DC Comics Takes Digital Comics By Storm
DC Comics, publisher of such classic characters as Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman surprised the comics industry as a whole when they announced, out of the blue last Wednesday that their new comics app was available for the iPad and iPhone – a huge surprise, given that no one knew they were even working on it. Among the offerings is Justice League Generation Lost #4, which just came out in comics stores that day, meaning that DC has jumped straight into “day and date” availability – that is, that DC will make some comics available digitally on the same day they appear in stores. Comics will be priced in a tiered system, ranging from $0.99 to $2.99 depending on age and cover price. Previously, DC representatives had said that DC was working on a digital initiative of some kind, but details had not been forthcoming. DC Comics are available in a digital format through Comixology's Comics app and a special DC Comics only app produced for them by Comixology – a fact effectively making Comixology the digital equivalent of Diamond Comics Distribution, given that they also digitally distribute Marvel Comics. Further discussion of the subject is available from PWCW's own Heidi MacDonald.
Marvel Says Goodbye to Wizard World
After Marvel quietly failed to appear at comics convention Wizard World Philly—after years of regular attendance—for the third year in a row, Marvel's Tom Brevoort said that it seemed Marvel was “... done, at least for the moment, with the Wizard conventions” in answer to a question on Formspring.
Tokyopop Brings Full Graphic Novels Online
Manga publisher Tokyopop has announced that it has just made digital editions of some of their full-length manga graphic novels available for purchase and download through the site Zinio.com. Current offerings include the full English language run to date of The Tarot Cafe, both volumes of Earthlight, and The Dreaming volumes 1-3. The digital editions are priced at $5.99 each, $4 cheaper than their print editions.
Kids Comic Con Goes To Africa On Kickstarter
Kids Comic Con is looking for donations through crowd-sourced fundraiser website Kickstarter.com to make it possible for them to take the Kids Comic Con Roadshow to Senegal, Africa. The Senegal event would be a full scale event for over 700 children and their parents. Founded in 2007 by comics writer, YA novelist and educational activist Alex Simmons, Kids Comic Con caters to comics-loving children, parents and educators and focuses on comics as both entertainment and as educational tool. Events include includes panels, hands-on workshops directed by comics professionals and a wide variety of comics creator guests. Kickstarter is a website that allows artists and innovators to raise money from the general public, taking pledges of support for amounts as low as $1 and often offering incentives such as books or t-shirts for contributions of a set amount. If enough money is raised to fund the project, the pledged amount will then be withdrawn from the accounts of those who have pledged. If not, no one has lost money. Pledges can be made here.
David Hine's Bulletproof Coffin #1 Free Online
Bulletproof Coffin #1, the latest work from comics creators David Hine and Shaky Kane, is now available to read free online at Bleeding Cool. The print edition of the issue has sold out.
This Week @ Good Comics For Kids
This week School Library Journal’s blog Good Comics for Kids had a discussion on keeping your library's manga collection current, the Good Comics For Kids summer reading list, the 6/23 listing of comics suitable for all ages and a Good Comics For Kids at the ALA themed links roundup from Brigid Alverson.
This Week @ The Beat
This week PWCW editor Heidi MacDonald’s blog The Beat covered the “royalty war” that has been an interesting side effect of DC's new digital comics push, Tubby by John Stanley (the creator of Nancy) returns to print, San Diego's enlightening new study on exactly how much money San Diego Comic Con brings in (hint, a lot), and hosted a complete Beasts of Burden comic from acclaimed comics creators Jill Thompson and Evan Dorkin as well as a discussion of whether or not artists must also be businesspeople .
