Though American fans have access to DC Universe Infinite the same unfortunately can't be said for the rest of the world. As with many forms of entertainment, comic books have turned to digital streaming in recent years. Subscription-based services like ComiXology Unlimited and Marvel Unlimited allow fans to access a vast library of contemporary and classic comics on their computers, smartphones, and tablets. However, DC Universe Infinite has one major flaw that nobody is talking about.
In 2018, DC Entertainment joined the digital subscription market with DC Universe, which brought their comics, television series, movies, and other exclusive content into one place. The platform saw the debut of some original adaptations, including Titans, Swamp Thing, Doom Patrol, and the Harley Quinn animated series. However, DC announced in September 2020 that the service would become a comics-exclusive platform the following January, with its other content moving to HBO Max. The launch of DC Universe Infinite, unlike its predecessor, promised to roll out in global markets starting in summer 2021 - but the service remains exclusive to US readers as of the time of writing.
Visiting DC Universe's website currently gives the following message to international fans: "Sorry, this service is only available in the US. We'll announce when it is available in your region." However, no update has been given since the release of DC Universe Infinite in January, nor any explanation as to why the company has not delivered on its promises for this summer. The staggered launch is most likely the result of licensing issues, as DC Entertainment is constrained by different contracts with publishers in other countries. For the same reason, ComiXology Unlimited is also only available in the US, despite the website's declaration that they "plan to expand this service to other regions in the future" (which has remained there for years). Meanwhile, Marvel Unlimited is already accessible across the world.
Despite this significant barrier to entry, DC Universe Infinite has otherwise received acclaim from its Stateside users, offering DC followers an unparalleled chance to read up on their favorite heroes and discover new ones. For only $7.99 a month or $74.99 a year, subscribers are granted unlimited access to over 25,000 comic books and graphic novels published by DC and its imprints, including the groundbreaking prestige-format DC Black Label. Even if this content is available in print and one-off payments on other services, global readers are still denied the chance to enter competitions or receive special offers from the DC Shop.
The silence from DC is particularly surprising given their recent commitment to diversity: the first DC FanDome in August 2020 emphasized the brand's global appeal by employing hosts from around the world, and the new Batman: The World anthology recruited international artists and writers to reinvent the Dark Knight for their own culture. Much of the leading creative talent in the American comic book industry originate from Canada, Europe, South America, and Asia. Perhaps, however, the lack of communication on DC Universe Infinite stems from a lack of urgency, thus raising questions about the future of the industry as publishing companies continue to push digital distribution.