Amazon’s comiXology represents an unprecedented online presence for the comic book world. Kicking off in 2013, the cloud-based purveyor began building its library, and now offers a 100,000 digital comics, graphic novels, and manga. Last year, they began a subscription model service, known as Unlimited – where super-fans can pay a monthly fee for access to thousands of comic books across several different platforms, including Android, Fire Tablet, and iOS.
Following Amazon's announcement, many noticed that two major publishers were conspicuously absent from the revolutionary service – The Big Two Marvel and DC – who have or are working on their own online subscription services. However, it looks like things have changed, at least for Marvel.
ComiXology announced today that it was now offering “select” Marvel titles through their Unlimited service. Best-selling comics from top heroes, like Jessica Jones, Spider-Man, Black Panther, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and Star Wars favorites like Darth Vader will be available for a monthly rate of $5.99. Select trade paperback collections, such as the classic Civil War event, will also be available for Prime and Kindle Unlimited users. ComiXology Co-Founder and CEO David Steinberger expressed his excitement at adding Marvel’s library to the Unlimited service:
“We are thrilled to have part of Marvel’s vast library of Super Heroes join comiXology Unlimited, Kindle Unlimited, and Prime Reading. With the addition of Marvel Comics this is a great opportunity to discover and explore the best that comics have to offer. And for those just starting out reading Marvel Comics, Kindle Unlimited and Prime Reading are great places to begin.”
In addition, Unlimited also offers readers scores of other comic titles, including 10,000 manga, graphic novels, and bandes dessinées (French-Belgian comics) from companies including IDW, Image, Dark Horse, Oni Press, and many others. ComiXology rotates their titles monthly, so users will be able to enjoy fresh titles each month. At present, Marvel is offering these top-selling titles (among others), available to read today:
All-New Wolverine (2015-) #1-#10
Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1.1: Learning To Crawl
Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 3: Spider-Verse
America (2017-) #1
Black Panther: Who Is The Black Panther?
Black Widow (2014-2015) #1-#12
Cable & Deadpool Vol. 1: If Looks Could Kill
Civil War
Elektra (2017-) #1
Fantastic Four Special 2005 #1
Gamora (2016-) #1-#3
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1: Cosmic Avengers
Guardians of the Galaxy: New Guard Vol. 1: Emperor Quill
Invincible Iron Man (2008-2012) #1-#12
Iron Fist (2017-) #1
Ms. Marvel Vol. 1: No Normal
Rocket Raccoon (2016-) #1-#2
Runaways Vol. 1: Pride and Joy
She-Hulk Vol. 3: Time Trials
Spider-Gwen Vol. 1: Greater Power
Star Wars Vol. 1: Skywalker Strikes
Star Wars: Darth Maul (2017-) #1
Star Wars: Darth Vader Vol. 1: Vader
X-23 (2010-2012) #1-#16
X-Men Prime (2017) #1
The House of Ideas will also make a number of classic trade paperback collections accessible through Kindle Unlimited (for a roughly $10 per month), beginning today, in addition to 20 other titles for American Prime Unlimited customers:
Astonishing X-Men Vol. 1: Gifted
Spider-Man Vol. 1: Brand New Day
New Avengers Vol. 1: Breakout
Deadpool Vol. 1: Secret Invasion
Star Wars Vol. 1: Skywalker Strikes
Thor by J. Michael Straczynski Vol. 1
Captain America: Winter Soldier Vol. 1
Hawkeye Vol. 1: My Life As A Weapon
Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat! Vol. 1: Hooked On A Feline
Ms. Marvel Vol. 1: No Normal
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1: Cosmic Avengers
Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1: The Parker Luck
Immortal Iron Fist Vol. 1: The Last Iron Fist Story
Jessica Jones: Alias Vol. 1
Star Wars: Darth Vader Vol. 1: Vader
Black Panther: Who Is The Black Panther?
Daredevil by Mark Waid Vol. 1
Captain Marvel Vol. 1: Higher, Further, Faster, More
Legendary Star-Lord Vol. 1: Face It, I Rule
The Punisher Vol. 1: Black and White
Marvel’s choice to join comiXology represents a major coup for Amazon, as their subscription service now covers just about every major comic publisher. The company now offers a vast selection of titles across almost dozens of genres and from around the world – although Google Books is also seeking to revolutionize their digital comic format to compete. Aside from its presence on comiXology, Marvel will also, presumably, continue to operate their own Marvel Unlimited digital platform. Embracing Amazon's service will continue to legitimize the cloud-based comic book format, which is slowly playing a larger role in the comic book market.
At this point, DC remains the only major comic book player without a presence on the monthly subscription service. Since the Big Two often hinge their major business decisions off one another, to a degree, it's possible DC will decide to join comiXology Unlimited alongside their competitor. On the other hand, the Superman publisher may have other plans in mind – especially since they’ve been exploring Amazon for direct subscriptions.
Source: comiXology