happen it would seem to me.
Continued belowWhat kind of comics would be available to view on this bad boy?
It would probably have to be a slightly limited selection you’d have to choose from but you could still keep it fairly expansive as it pertains to genre. You could have a selection of TPB’s and single issues. I would recommend supplying the passengers with an option of older and newer comics.
Keep in mind when I say newer I don’t mean last weeks comics. That would be a logistical nightmare on all ends and would surely call for a quick end to this little endeavor. The new comics could be a selection of titles from the previous month or even a few months back. You wouldn’t want them to be too old though because it would be nice for passengers who are reading for the first time to get a general idea of what is currently out there and then try and seek the following issues out after the flight.
The titles I would include would run the gamut of genres and styles. I would include kid friendly titles like Marvel Adventures and DC’s Johnny DC imprint. I would also include regular continuity titles such as Batman and X-Men, titles that most people would recognize. This would allow for children to enjoy some comics that wouldn’t include any unwanted surprises for their parents.
Lastly, I would include titles that maybe people hadn’t heard of that skewed more toward the reader who views superhero comics and the such as lowbrow entertainment. You probably couldn’t put a lot of Vertigo on there unless you added an age verification system and as nice as it would be I could see that gumming up the works. So maybe works like Wonderful World of OZ and Marvel literature series including all the Stephen King Marvel stuff. Also, Joe the Barbarian would be a great selection.
If an age verification system could be worked in I would add some of the industries best. Y: The Last Man and Fables would be great choices. Preacher and other books of that nature would be great options too.
(And here we mark beer number two! Hell yes for drinking on the plane and getting work done! Self high-five!)
Bottom Line: How would the airline and comic industry benefit?
Let’s be frank shall we? If it doesn’t make dollars it doesn’t make sense when it comes to business ventures. Neither side would agree to be involved with anything like this unless they BOTH could make some sweet cash money. They also could careless about jumping on board if they didn’t think that passengers would use the service. So would they?
I truly think passengers would and that money is to be made. It’d be cheap for the airlines and if they can make money off something that costs them little they’re all over that shit, as we all know. I mean they charge for pillows, these digital things, extra luggage and so much more. Entertainment is always in demand as well. So as far as the airlines go this seems like money in the bank. Shorty, whatcha think? (Anyone who gets the reference get’s a Burpee digital high five!)
Now how would the comic industry benefit from this business venture? Well obviously there is short-term monetary benefit. That goes without saying. Money in the industries hands is always welcome. That honestly is the least beneficial thing in my opinion though.
The opportunity to attract new readers who wouldn’t otherwise give comics a shot is the real super score. Let me run down the situation we’re looking at more often than not:
You have a plane full of antsy passengers who are stuck on a flight that no matter how short is still too fucking long. These people rent the digital players to watch movies and maybe play a game of solitaire. After time they’ve done both and find themselves fiddling around with the player and what do they stumble upon? Comics!
Continued belowThey aren’t sure what to think about it but man are they bored. So they take the leap and select the comic’s category and peruse the selection. Bam! Potential comic reader in the making as long as they find something they find compelling enough to read. Either way both sides already got their money.
Granted not everyone will find something they want to read and may not even take the leap into the wet and wild ocean of comics. Personally I bet more would than wouldn’t. I mean I know I’m inclined to discover new things to do when I’m bored and my options are starting to become limited. Being bored with limited options just about sums up airplane trips doesn’t it?
Mind you this whole scenario doesn’t even cover the kids on flights who would totally dig it and their parents who would too because occupying your kid on a long flight is clutch. Trust me on this ladies and gentleman as I speak from experience. It also doesn’t cover the fanpeeps who fly just like the rest of the uninitiated masses. How many of you loyal readers would pass over an excellent opportunity to enjoy the paneled world of comics from 35,000 feet in the air? I wouldn’t that’s for damn sure.
At the end of each comic you could include the phone number or website address for the comic shop locater allowing these newly initiated readers to even more easily find comics while their feet are planted on mother Earth. This makes it not only good for airlines and comic companies but also makes it a great resource for local comic shops.
So what do you think? Would you use the reader if airlines supplied them? Let me know what you think by hitting that ever-present comment button. I’d love to hear all of your opinions.
(Multiversity Comics does not condone drinking alcohol if you are under 21 years of age, pregnant, on medication, or are just an asshole when drinking.)
