201111071226.jpg
Although keeping their GN backstock in print isn’t a Marvel priority, the new Nook Tablet was just announced this morning with Marvel as a very active partner. Marvel’s Ryan Penagos live tweeted the unveiling and was around to answer follow ups — including avoiding the question of whether this is an exclusive or not.

First the hardware deets; The 7-inch Nook Tablet will run $250 and offer 16 GBs storage, with an SD expansion slot which supports 32 GB SD cards. Netflix, Hulu Plus and Pandora will be available. Like its predecessor, the Nook Color — which remains available for $199 — the tablet will have browser and email capabilities. Here’s an early review. Specs:

• Screen: 1024 x 600 “laminated, no-air” 7-inch IPS LCD
• Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Processor: 1GHz dual-core TI Omap 4
• Platform: Customized version of Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
• Internal memory: 16GB
• microSD card expansion slot: up to 32GB cards
• Integrated microphone
• Battery life: 11 hours reading, 8-9 hours video (with wireless off)
• Price: $249
• Availability: Pre-order now, ships November 17

While going toe-to-toe with the new Amazon Fire tablet, the Nook Tablet also came with comics attached — in this case, Marvel.

According to Penagos (Agent M) on Twitter, new Marvel GNs will be on sale Thursdays, and will still be available on Marvel’s web app, so they are not quite exclusive to the Nook or B&N — however, they are prominently featured on the Nook, and the Nook Tablet purchase page is touting “the largest colleciton [sic] of Marvel graphic novels” — a vague but impressive sounding phrase. Penagos tweeted:

I’m sure there will be differences [in versions available on different platforms], but those differences aren’t set in stone. Offerings will grow across the board. I’d love to see everything everywhere. For now, we’ll see our comics promoted in a big way via B&N. That’s huge.


Marvel released their own PR on the move, which can be read below. Of course wags may now be wondering if Amazon will remove Marvel GNs from their online store in retaliation — just as B&N removed DC books when it was announced that DC was going exclusive on the Kindle Fire — but it appears the Marvel GNs will not be exclusive to the Nook. Plus…Marvel books tend to go out of print with astounding regularity — hopefully the digital editions will stick around.

Marvel Entertainment announced today that the hotly-anticipated NOOK Tablet from Barnes & Noble (NYSE: BKS) will offer readers access to the greatest graphic novels of all time. Featuring the Avengers, Spider-Man, Wolverine and more of the world’s most popular super heroes, NOOK Tablet launches with a digital library of your favorite Marvel graphic novels—and more of your favorite stories are on the way! NOOK Tablet utilizes the world’s most advanced VividView™ Touchscreen, offering readers a chance to experience the action-packed epics of Marvel graphic novels in Barnes & Noble’s fastest, lightest tablet with the best in HD entertainment.
 
“This is a huge opportunity for Marvel—and the entire comics medium—to reach a wider audience than ever before thanks to Barnes & Noble’s exciting new NOOK Tablet,” said Peter Phillips, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Marvel Digital Media Group. “Barnes & Noble is committed to offering customers a broad array of Marvel graphic novels, both digitally and through their massive in-store selection, which can only help bring fans into our exciting world of Super Heroes and unparalleled storytelling.”
 
Users can purchase digital copies of their favorite Marvel graphic novels through NOOK Bookstore™, with a selection including such hits as Civil War, Invincible Iron Man, Captain America, Thor by JMS, Astonishing X-Men, New Avengers, Marvels and more! These graphic novels will also be available on the highly-acclaimed NOOK Color™.
 
“We’re excited to bring NOOK customers the largest available digital collection of graphic novels from Marvel Entertainment,” said Theresa Horner, Barnes & Noble’s Vice President of Digital Content. “The high resolution of our VividView color touchscreen makes the action virtually jump off the page, and takes graphic novels to a whole new level of entertainment.”
 
Starting next week, the world’s greatest super heroes, their most acclaimed stories and most powerful graphic novels arrive on NOOK Tablet! Experience NOOK Tablet at any Barnes & Noble bookstore or at www.nook.com

1 COMMENT

  1. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/marvel-enterprises-inc?store=ebook&keyword=marvel+enterprises+inc

    $9.99 for most.

    These titles only work on the Nook Color/Nook Tablet. Not on “NOOK for PC”. Perhaps we’ll see some Marvel Essential volumes for all Nooks… And some all ages titles, like the popular Oz books.

    Big question: will Marvel also offer these titles (and others) to libraries via Overdrive, just like they offer their All Ages comics? Libraries love graphic novels, libraries circulate lots of e-books, wouldn’t it be nice if comic book publishers offered e-book graphic novels to libraries? (Pssst… libraries are the other “direct market”… there are no returns.)

  2. Two thoughts…

    1) At 50 bucks more than the Fire, this product seems poorly positioned to compete w/ Amazon’s offering this holiday season.

    2) When somebody makes a 10″ reader for under 300 bucks, that’s when I switch to digital funnybooks. Expecting it soon.

  3. Google “Nook Acclaim”, which was rumored to cost $349.

    When the Nook first launched, Plastic Logic announced the QUE proReader, which would have been 8.5×11, and able to read Office documents and such, on an e-ink screen. It became vaporware.

    For the extra $50, you get a card slot which allows you to boost the device storage up to an additional 32GB. (You can also boot regular Android from that card, leaving the Nook OS untouched.) You also get twice the RAM of the Fire. Also, the battery is easily replaced. Dunno about the Fire.

    I’m reserving judgement until Spring. That’s when we’ll see reviews, hacks, and any “Big Brother” response from Amazon regarding jailbreaking.

  4. “2) When somebody makes a 10″ reader for under 300 bucks, that’s when I switch to digital funnybooks. Expecting it soon.”

    You and me both!!!

    Although under $300 for that size might be stretching it. I’d go up to $350 myself.

    I already requested that my xmas gift this year be cold, hard CA$H so I can buy one when they eventually come out…