2000AD GOES DIGITAL: TAKING BRIT COMICS ONLINE

[MattBrady]

by Benjamin Ong Pang Kean

Greetings, humans! (or in the words of omnipresent editor Tharg the Mighty, it’s “Borag Thungg, Earthlet!”)

Thrill-power is about to go global!

The Galaxy’s Greatest Comic has announced that it’s teamed up with webcomic specialists Clickwheel to produce digital versions of 2000AD, the United Kingdom’s long-running cult sci-fi weekly anthology comic.

2000 AD has featured Judge Dredd, Rogue Trooper, Strontium Dog and hundreds of other characters over the past 25 years. With this new digital initiative, digital copies of 2000AD will be available one week after the printed version, allowing fans across the world to get their Thrill-fix sooner than ever before.

The first downloadable issue will be available on www.clickwheel.net or via direct links from www.2000ADonline.com on Wednesday 19 December 2007, and will continue weekly from then on. This will mark the first time ever that a sci-fi comic will be available weekly in both print and online versions.

Join Tharg (who’s most probably current 2000AD editor Matt Smith) and his droids in their latest step towards global domination. Don’t be a Nonscrot (or someone who doesn’t read 2000AD! Embrace the future, Squaxx dek Thargo (or friends of Tharg)!

Newsarama.com sat down with 2000AD's Matt Smith; Kristien Wendt, Director of Character Communications; and Clickwheel’s Tim Demeter about the whole digital deal.

Newsarama: How and when did the decision to put digital versions of 2000AD on the World Wide Web? How long has it been in development?

2000AD: Rebellion, the parent company of 2000AD purchased Clickwheel early in 2007. Clickwheel is a site that specializes in distributing comics digitally. With Clickwheel and 2000AD under one roof it was almost immediately apparent that with the technology of the former and the content of the latter already in place, it was pretty clear where we were going to head together. So to answer your question, things have been progressing behind the scenes for about a year.

NRAMA: What were the key areas of concern when developing this system?

2000AD: There are of course the obvious concerns of developing any online application like this, particularly ensuring the security of our users and protecting our own content, but on a less strictly technical end our prime concern lies with making sure we’re offering content that people want in a way that is intuitive and convenient. We know with the quality of content that 2000AD offers we have no worries in terms of product, but we are constantly innovating to improve the experience and we are already working on things far, far grander than what the public will see in our beta launch on the 19th.

NRAMA: Is there a name attached to this initiative? I'm thinking "2000AD Online" since it's already recognized worldwide but that's just me…

2000AD: A few names were batted around, but in the end the initiative is simply called “2000AD” at this point, which is to say it has no specific name like Zuda or Marvel’s DCU. We don’t feel a new label or brand serves any purpose to what we’re trying to achieve as “2000AD” is not paper and staples or megabytes and pixels it is the actual content our creators bring to the readers. How the readers choose to get that content doesn’t change what it is. Comics are comics no matter how you read them.

NRAMA: What prompted you to go this route? I read that this move was made to benefit 2000AD readers from across the world, "who have had to endure higher shipping costs and a longer wait"…

2000AD: That’s exactly right. Our primary objective is global outreach; first to our existing readers then to out to the rest of the market. There is a lot of great stuff coming out of 2000AD right now, but distribution channels are what they are and it’s just not that easy for some people that we know would love the comic to get their hands on it. Now anyone with a computer can get his or her copy anytime, anywhere.

It also allows for easy catch-up. 2000AD is a weekly anthology comic and if you miss an issue and your retailer sells out, you may lose out on some of those stories. Now with our online version, readers can download that issue and never miss a beat.

NRAMA: In doing so, i.e. by going digital, is there a concern that the print version would become obsolete? Why is the print version still a viable business model?

2000AD: Absolutely. The print version is now, and will continue to be the core of 2000AD’s business. The digital version is not designed to replace it, but rather augment it. We know that for many fans that experience of holding something in their hands is irreplaceable, and those fans are equally as irreplaceable to us. The digital version of 2000AD is there to reach out to potential new audiences who may not be able to readily get the printed edition in their area or to younger readers who are used to getting the better part of their entertainment online. I know retailers lose sleep at the notion of comics online, but we feel the fans currently enjoying 2000AD in print will continue to do so and moreover we expect that the influx of new readers the digital version reaches will result in some of them opting to read the comic in print, actually increasing print sales.

NRAMA: Will it be subscription-based like what Marvel's doing with Digital Comics Unlimited? Or is it free for anyone who has a computer?

