MARVEL UNVEILS DIGITAL COMICS

**MattBrady** · 12-14-2005, 10:16 AM

With zero fanfare, Marvel has launched its latest foray into online comics on its website.

Simply called “Digital Comics” on the site, (though internal references still call them “Dotcomics” – the name of the Bill Jemas era incarnation of Marvel’s digital comics, and there are several “Dotcomics” still available at Marvel.com) the selection of comics available to read online in the new format currently includes Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1, Captain America #1, She-Hulk #1 (volume 1), and an episode for Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius entitled “Tons of Fun.”

The return to online editions of their comics was somewhat announced last week, when the members of the press were e-mailed access to view the upcoming Next Wave #1 in a Digital Comic format. Questions about the new format and initiative during the press conference went unanswered by Marvel representatives at the conference, who said that more news on the format would be coming later. This was restated in an e-mail received by the press after the conference which stated that Next Wave #1 will not be the debut comic of the Digital Comics line, as some reports had implied. The e-mail also indicated that Digital Comic versions of issues would not be released at the same time the issues hit shops. The “news” of the press conference, the e-mail insisted, was the Warren Ellis projects (Next Wave and newuniversal, not Digital Comics).

Last Friday though, in Newsarama’s regular “Joe Fridays” Q&A with Marvel Editor in Chief Joe Quesada, the E-I-C did have some news, and explained a little of the rationale behind this return to digital forms of Marvel comics, something he once said he opposed.

Quesada said: “For the longest time I’ve been an advocate that fans will always want the tangible book in their hands, and I came to that feeling because of what I saw as the reading habits of most folks on the net. But recently I’ve been a convert, I’m watching a very young generation of kids who are born into today’s computers and I realized that my take on this was completely selfish and was coming from a point of all that I knew and not what was really happening out there. My generation and those before me found comics on racks, we found them at stores, we found them as marked up collectables or as mylared treasures. So as I discovered them, that is how I prefer them. But there is a time coming, when for some kids the very first time they read a comic they’ll be reading it on their computer or their phone or PDA. That’s what comics will be to them and that number of kids will grow rapidly. Fans ask how we can bring the price of comics down; this is how it may happen.

“No print cost, minimal distribution and no shipping. I see comics someday in this format possibly becoming like weekly animation that you just download and read but also watch. The electronics medium is growing so quickly, it won’t be long before we’ll be able to take John Romita’s art and animate it quickly to the point where comics and their stories may come to the public as mini animated movies. Comics will eventually have to adapt to the coming media revolution, so this is just one more step towards that.”

Weighing Quesada’s comments while looking at the current Digital Comics at Marvel.com, one must assume that what we’re seeing now are the first steps in the direction the E-i-C pointed toward.

Registration at Marvel.com is required to view the full issue (presented in a Flash viewer), and the issues can be read in one of two formats: “smart panels” or “page by page.” Smart panels will advance the reader to the next panel with a click onscreen, while page by page feels like reading a comic via .pdf, making the smart panels the smoother method to view the online comics. The resolution appears to need some tweaking as well, as zooming in to read the word balloons (which are crisp and clear), reveals the art to be pixilated. Ads are currently limited to “inside” the front cover, where ads for Marvel subscriptions and Marvel.com’s wallpapers can be found. The format cannot be downloaded on to portable devices

Given Quesada’s comments, and the launch, it may be a safe assumption that Marvel is again testing the waters with this format, eyeing it as a possible pay model for fans to get their comics. Though not commented on publicly in detail by representatives from Marvel or DC, scanned copies of comics are available online, most within hours of reaching store shelves. Both publishes, along with other smaller publishers have yet to take any action similar to that seen by the recording or movie industries to stop the scanning and downloading, with the lack of action seen by some advocates as tacit approval. For years, proponents of legal, downloadable digital comics have been advocating a move which would see comics available (shortly after, or at the same time as print publication) for download for a price. As Quesada said, the late twentysomehting and thirtysomething comic readers of today may be the last generation to know comics solely as a print medium. For those who’ve come to view comics online (as any preview here at Newsarama shows), the allure of the online version is great – the whites are whiter, the colors brighter, and the images sharper than seen in print.

