In an exclusive over at CBR, Image Comics has announced that they will be coming to market with a way of selling directly to readers: Image Direct. While selling subscriptions is nothing new for comics publishers, I can’t help but wonder how such a service will be received when offered by Image. The way it works is pretty simple: there are 42 titles available, and the more you subscribe to, the deeper the discount. You can save between 10 and 30% off cover price, with those who go all in and subscribe to everything getting the maximum discount of 35%. Keep in mind that you pay for the entire year up front, so that big I’m-gonna-get-it-all discount means that you’ll be plunking down $1,117.99 at checkout. Single subscriptions start at a more modest $35.88 for 12 issues.
In a market with subscriber discounts, mail order services, and the ever-present Amazon, it’ll be interesting seeing how this new service fits into things. Image Direct will only ship once a month, so for readers who are used to staying current there may be a period of adjustment. But, the prices may make switching a little bit easier. If you’re just subscribing to one or two titles, you’re looking at a cover price around $2.75. By comparison, the aforementioned mega-bundle comes to about $2.22 an issue. For more information, you can visit Image’s subscription page and check out the press release below.
IMAGE COMICS LAUNCHES MAIL-ORDER SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE: IMAGE DIRECT
Customers can now opt to purchase 12-issue subscriptions to their favorite Image comics and have them mailed to their door
Image Comics is pleased to announce Image Direct, a newly launched mail-order subscription service that allows fans to purchase 12-issue subscriptions to their favorite Image comics and have them delivered straight to their doorstep. Image Direct serves continental U.S. customers only. Subscribe here: http://subscriptions.imagecomics.com/.
Image Direct will allow subscribing readers to receive the latest issues of over 35 titles, including THE WALKING DEAD, SAGA, SEX CRIMINALS, WYTCHES, BLACK SCIENCE, VELVET, RAT QUEENS and more, immediately upon release. Subscribers will receive discounts of up to 30% off and will have the option to subscribe to every available title and receive 35% off.
“Even with all the wonderful work our retailer partners in the Direct Market do, the number one comment we get from fans is they frequently can’t find the Image titles they’re looking for,” said Eric Stephenson, Publisher at Image Comics. “Given that there are fewer comic book stores than ever before, we’re hoping that Image Direct makes our titles available to fans who don’t have easy access to a local comic book store, or whose shop doesn’t carry the full range of Image titles.”
Image Direct launches today. Readers interested in subscribing to the service can find more information on how to sign up here: http://subscriptions.imagecomics.com/.
