It’s Thursday… the weekend is almost here!
Around the Blogs:
The Beat – Judge to Archie co-publisher: “Stay away!” – Kind of ironic such legal drama is playing out at the Pollyanna company.
Venture Beat – How Graphicly is paving the way for self-published digital comic books – Interesting….
Around the Tubes Reviews:
MTV Geek – Game of Thrones, Green Hornet, Dark Shadows, and More Dynamite Reviews [Spoilers]
Paste Magazine – Comic Book & Graphic Novel Round-Up (1/25/12)
Following Graphic.ly‘s announcement of hopping on the Newsstand wave with the release of iOS5 for Apple products we released an article calling into question the new digital news stand. The function available for Apple products brings subscription services to users. The general process has the user purchasing the app, which gives you the latest issue, then each month the user is charged, regardless if a new issue is released.
Questions were raised by me as to what happens if a publisher were to skip a month, but also how this is possibly a bum deal for publishers if they were to double ship in a month. It’s now apparent, publishers can really get screwed by unscrupulous users whether or not they double ship. There’s a flaw in the process that allows you to get two issues (or more) for the price of one. Here’s how:
Really I should of thought of this before, but while working through how Marvel double shipping comics in 2012 would function in this sort of environment. The answer is, if Marvel had Newsstand subscriptions you’d get not two issues for the price of one, but three. For those saying I’m wrong in this, it’s been done already and verified.
Have fun folks and don’t say we never gave you anything….
Official Press Release
Indie Manga on Graphicly.com
GEN Manga is now available on the multifaceted Graphicly
GEN will be available on Graphicly nationwide Nov, 2011
NEW YORK, NY – GEN Manga Entertainment, Inc. announces the release of GEN 1 on Graphicly starting Nov., 2011, for Free!
Graphicly is the premiere site for reading and finding the best digital comics. With apps for Facebook, Apple, Android, and also available on Barnes & Noble’s Nook, they have effectively covered the digital market.
GEN will now be added to Graphicly’s ranks. Along side of major powerhouses Marvel, Image, and dozens of independent publishers, GEN Manga takes its seat. Utilizing Graphicly’s masterful way of formatting the digital experience, GEN can now be read in a panel by panel guided experience!
This month, GEN will also release more than 900 pages of content for only 2.99! This is an unprecedented value. Readers can get the first anthology ranking in at this size for true original underground Japanese manga at genmanga.com! But as an added bonus, readers who purchase the massive volume will get a bonus download of extras that include exclusive peeks at the elusive creators, never seen before bonus full color illustrations, as well as production and sketch work of the artists. GEN will give its American readership a peek deeper into real Japanese indie creators.
VS Aliens, is also available this month from GEN, for only .99 a download for the complete series! All those readers out there that want to find out what happens in the cute “moe” characters of VS Aliens can download the complete series in one easy to manage file. Do you want to believe?
GEN stories are published nowhere else in the world. These stories are created by the elusive doujin creators in Tokyo’s secret underground circles, otherwise known in the west as independent creators and hard core fans.
Presenting new indie manga circles from Japan, GEN, a monthly publication, will be released in the US and Japan simultaneously. Digital format and print editions for GEN are available now. Based in New York, GEN Manga Entertainment (www.genmanga.com) endeavors to publish new and unseen graphic work from Japan, being in the unique position to bring readers work first, more original and untamed manga will be sure to come!
Official Press Release
Graphicly Announces Acquisition of Double Feature Application
Four Star Studios Titles Coming to Graphicly
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – November 2, 2011 – Graphicly is excited to announce that it has acquired Double Feature, a top independent comic reader mobile application from Four Star Studios. The well respected application and its developer will become part of Graphicly. The application will allow Graphicly to bring the innovative interface and functionality of Double Feature to their mobile applications, enable a more diverse catalog of content. Lead Developer Josh Emmons will join the Graphicly team.
Double Feature was the first mobile application to truly give independent creators the ability to showcase their work by bundling their comics with pencils, inks and scripts in an innovative platform. Four Star Studios titles will be available on the Graphicly platform, including iOS devices like the Apple iPad, Android devices including the Nook Color and Kindle Fire, and the web including Facebook.com and will continue to be available through the Double Feature application, currently available for iPad.
“When we evaluated mobile readers on that market, we just kept coming back to Double Feature asthe application we would most like to emulate. It was from that fandom, that our conversations with Four Star Studios began,” said Micah Baldwin, CEO of Graphicly. “The more we talked the more it was clear that our shared vision for publishers and creators almost required that we work more closely together. Adding Joshua Emmons to our already deep team is just amazing icing on an awesome cake.”
“We’re all really excited about this deal! Obviously, we’ll get to improve Double Feature taking advantage of Graphicly’s resources,” said Tim Seeley, co-founder of Four Star Studios and creator of Hack/Slash, “But also, we know Graphicly truly gets what we’re doing with digital comics. Some of our influence will flow back in the other direction, too, and that’s good for everyone.”