The implications of Marvel (or DC, or Dark Horse, Image, or any other publisher) fully embracing a downloadable, fee-based system of delivering digital versions of comics would be vast. While arguments of readership increase could easily be made, so could those of potential damage done to retailers who have, for years, sold the paper versions of comics – both the new, and back issues, the economics of which could be dealt a serious blow if one company were to make their entire library available for download.

The move to downloadable comics, when and if American comic book publishers make it, won’t be revolutionary - manga publishers, such as eigoManga and Seven Seas have already embraced the PSP, releasing sample pages and full graphic novels in PSP-friendly formats, with a massive fan community in Japan and the US scanning and making other titles available as well.

Vysion · 12-14-2005, 10:30 AM

I like the She-Hulk comic so I thumbed through the preview. It gave five pages of the #1 issue before requiring site registration. The preview had a full page view and a zoom feature which allowed progression per comic panel. The splash page progressed down in four clicks. Overall it is a neat feature for a high speed connection, but really the comics act as a teaser only.

bossofbam · 12-14-2005, 10:36 AM

I appreciate what they are trying to do but it just doesn’t work for me. I want to hold the comic in my hand and see the whole thing, not panel by panel.

Make mine tangible!

Mr Wesley · 12-14-2005, 10:39 AM

Having just checked out FNS-M, This looks pretty nifty. Definitely easier to read than their last foray, and better navigation than CrossGen.

The only real drawback (and it is pretty substantial) is the pixilated artwork in the close-up frames. I'm sure this will be fixed with later additions, but right now it's fairly irritating. However, that is a small complaint for what is really a very good idea, and one whose time has come.

razorwing77 · 12-14-2005, 10:39 AM

I just checked it out. The format is pretty cool. It works better than the DVD collections they have out now, but honestly, I think I like the old dotComics format better.

But I think before I'd pay for one of these digital comics, the artwork needs to increase in resolution. On a big screen, the artwork gets very pixelated. But, of course, higher resolution means larger files.

But yeah, if Marvel ever got to the point where they had a comprehensive, iTunes-like online store including current issues, back issues, and exclusives, I'd buy some. Especially hard-to-find back issues I've always wanted to read.

SuperStories · 12-14-2005, 10:43 AM

If we buy the paper copy, I hope there is a way of getting the digital copy for free.

Carlos Javier · 12-14-2005, 10:51 AM

Well, I love the idea. I'll admit I initially I was in the "I have to hold comics in my hand" contingent, but after a while, you just get used to digital delivery. It's sort of like how some people are initially put off by the format of paper comic storytelling until they get used to it. The thing is, with the advent of the digital age, I'm sure there are plenty of people who are more comfortable with digital comics. Plenty probably read the online versions of newspaper comics or other comics of the sort. Getting them to join the comics community full-time is the trick, and I think Marvel's moving in the right direction. Let's hope they don't fall into the trap of believing that digital comics have to have the same format of paper comics.

Excelsior!

Punchy · 12-14-2005, 10:52 AM

There's that publicity for She-Hulk!

That's one Marvel Bashing line we can cross off!

Marchie77 · 12-14-2005, 10:53 AM

know what i miss? the marvel comics made ESPECIALLY for the computer that had a very limited animation and went from panel to panel... do THOSE again (Daredevil 1/2 was one)

SpyGuy · 12-14-2005, 11:00 AM

"Digital Comics"...or "DC" for short.

Say, that's catchy...

bossofbam · 12-14-2005, 11:00 AM

I reason I want to hold the comics in my hand are simple

I can't read online comics on a busy subway
I can't read online comics while sitting on the pot (you know you do that)
I can't read online comics laying down on my couch or bed.
I can't bring online comics on a plane with me (unless I have a laptop, which I don't)

etc.

Anyone understand that?

Carlos Javier · 12-14-2005, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marchie77
know what i miss? the marvel comics made ESPECIALLY for the computer that had a very limited animation and went from panel to panel... do THOSE again (Daredevil 1/2 was one)

agreed

Quote:

Originally posted by bossofbam
I reason I want to hold the comics in my hand are simple

I can't read online comics on a busy subway
I can't read online comics while sitting on the pot (you know you do that)
I can't read online comics laying down on my couch or bed.
I can't bring online comics on a plane with me (unless I have a laptop, which I don't)

etc.

Anyone understand that?

Paper comics aren't going anywhere. The question is, are you the type who's at least willing to give digital comics a chance? You can have the best of both worlds.

