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DC’s subscription digital comics service DC Universe Infinite launches on Thursday, January 21st, and DC has revealed many of the details, including a vast library of comics from the DCU, Vertigo, Black Label and Milestone Media libraries.

The service was announced back in September to replace the DC Universe streaming platform, which is shutting down as its shows — including Harley Quinn, Doom Patrol and more — have been moved over to HBO Max.

DCUI_AppIconSelection.jpgDC Universe included a simplified digital comics component, but DCUI will be comics all the way; more than 25,000 comics and graphic novels will be available to start, with new comics available six months after they debut in print. Digital First comics will be available after three months and DCUI subscribers will have early access to them. Five new backlist comics will be released every week and there will be a rotating list of free comics every month. (See the launch slate below.) The platform will also include its own exclusive digital comics.

The price? $7.99 a month or $74.99 for a year ($6.25 a month), via iOS and Android devices. 

“This is just the beginning of DC UNIVERSE INFINITE’s transformation,” explained Pam Lifford, President of Global Brands and Experiences at Warner Bros in a statement. “Our fans will have access to a rich collection of their favorite comic books and publishing while connecting with a community that loves the same DC characters and brands.”

Because of The Beat’s own extreme technical limitations, we haven’t been able to preview the service, but it’s certainly a smart idea to make DC’s vast library of new and classic comics available for the price of one Frappuccino, or Walmart four-pack of print comics. And based on screenshots, it looks like a nice, clean interface.

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And it has many customizable features, including an enhanced comic reader, the ability to curate your own comics lists, and customized home screen icons.

The app will also tie in to the DC COMMUNITY hub at community.dcuniverseinfinite.com, which is free. This site is up and running with a message board, information on fan clubs, trivia challenges, Q&As with creators, tech updates, watch-along events and a lot more to keep DC fans engaged in a positive, friendly atmosphere. A full calendar of events will be announced later, we’re told. A portal at dccomics.com also connects with the app.

Folks who already subscribed to DC Universe will be able to use that login for DC UNIVERSE INFINITE. Early birds who jumped on a pre-release offer will get a thank-you voucher, redeemable at the DC Shop, on or after February 1, 2021. Annual subscribers will receive a $25 voucher, while monthly subscribers will receive a $10 voucher. All subject to terms and conditions, of course.

Free comics at launch include:

  • All-Star Superman #1
  • The New Teen Titans (1980) #1
  • Suicide Squad (2016-) #1
  • Green Lantern (2011-2016) #29
  • Aquaman (2011-) #1
  • Shazam (2011-) #1
  • Green Arrow: Year One #1
  • Black Lightning: Year One #1
  • Justice League (2011-) #1
  • Wonder Woman (2016-) #1
  • The Flash (2016-) #1
  • Batman (2011-) #1

Whew! Here’s some of what you will find on the service:

 

Long-standing DC UNIVERSE member requests

  • BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM (OGN) written by Grant Morrison and art by Dave McKean 
  • BATMAN: EARTH ONE V1 (OGN) written by Geoff Johns and art by Gary Frank
  • GREEN LANTERN: EARTH ONE (OGN) written by Corinna Bechko and Gabriel Hardman
  • JOKER (OGN) written by Brian Azzarello with art by Lee Bermejo
  • JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE WORLD’S GREATEST SUPERHEROES (OGN) written Paul Dini with art by Alex Ross
  • LUTHOR (OGN) written by Brian Azzarello with art by Lee Bermejo
  • MISTER MIRACLE written by Tom King with art by Mitch Gerads
  • SUPERGIRL: BEING SUPER witten by Mariko Tamaki with art by Joëlle Jones
  • SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE V1 (OGN) written by J. Michael Straczynski with art by Shane Davis

 

 

 

Full series from DC’s Vertigo catalogue

  • EX MACHINA written by Brian K. Vaughan with art by Tony Harris
  • HELLBLAZER Written by Jamie Delano, Garth Ennis, Paul Jenkins, Mike Carey and more
  • iZOMBIE written by Chris Roberson with art by Michael Allred
  • LUCIFER written by Mike Carey with art by Peter Gross
  • PREACHER written by Garth Ennis with art by Steve Dillion
  • V FOR VENDETTA written by Alan Moore with art by David Lloyd

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Selections from the DC Black Label catalogue

  • BATMAN: DAMNED written by Brian Azzarello with art by Lee Bermejo
  • HARLEEN written and illustrated by Stjepan Šejić
  • SUPERMAN: YEAR ONE written by Frank Miller with art by John Romita Jr.
  • THE LAST GOD written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson with art by Riccardo Federici
  • THE QUESTION: DEATHS OF VIC SAGE written by Jeff Lemire with art by Denys Cowan
  • Joe Hill Presents Hill House Comics titles:  
    • BASKETFUL OF HEADS written by Joe Hill with art by Leomacs
    • PLUNGE written by Joe Hill with art by Stuart Immonen
    • THE LOW, LOW WOODS written by Carmen Maria Machado with art by Dani
    • DAPHNE BYRNE written by Laura Marks with art by Kelley Jones
    • THE DOLLHOUSE FAMILY written by Mike Carey with art by Peter Gross

 

Titles from DC’s archives, with a big focus on Milestone Media titles after launch like:

  • STATIC written by Dwayne McDuffie with art by John Paul Leon
  • HARDWARE written by Dwayne McDuffie with art by Denys Cowan
  • STATIC SHOCK! REBIRTH OF THE COOL written by Dwayne McDuffie with art by John Paul Leon
  • ICON: A HERO’S WELCOME written by Dwayne McDuffie with art by M.D. Bright
  • ICON: VOL. 2: THE MOTHERSHIP CONNECTION written by Dwayne McDuffie and M.D. Bright with art by Chris Cross, M.D. Bright, John Paul Leon, and Jeff Moore

Expect to see batches of archived titles from the DC vault!


If you’re a DC comics fan, or someone who just wants access to a ton of digital comics to get away from the problem of storing print, DC Universe Infinite seems like a good deal. Of course, once the fans get it on Thursday, we’ll hear what works and what doesn’t…so stay tuned!