“When it came time for Four Star to publish digitally, we were lucky we could build our own app. A lot indies out there can’t.” said Joshua Emmons, developer of Double Feature and new Graphicly employee, “Even from my very first talks with Graphicly, it’s been clear they’re committed to enabling these creators. I can’t wait to employ everything I’ve learned from DoubleFeature in the furtherance of that goal!”
Four Star Studios content available now through Graphicly includes:
• Action Double Feature #1 featuring “The Answer” by Dennis Hopeless and Mike Norton and “Jack Kraken” by Tim Seeley Ross Campbell
• Science Fiction Double Feature #2 featuring “Brigantine” by Joshua Emmons and Mike Norton and “Piper 2.0″ by Tom Stillwell and Jethro Morales
Additional titles are coming soon, and will be available through all Graphicly channels, as well as the current Double Feature application.
About Graphicly
Graphicly is a cutting-edge entertainment digital content delivery system and community platform, providing an immersive solution to tell, share and collaborate around story. With more than 300 publishers and 4,000 creators from major publishers such as Marvel Comics, Image Comics, BOOM! Studios, Top Cow and IDW Publishing to indie creators from around the globe, Graphicly is the leading story-telling and sharing platform online. The Graphicly Network includes dozens of leading websites and blogs, mobile applications including the iPhone, iPad and Android devices including the Barnes and Noble NOOKcolor and the Amazon Kindle Fire; and an industry leading HTML5 web app. For more information, please visit www.graphicly.com
About Four Star Studios
Four Star Studios (fourstarstudios.com) wants to tell you great stories! They are a small creative collective of artists, writers, designers, and developers all dedicated to the Chicago ethic of “Deeds not Words”. Exemplifying this motto, in 2011 Four Star developed and released Double Feature (doublefeaturecomics.com), a digital comic book anthology and reader that has set the bar for what digital comics can be. Four Star continues to curate this collection and develop its many in-house properties: Hack/Slash, Battlepug, City of Sand, The Answer, Jack Kraken, Kid Cthulhu, RadBots, and Brigantine. For more information, please visit fourstarstudios.com or contact support@fourstarstudios.com.
A few hours ago I posted statistics of the self-identified comic book fans on Facebook. During this same time period, I also looked at who the fans of digital comics are. Are they different from the regular comic book fans? The answer is yes, yes they are. Using the same method, but different search terms I pulled the exact same data for comparison. The universe is much smaller to search from, but there’s enough that only at the extreme edges are there issues with the reporting.
Facebook Digital Comic Book Fan Population: Over 7,540 in the United States
You can see the number is much smaller than the 2.6 million population for the general comic book fans. The terms are much more narrow, searching for brands instead of generic terms. Keep in mind, these are the fans of Graphic.ly, comiXology, iVerse, etc., not web comics. That’s a whole other population in my opinion. The goal here is to try to figure out who buys digital comics.
Below you’ll see the breakdown of the population as well as a comparison to the general comic book fan population. You’ll see there’s some significant differences, much more than the smaller Spanish speaking population (only 1.59%, compared to the general’s 2.14%).
Gender and Education
Interestingly enough, digital fans skew much more male and are more educated than their mass fan brethren. The average population is 29.12% college grads while digital fans are 54.38% college grads. Men dominate as well, making up a little over 81% of the population.
Age
Age is the second area you absolutely see a difference. The general population is primarily under the age of 40 and mostly under the age of 30, digital comic book fans are between 26 and 41 and peak in the 34-37 age. This is over a decade difference compared to the general population. The size of the populations are much evenly distributed between ages 22 and 45.
Notice the digital peak.
Now compare the two data sets:
Relationship Status
With an”older population” you’d expect there’d be a greater chance they’d be married and that’s reflected in the data. 41.33% is married compared to 21.19% of the general comic book fans. In digital, the married population has primarily grown out of the”single” status and partially out of the”in relationship” status.
Gender Interest
You can see the digital has a pretty decent shift from the general comic book fan base. They’re interested in the opposite gender in greater percentages.
Official Press Release
Viper Comics Takes A Bite Out Of Digital!
October 26, 2011 (Dallas, Texas) – This is the year for something old and something new at Viper Comics. Earlier this year, the Texas-based publisher enjoyed an uber-successful relaunch of classic comics Inspector Gadget and Johnny Test at this year’s Comic Con. But Viper will round out 2011 at the other end of the distribution spectrum: digital.
“Digital isn’t coming,” says Viper President, Jessie Garza. “It’s here. Not only has the economy hit the comic business but even our most hardcore fans want to read their comics with the same tools they use to work, create and communicate. Digital has so many possibilities. We just can’t wait to get started.”