Ignacio Alcuri · 12-14-2005, 11:03 AM

A comic with animation is not a comic.

Midas · 12-14-2005, 11:04 AM

I still like the paper ones better, but I found this to be very readable. Once they fix the resolution on the artwork, this is viable--provided the price is right (unless you get a "permanent" electronic copy, then the right price better be pretty darn cheap).

Also, this will put the final stake through the heart of "collectibility" which is too bad, because that's a big part of the fun I think most of us get out of "collecting" comics.

saiyanspider · 12-14-2005, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bossofbam
I reason I want to hold the comics in my hand are simple

I can't read online comics on a busy subway
I can't read online comics while sitting on the pot (you know you do that)
I can't read online comics laying down on my couch or bed.
I can't bring online comics on a plane with me (unless I have a laptop, which I don't)

etc.

Anyone understand that?

can you say "killjoy"

all obvious points, but if these were made downloadable to a PSP or Ipod then that answers your points in one fell swoop. Digital will never replace books in general, but there is nothing wrong with an alternative.

Besides look at this as an alternative. In that I mean if there is a comic you like reading but don't want to own (we all know comics like those) you can buy the cheaper downloadable version, and that way save your money for the tangible product. Like I would buy She hulk as a downloadablem but by my Spider-man comics at the store like always.

Midas · 12-14-2005, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bossofbam
I reason I want to hold the comics in my hand are simple

I can't read online comics on a busy subway
I can't read online comics while sitting on the pot (you know you do that)
I can't read online comics laying down on my couch or bed.
I can't bring online comics on a plane with me (unless I have a laptop, which I don't)

etc.

Anyone understand that?

Not really. Before long, we'll all have relatively cheap and light tablet PCs (or something like it) and universal wireless internet access, so you will in fact be able to read these digital comics on the pot or in the subway, or on the couch...

GOSD · 12-14-2005, 11:08 AM

The beginning of the end.

cactusmaac · 12-14-2005, 11:12 AM

I'd probably use this service to get issues where I'm interested in checking out a new series or where I'd like to read issues of a comic which I would normally borrow but not pay for myself, like Punisher MAX.

That is if there was a cost saving.

Comics I want to keep for posterity would always be bought physically not electronically.

al_capone · 12-14-2005, 11:13 AM

I browsed through all of these and I must say, I really like what Marvel are doing here. Great idea! Now Marvel just need to recreate their website from scratch so that it's actually good and attractive so people will actually want to visit it.

al_capone · 12-14-2005, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cactusmaac
I'd probably use this service to get issues where I'm interested in checking out a new series or where I'd like to read issues of a comic which I would normally borrow but not pay for myself, like Punisher MAX.

I'm guessing that they'll only feature all ages/teenage comics on this service. 'The Punisher' Max series is probably way too graphic.

bossofbam · 12-14-2005, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by saiyanspider
can you say "killjoy"

all obvious points, but if these were made downloadable to a PSP or Ipod then that answers your points in one fell swoop.

IPOD? I want to read my comics on a 2 inch screen.

I'm not a killjoy, I just don't think that this is an option that appeals to me.

Kavalier · 12-14-2005, 11:21 AM

No fanfare at all. These have been up for at least a couple days.

Quote:

IPOD? I want to read my comics on a 2 inch screen.

It won't be mandatory. Chill out.

k

saiyanspider · 12-14-2005, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bossofbam
IPOD? I want to read my comics on a 2 inch screen.

I'm not a killjoy, I just don't think that this is an option that appeals to me.

Well that's a different kettle of fish then.

saiyanspider · 12-14-2005, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by al_capone
I browsed through all of these and I must say, I really like what Marvel are doing here. Great idea! Now Marvel just need to recreate their website from scratch so that it's actually good and attractive so people will actually want to visit it.

I think this should get it's own website, or a more prominent link on their homepage.

kingofcities · 12-14-2005, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Vysion
I like the She-Hulk comic so I thumbed through the preview. It gave five pages of the #1 issue before requiring site registration. The preview had a full page view and a zoom feature which allowed progression per comic panel. The splash page progressed down in four clicks. Overall it is a neat feature for a high speed connection, but really the comics act as a teaser only.

It's like you read my mind.

Only other thought is that when you zoom in the pages are VERY pixellated. They need to work on that. Hard to show off the art if it's all digitally muddied.