The digital comics change is an ever-shifting one, something that seems to grow and evolve at a quicker rate than the advances of print comics. But today, there’s some great news on the digital front as DRM-Free comics become more of the collective norm.
Previously, ComiXology had announced that Image, Dynamite, Zenescope, Monkeybrain, Thrillbent and Top Shelf would be offering DRM-free comics with your downloads through the platform, in addition to any ComiXology Submit members who wanted to have that option. Today, however, the amount of publishers to now offer DRM-Free comics increases a great amount to now include IDW, Valiant, Oni, Fantagraphics, Aspen, Action Lab, Th3rd World, A Wave Blue World, Blind Ferret, Caliber, Creative Impulse, Devil’s Due, GT Labs and Kingstone.
There are only a few noteworthy publishers that are not participating in ComiXology’s DRM-Free programming, including but not limited to Marvel and DC. While I do not expect Marvel or DC are particularly interested, it is interesting to see note a few bigger publishers like Dark Horse and BOOM! not involved in the current announcement.
Still, as digital comics become more and more as part of our collective norm, it’s great to see publishers expand and allow for fans to have bigger control of their digital comics. It’s also very interesting to see ComiXology’s move post-Amazon partnership, as many — including us — feared the potential impact of some of the immediate changes. While the loss of something like the ability to make in-app purchases, the additions that ComiXology has been adding to their platform is certainly a consistent plus.
For the full press release from ComiXology, please see below.
ComiXology Press Release
Today comiXology, the revolutionary cloud-based digital comics platform, unveiled the latest group of publishers offering DRM-free backups, allowing comiXology customers to download and store copies of their books. ComiXology’s new DRM-free backup feature was announced this past July during Comic-Con International.
The second wave of participating publishers include IDW Publishing, Valiant Entertainment, Oni Press, Fantagraphics Books, Aspen Comics, Action Lab Entertainment, Th3rd World Studios, A Wave Blue World, Blind Ferret Entertainment, Caliber Comics, Creative Impulse Entertainment, Devil’s Due Entertainment, GT Labs Comics and Kingstone Media. They join Image Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, Zenescope Entertainment, MonkeyBrain Comics, Thrillbent, and Top Shelf Productions in offering this new option to customer. Creators using comiXology Submit also have the option to offer their comics, graphic novels, and manga as DRM-free backups.
“After the wildly successful launch during Comic-Con International we’re thrilled to offer our customers an even greater selection with this next wave of publishers offering DRM-free backups,” said comiXology VP of Communications & Marketing Chip Mosher. “We look forward to continuing to work with more publishers in offering DRM-free backups to comics fans worldwide.”
To obtain the DRM-free backups of digital comics on comiXology, customers can go to the “My Books” section of comixology.com on their desktop computers and click the button that appears next to their books. Books and series from the second wave of participating publishers will be available for backup starting today. Backups from participating publishers can be downloaded in high definition PDF and CBZ.
Customers will continue to enjoy all their purchases – whether available as a DRM-free backup or not – on the comiXology platform in comiXology’s exclusive cinematic Guided View reading experience, anytime and anywhere.
With over 50,000 comics and graphic novels from more than 75 publishers, comiXology offers the widest selection of digital comics in the world. ComiXology’s immense catalog and cinematic Guided View reading experience makes it the best digital platform for comic and graphic novel fans worldwide.
Find your favorite comics and graphic novels at www.comixology.com and try the comiXology app available on all major mobile platforms.
About comiXology
ComiXology, an Amazon.com, Inc. subsidiary (NASDAQ:AMZN), has revolutionized the comic book and graphic novel industry by delivering a cloud-based digital comics platform that makes discovering, buying, and reading comics more fun than ever before. ComiXology’s Guided View reading technology transforms the comic book medium into an immersive and cinematic experience, helping comiXology become a top ten grossing iPad app in 2011 and 2012 and the top grossing non-game iPad app in 2012 and 2013. Offering the broadest library of comic book content from over 75 publishers – and independent creators as well – comiXology will not stop until everyone on the face of the planet has become a comic book fan. ComiXology is based in New York City, with offices in Los Angeles. For more information visit www.comixology.com.