Viper is leaping into the digital revolution in two ways. First, they will make their library of existing books-from oldies like Gadget to cult favorites like Middleman-available in digital format. This will ensure fans have ready access to their favorites at any time and a whole new fan base can discover Viper books they might have missed.
And second, Viper will begin to create a new line of comics expressly for digital distribution.
Beginning with Five Senses, a gritty crime story about a murder witness bent on solving the crime while trying to keep the mysterious killer from stealing his five senses, Viper’s entire catalog of comic books will be available in digital as well as paper formats.
“Our writers and artists are stellar,” says Editor-in-Chief, Dale Mettam, “and it’s time to give both our established and up-and-coming creators a new medium to really strut their stuff. We think our fans are going to love what we’ve come up with.”
Don’t worry though if you’re a print lover. “Over the years, Viper has built many lasting friendships with small comic stores. We still have books that will go straight to print on our slate of upcoming projects,” Mettam went on. “However, the digital technology allows us to take more risks with projects and open the door for more up-and-coming talent that perhaps wouldn’t get the chance otherwise.”
“We’re a small indie publisher,” added Garza, “so anything that allows us to push the creative limits is something we’re equally committed to explore.”
For Mettam, this new medium hits close to home as he is the author of Viper’s Halloween digital release, Nightmares in Oz, a modern-and pretty gnarly-spin on the Oz tales we all thought we knew.
Shannon Hilson, of MoreHorror.com said of Nightmares in Oz,
“Nightmares in Oz offers a fresh and frightening new twist on an old favorite. Stunning artwork and truly creepy characters help bring Osmann Grove, Kansas to life in a way horror fans and comic book lovers alike won’t want to miss.”
Additionally, Viper will release its reader app making downloading and launching a comic just a click away. Until then, readers will be able to get a hold of books via iVerse, Graphicly, Comixology, Kindle and the Viper website.
About Viper Comics
Viper Comics has been publishing comic books and graphic novels since July 2003. Their debut title, Dead@17, was an instant hit and was noted as a Top 10 Hot Comic in Wizard Magazine. Viper has since released a number of successful books, including Daisy Kutter, a critically acclaimed series that was nominated for a Harvey Award in 2006 and was also named a top pick for young adults by the American Library Association. Viper has published over 100 comic books and 40 graphic novels. Viper has had four graphic novels recommended by the American Library Association: The Middleman (ABC Family TV Show), Daisy Kutter, Emily Edison, and Oddly Normal.
This week saw the latest update to the Apple operating system dubbed iOS 5. The latest software update brought numerous software improvements and new features like the magazine subscription feature called Newsstand. Graphic.ly, one of the numerous digital comic services out there was quickly to hop onto the latest technology.
Graphicly is proud to announce that many of its leading digital comics titles, including The Walking Dead, Invincible and Irredeemable are now available on Newsstand, a key feature of the newly released iOS 5. By working with leading publishers, including Image Comics and BOOM! Studios, Graphicly is making it even easier to subscribe to some of the best comic books on the market.
Utilizing Newsstand in iOS5, Graphicly is able to deliver comics directly to readers without the need for downloading additional applications and searching for titles. Now readers can easily browse for and subscribe to their favorite titles in the Newsstand, and have new issues delivered to their devices immediately. New titles will be released the same day as print and delivered seamlessly to users. This is a bold new way for readers to discover and enjoy stories, making it easier than ever to never miss an issue.
“The leading publishers and creators understand that developing a relationship with their fans is the most important thing,” said Micah Baldwin, CEO of Graphicly. “Newsstand ensures that relationship continues and grows each time a comic is released.”
The titles launched on the Apple Newsstand, powered by Graphicly, and available immediately include such hit comic books as:
• The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard from Image Comics
• Savage Dragon by Erik Larsen, from Image Comics
• Irredeemable by Mark Waid and Peter Krause from BOOM! Studios
• Invincible by Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley from Image Comics
• Morning Glories by Nick Spencer and Joe Eisma from Image Comics
• Near Death by Jay Faerber and Simone Guglielmini from Image ComicsGraphicly has partnered with the top publishers to ensure individual comics are released for purchase on a regular schedule.
It’s that last part that gave me pause. Let me highlight it:
Graphicly has partnered with the top publishers to ensure individual comics are released for purchase on a regular schedule.
That’s a rather odd item to throw into a press release and why is it important? Here’s how the service works.
So here’s where I see this all going bad with the current production habits of comic book publishers and how comic book digital readers may get screwed.
The terms of service for Graphic.ly even muddles the idea of subscriptions further. From their website:
Certain Products may be available for download on a subscription basis. A subscription includes all currently available (if any) and future issues of a Product (“Subscription”). Not all Products may be available by Subscription. We will charge you the full price of a Subscription when you subscribe. Such Subscription is non-refundable; except that, if a publisher delivers fewer issues for a Subscription than specified through the Service at the time of your payment transaction), we will credit to your Account an amount equal to the pro-rated price of the Subscription.
