Digital Comics

While crowdfunding is definitely more of the headline grabber, iVerse has a couple other announcement that warrant examination with an eye of the future of digital comics. The topic of DRM was a very important one to the development of the digital music industry. It's also a topic that comics have been lagging far behind on.

Well, somebody's upping their game today. iVerse, known for their Comics+ app and partnership with Diamond Digital has just announced "Comics Accelerator" -- a comics-specific crowdfunding platform. "Crowdfunding" is the technical term for sites like Kickstarter and IndieGogo.

Archaia is another company that's throwing its hat in the growing category of "digital release, then print." Certainly, digital comics are an increasingly common thing, but the relationship between digital and print is still evolving. They're taking a direction with a couple titles that I think will end up being fairly common. They're also adapting/remaking a classic manga title.

If you're looking for some great digital comics, Top Shelf is launching a big sale on some of their best titles. Call it their "virtual" comic-con:

Tolja there was more coming from comiXology, as an app for the new-style Windows 8 is also launching.

We can tell you already that comiXology is going to have a BIG show, and here's the first announcement: a new Simpsons-themed app for iOS devices which will roll out tomorrow with a specially chosen selection of Bongo-published Simpsons comics. Interestingly, the comics will NOT be day and date but rather go on sale a month after newsstands.

After a long testing period, and a lot of controversy along the way, Diamond and iVerse are finally going live with Diamond Digital on July 23rd. The program will allow Diamond accounts to set up their own digital storefront, sell download codes and otherwise engage in the digital sales that everyone thought would kill comics but which has, instead, led to growing sales. The program has been in beta for some time now, with some lively feedback from participating retailers. Publishers represented in the program include IDW, Image, Archie, APE, Arcana, Bluewater, BOOM!, Broadsword, Hermes, Sea Lion, Top Shelf, Viper Comics, and Within Temptation—Marvel and DC have yet to opt in.

Jason Latour and Robbi Rodriguez put Wolverine in the corner

Didn't see that one coming. Whether it was the smartly rolled out launch, the srong opening line-up or just a lack of interest in Anderson Cooper's sex life, the announcement of the new MonkeyBrain Comics digital line caught the imagination of Twitter to the point where it was trending for much of the day; and also smartly, to take advantage of the excitement, comiXology and MonkeyBrain decided to launch early—all five of their comics are available now in comiXology.

Didn't see that one coming. Whether it was the smartly rolled out launch, the srong opening line-up or just a lack of interest in Anderson Cooper's sex life, the announcement of the new MonkeyBrain Comics digital line caught the imagination of Twitter to the point where it was trending for much of the day; and also smartly, to take advantage of the excitement, comiXology and MonkeyBrain decided to launch early—all five of their comics are available now in comiXology.

Well, well, well. This is gold rush time for new digital comics imprints/initiatives. Not only did MonkeyBrain roll out its lineup today, but we also have The Whole Story, a new portal for original graphic novels for some of the top indie creators including:

After teases over the last few weeks, details on the new Monkeybrain Comics imprint from Chris Roberson and Allison Baker have been announced. The line launches on July 4th with five titles: Aesop’s Ark by J. Torres and Jennifer L. Meyer Amelia Cole and the Unknown World by Adam P. Knave, DJ Kirkbride and Nick Brokenshire Bandette by Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover Edison Rex by Chris Roberson and Dennis Culver October Girl by Matthew Dow Smith The line will be distributed digitally, exclusively with ComiXology. As Roberson explained in a press conference this afternoon, it's essentially an Image Comics like deal: Monkeybrain will take a small cut for packing and marketing, but all copyright will remain with the creators. According to Roberson, the line is very focused on completely creator owned projects. "Neither writer or artist can be working in a work for hire capacity. We do ask the projects that come to us if it's a collaborative team, that everyone share share some level of ownership in the property."