2000AD: Ultimately, we will have several payment options available, primarily iTunes style ala’ carte purchases, as well as long-term subscriptions, but there too our subscriptions will have more in common with a TV season pass on iTunes than what Marvel is doing with DCU. The difference is our content is downloadable, so you actually purchase the file, whereas with DCU you’re essentially renting it. You can only view the comic at the DCU site and only with an active subscription. With 2000AD you make one purchase and that comic is just as much yours as if you picked it up at your local comic shop. They’re just different business model with their own strengths and weaknesses, but we’re certainly glad to see Marvel embracing digital comics too!


We will also offer some free 2000AD preview content and in addition the Clickwheel site hosts over 100 independent comics, all of which are free.

NRAMA: What kind of reader view mode are you looking at?

2000AD: There is none needed with “2000AD”. Fancy Flash interfaces and effects are cool, but we feel they only interfere with the reading experience. All 2000AD comics are downloadable PDF files that can be viewed in any number of viewers that come with your computer, all of which support scrolling and zooming with zero load time. We’re not trying to simulate the experience of reading a printed comic; rather we’re letting the digital comic play to its own native strengths.

Also, Clickwheel is the leading provider of webcomics for Apple products such as the iPod and the new iPhone, so we’ve expanded the hardware route to the reader and in so providing immense flexibility, so you can read your download anywhere, just like the print version.

NRAMA: Can this system be used on PC, Mac and any browser of the user's choice or are there restrictions in those areas?

2000AD: We’re completely cross platform and the site runs on all major browsers.

NRAMA: Will there be a system in place to avoid online piracy, file sharing, etc? Or is it not a major concern right now?

2000AD: Of course we’ll be doing our level best to restrict piracy, everyone is, but at the same time music piracy gave birth to it’s now thriving digital delivery methods. With things like this if you can’t stop it completely you need to find ways to turn it around and make it work for you. We have our eye on that.

Also, our pricing has never been an issue when compared to lifestyle products such as Music, DVD’s or Computer games, so whilst we understand some customers may go the piracy route, others may just want the overall ‘2000AD Experience’ which we will provide in abundance.

NRAMA: How will you acquire customers for "2000AD"? Search engine marketing, affiliate network marketing, e-mail communications, others?

2000AD: We have more than a few things on the boil in that regard, but we can’t give away all of our ideas now can we? Outside of our external efforts we know we’re bringing some great comics to a whole new audience and that alone should help us attract customers.

NRAMA: Just how many readers are you estimating to get their Thrill-fix from this bold move? What's the estimated traffic numbers that you're projecting?

2000AD: Lots!

NRAMA: The current plan is to make the digital copies available one week after the printed version, right?

2000AD: Right. We feel one of our greatest strengths is that we are going to be offering users brand new issues of 2000AD in their entirety each and every week.

NRAMA: Marvel's D.C.U. currently allows subscribers to read more than 2,500 titles, and these include current (well, as current as current can be as there's a 6-month time lag between the print and online editions) issues as well as comics from as old as Amazing Spider-Man from the 1960s. Are there plans to open the 2000AD back issues vault?

2000AD: Absolutely. The archive will grow in both directions with new issues arriving weekly and past editions continually being added to the archive.

NRAMA: So, the first downloadable issue will be made available on Clickwheel or via direct links from the 2000AD Online site on December 19th, right?

2000AD: Yes, 2000AD’s 100pp Christmas prog will be available right on the 19th. Besides offering extra content, it features all-new stories all starting at page 1, making it a great issue for readers to jump into.

NRAMA: Exactly what kind of stories will readers be able to check out for the beta launch?

2000AD: You’ll have to wait and see!

NRAMA: Do you have plans to adapt this system to be used on portable devices like mobile phones, etc?

2000AD: As I mentioned, our PDF downloads will read on many smart phones and we already have some dedicated mobile content available as well. Clickwheel’s specialty is distributing comics to iPods and iPhones and we are going to leverage that experience to offer completely new ways to read comics at home and on the go.

[jockonline]

great news - i hope this helps spread the good word of 2000AD far and wide.

jock



www.jockonline.co.uk

[The_Adventurer]

Thank you god, for this getting reported on a mainstream news site.

2000AD is the best comic on the stands. Bar none.

[Blackbeard]

Outstanding news!

I've had a heckuva time getting 2000AD, so this will solve that problem nicely.

[HomerdaBorg]

This is good stuff.... Hope it works out!

[hunterjax]

This is truly great news! Over the years I have read many issues of 2000 AD and sister mag, the Judge Dread Megazine. When I lived in NYC, the book was often easily available at places like Jim Hanley's Universe and Midtown Comics.

When I moved back to Providence, though, it became near impossible to find a shop that imported the book on any kind of regular schedule or at a reasonable price.