So, do I get the back issues with the App purchase? Seems like a bad deal for publishers. And what’s with the mention of $8.99 and $9.99 bundles in the description of the App? Though the terms for BOOM!’s entry for Irredeemable is different, with no mention of back issue bundles. Looking around a the various Apps available, some mention the amount and others don’t.
While I applaud the overall move and quick implementation of the new technology, there’s still a lot of questions to be answered. We’ll be following up with Graphic.ly at New York Comic Con this weekend to hopefully get answers.
The comic book world lost Minck Oosterveer earlier this week and to honor his talent BOOM! Studios has decided to “celebrate his life is by exposing as many people as possible to his creative work.”
In memory of Oosterveer, BOOM! Studios is offering all issues of Mark Waid and Oosterveer’s The Unknown and The Unknown: Devil Made Flesh for free through all of their digital partners — comiXology, iVerse, Graphicly, and mydigitalcomics.
BOOM!’s editor-in-chief Matt Gagnon also has a blog post up about the artists who was taken too soon.
Official Press Release
Five Senses: Chad Bowman was on the verge of having it all. But when he fails to come forward as a witness to a brutal murder, his life changes overnight. Soon, Chad discovers someone or something is after him. Now, Chad must stay alive long enough to prove he isn’t the real killer and stop the mysterious entity from stripping him of his FIVE SENSES.
Coming 9/23/11 through iVerse, Graphic.ly, and Comixology
The weekend is so near and that just means last minute planning for those of us heading to San Diego Comic-Con 2011. Have to say I’m very excited and hopefully we do you all proud as far as news. Well, while you contemplate what you hope to see and hear, here’s the news you might have missed.
Around the Blogs:
Business Wirew – G4TV.com Teams with Graphicly to Give Fans Free Digital Comics – Be interesting to see how this goes.
Con Coverage:
Bleeding Cool – San Diego Debut: Octobriana
Bleeding Cool – San Diego Debut: Neil Gaiman In Hero Comics 2011
Kotaku – The Big Games and the Can’t Miss Events of Comic-Con 2011
CBR – Hero Initiative Announces Auctions for Comic-Con International in San Diego
Bleeding Cool – Trade In Your Copies Of Twilight For 30 Days Of Night At San Diego Comic Con
Bleeding Cool – San Diego Debut: Epoch #1 by Kevin McCarthy & Paolo Pantalena
Bleeding Cool – Marvel To Announce The Defenders At San Diego Comic Con
Bleeding Cool – San Diego Debut: Ties: A Chronicle Of Letters by Emily McGuiness
Culture Mob – Comic Con 2011 – 6 Days And Counting
MTV Geek – SDCC 2011: Animation Round-Up
Comics Alliance – The San Diego Comic-Con Exclusives Worth Standing In Line For
Bleeding Cool – San Diego Debut: Echoes HC by Joshua Hale Fialkov and Rahsan Ekedal
The Mary Sue – Steven Spielberg to Descend on Comic Con to Promote Tintin
MTV Geek – Manga at San Diego Comic-Con
MTV Geek – See ‘Gantz’ and ‘Gantz II: Perfect Answer’ At SDCC
MTV Geek – Places You Don’t Want To Be At SDCC
Bleeding Cool – San Diego Debut: Stripperella #1 Actually Written By Stan Lee
Around the Tubes Reviews:
IGN – The Amazing Spider-Man #665
IGN – American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #2
IGN – Batgirl #23
IGN – Batman: The Dark Knight #3
IGN – Detective Comics #879
Mouth London – The Dylan Dog Case Files
IGN – Fear Itself: Spider-Man #3
IGN – FF #6
IGN – Flashpoint: Citizen Cold #2
IGN – Flashpoint: Deathstroke – The Curse of the Ravager #2
IGN – Flashpoint: Emperor Aquaman #2
IGN – Flashpoint: Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown #2
IGN – Ghost Rider #1
IGN – Gladstone’s School for World Conquerors #3
CBR – Green Lantern #67
IGN – Green Lantern #67
IGN – Green Lantern Corps #61
IGN – The Incredible Hulks #632
IGN – Journey Into Mystery #625
IGN – Loose Ends #1
IGN – Mystery Men #3
IGN – The New Avengers #14
IGN – The Red Wing #1
IGN – Star Wars: The Old Republic – The Lost Suns #2
IGN – Superman #713
IGN – Ultimate Comics: Avengers vs. New Ultimates #6
IGN – Ultimate Comics: Fallout #1
CBR – Ultimate Comics: Fallout #1
ICv2 – Uncouth Sleuth
IGN – Wolverine #12
