500 Marvel digital comics to blow your mind
May 1, 2008 Author: WITA | Filed under: Comics
Mm, digital comics. They’re just a few of my favorite things.
Marvel created something truly amazing when they decided to put digital versions of hundreds of comics on their website, for free or via paid subscription for even more issues through something called Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited. Sure, new titles get uploaded weekly to their Free Comics section, but their Unlimited collection is ever-expanding. And now, 500 more comics—older and recent ones alike—have been added to the wealth of thousands.
There’s a publishing calendar available on the site that allows you to check which comics are coming soon and when they will be “released” for online viewing.
So what kinds of comics are included in the fresh, whopping 500 count? Black Panther, Cable & Deadpool, Captain America, Daredevil, Fantastic Four, X-men, and tons more—plus Incredible Hulk and Iron Man, just in time for the summer movies. See the complete list here.
While you’re at it, catch up on your Tony Stark with Iron Man: “Extremis” #1.
Frankly, I think digital comics are a great thing, and the fact that many are available for free makes it even better. It’s disappointing, though, that DC hasn’t caught up with Marvel on this one (I definitely want some free Batman comics).
You can sign up now for $4.99/month for a year under one payment or for a price of $9.99 each month. Even if you’re not willing to fork over the cash (which I get, especially if you’re low on it), the free comics are plenty. Go ahead, take advantage.
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6 Responses for "500 Marvel digital comics to blow your mind"
Wow… thats pretty cool!!! For a minute I thought you were gonna say “electronic” comics… kinda like Tom Hanks tried to invent in “Big”… sort of an electronic “choose your own adventure” thing… actually that would be cool too. Do they have those? I know they have electronic books now….
Hahahaha, sorry, *random*… Imma sign myself up like… right now!!
Lol, I’m not sure about that, but it would definitely be cool if they did.
Sigh, yeah, sixty bucks. It’s a little pricey for me, being a poor college student.
I’ll have to stick to the free comics for now—but I’ve found some good ones on there so far, so it’s okay. 
You know, I love that they are online and all. But I will never catch any of them. I am too much of a purist in that I have to have the actual thing in my hand. It is why I am a collector, not just a reader. I am not saying that for anyone not to read the online ones. Go ahead, I think it is an awesome thing. But I also feel that the new online trend will also hurt the actual comic business in the future. I hope I am wrong, but that is how I see things going.
Hm, I never thought of it that way. Of course, sixty bucks (or more if you get the other plan) does indeed count for a lot, Ricky, you have to admit that. And the free comics … I don’t know if it would actually hurt them that much, but I guess you never know.
Putting some of their comics online for free might actually help attract more readers, though. You know, read a comic like, say, New Avengers to see if you like it, and if you do then you might be encouraged to get your hands on some more (including the real thing). You have to also take into consideration that this is an electronic (heh) era, and digital comics are a very nice and convenient option. Plus, Marvel is choosing to put these comics on their website—it’s not like it’s bootleg versions, so I’d like to think they know what they’re doing and that they’ve figured out whether or not this would actually hurt the comic business.
So I can’t say I agree with you there, but I could be wrong, who knows. On the other hand, if you’re talking about the good ol’ fashioned love of comics and collecting them, then I can see your point. I still prefer comics in print. It’s just more authentic and wholesome—the same way I prefer books in print to electronic downloads of books. Still, the money is where it should be in a lot of cases now, so not to worry. At least they’re being read and enjoyed, and isn’t that what matters? But kudos to you for being a collector—that’s a lot more impressive to me and I regard that in higher esteem.
I have to say, though, that I think digital comics (whether on the Marvel website or by PDFs) are great for sharing the love and getting people interested—all in all, keeping comics alive.
Hmm … it would actually be interesting to get an inside view from Marvel on this …
Like I said, I hope I am wrong. My only concern is that if it will hurt the industry where it doesn’t need to be hurt. And that is the local comic shop.
I can see where having someone read the online one and then going to the shop to buy it and continue. That would be great for the local comic book store owner. But I fear is that many of the people who will see these are the casual comic reader and decide that instead of spending $2.99 a book, which can add up quickly if you are like some who buy five to ten books at a time, to only paying $4.99 or $9.99 or not even pay and just read the free ones.
If it does appeal more to the average reader to just do that and not spend there money at the local shop, that is where the potential for hurting the industry comes into play.
I have seen four comic book stores close down near me, including one that I had been going to for the last 13 years, because people aren’t reading comics like they did before. So if a dwindling readership is all ready hurting stores as it is now, I hope that what I fear doesn’t come true. Because who knows how many more shops that will affect.
Downloaded comics is what got me into comics- well that and multiple GL fangirls at work and games.
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