I have recently, again thought about ordering the book through the DCBS website, but have held back due to the pricing problem, especially considering the book is weekly.

If the pricing on the website is anywhere near or under the normal price of an American comic, I will be all over it. If they offer good discounts for subscriptions, count me in even more.

This is great news and I encourage all you 'Rama-readers to jump on ths opportunity.

[ljacone]

Sweet merciful crap! My thrillpower is off the charts!

I'm a big fan of Dredd, Strontium Dogs, the ABC Robots, Nikolai Dante, Sinister Dexter, and all the rest of the 2000AD crew, but it's difficult and unreliable for me to get progs stateside with any sort of timeliness. This will hopefully alleviate that problem for me. And if anyone thinks about pirating Tharg's hard work, I've got three words: "Drop it, creep!"

[ssava]

Cool!
I'd love to take a look. I've heard of it before...but never had a chance to check it out.

[Xero]

Excellent move and a great product from a venerable magazine that warped my young mind long long ago, in a land far far away.

I heartily endorse this candidate.

[SouthtownKid]

Great news -- I'll be very interested to hear about pricing. Will the current issues of the Megazine and Extreme Editions be online, as well?

[Amoebas]

Excellent - I haven't gotten 2000 AD for quite a while now. I needs me some Dredd. Anybody know if there was anymore Chopper stuff after Song of the Surfer? (he couldn't really be dead could he?)

[ArchonComics]

Good news, indeed! Can't wait to check it out.

[The Germ]

Originally Posted by Amoebas

Excellent - I haven't gotten 2000 AD for quite a while now. I needs me some Dredd. Anybody know if there was anymore Chopper stuff after Song of the Surfer? (he couldn't really be dead could he?)

Of course he's not dead!!!

[BlueThunderArmy]

Very cool. Now that I'm back in the States, this will make getting 2000AD quite a bit easier (and, I hope, cheaper).

[Spy_Smasher]

Interesting. Compared to Marvel's model, this seems an improvement, if not exactly perfect. After all, they are offering 2000A.D. as subscribe-to-own instead of subscribe-to-rent. I'm still hoping that the majors and mid-sized publishers will move to an advertising-based revenue structure for their long-term archives. Maybe I'm just being selfish -- personally, I'm primarily interested in digital comics as archival material. For primary reading material, there's still nothing as good as paper, imho, and, yes, 2000A.D. is on my LCS pull list.

[darrenmdr]

Cool can't wait to try it out.

[nwspencer]

Absolutely great news, and hopefully a model more publishers will follow. I'd have gone with CBRs over PDFs, but other than that, this is perfect. Great work!

[Doc Nero]

Excellent news! If they can do the back catalogue that will be great. Hope the characters that are now owned by other companies (Dan Dare, The IPC Characters including Archie & Kelly's Eye) will not prevent stories like 2000a.d.'s version of Dan Dare and the third series of Zenith from being published on line.

[AbacusComics]

Cool, another great step into the world of Digital comics.

[Jack_Bauer]

Finally. I've been bumping a thread about this for the past week.

EDIT: Read the article. I'm glad that they're going to do a tv show subscription pass like model, along with individual comics. I hope they offer the Christmas issue for free though, so I can decide if my eyes (or printer if it comes to that) can handle reading it online.

[Mundungus]

I'd definitely like to check this out, because I've always wanted get into some of the 2000AD material, but I can't find many places that sell it in my area, if at all (are there places in America were it comes out in regular comic shops?).

[Lars]

To me, this is bigger tham Marvel online, since I have most of what I want from them already. Heck, the first Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, Alan Davis, Gran Morrison, DnA, etc etc!

I just wonder if they'll have Zenith... probably not. I wish that would clear up... it's almost as bad as Miracleman from a fan-deprivation standpoint.

[GMSLegion]

I can't wait for the back issues to show up, so I can buy the one that I am missing (# 1208) !

[Spy_Smasher]

Originally Posted by Mundungus

I'd definitely like to check this out, because I've always wanted get into some of the 2000AD material, but I can't find many places that sell it in my area, if at all (are there places in America were it comes out in regular comic shops?).

My fairly typical suburban Long Island, New York LCS carries a few copies on the shelf and the owner will order as many are needed for his regulars.

[The_Adventurer]

Originally Posted by Mundungus

I'd definitely like to check this out, because I've always wanted get into some of the 2000AD material, but I can't find many places that sell it in my area, if at all (are there places in America were it comes out in regular comic shops?).

Its so niche you pretty much always have to special order it out of Previews. Which is a TRAVESTY. The worst part is, almost no US retailers bother to order extra copies of the TPs that Rebellion chugs out every month. So if you don't special order those, you'll never find them.