the impact of mobile technology and electronic formats on the comics world

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Impact of Mobil e Technology and Electron ic Formats on the Comics World Janelle Barnette LIBR 271A

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Impact of Mobile Technology and

Electronic Formats on the Comics World

Janelle Barnette

LIBR 271A

Introduction

Mobile technology and electronic formats have had a huge impact on comics and graphic novels.

These technologies have created a market for digital comics.

Digital Comics

Digital comics are comics that are released digitally and can be read on computers and mobile devices. Digital comics can be obtained directly from publishers, such as Marvel and Dark Horse, through online stores such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble, via mobile applications, or through online subscription services. 

Digital Comics History

Digital comics are not new. In 1996, Marvel took their first step into digital comics with CyberComics, which were Shockwave animated comics. In 2000, CyberComics became DotComics, until it ceased production in 2004.

In 2007, Marvel once again delved into the digital realm with the Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited Service. This service is an online subscription archive of Marvel comics.

Marvel and other publishers have also released collections of comics on CDROM.

Digital Comics Milestones

1985- Witches & Stitches is published on CompuServe

1991- Where the Buffalo Roam is published on FTP and USENET

1996- Marvel CyberComics debut

2007- Marvel Unveils Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited

2008- IDW starts marketing to mobile devices, becoming the first publisher to do so

April 2010- the Apple iPad is released and according to many, changes the digital comics industry

2012- Marvel ReEvolution, augmented reality digital comics

A New EraNow with mobile technology, digital comics have finally come into their own. iPads, iPhones, Android devices, and tablets have made creating and consuming digital content, including comics, easier than ever before. In 2010, digital comic purchases increased by 1,000%, while graphic novel purchases decreased by 20%. 

In March 2012, ComiXology, the leading digital comics provider surpassed the 50 million download mark since its inception in July 2009. ICv2 estimates that in 2011, the digital comics market totaled $25 million, more than triple the 2010 numbers. 

Marvel ReEvolution

Marvel ReEvolution

Marvel’s new augmented reality app will allow readers to scan print comics (using barcode readers) to unlock digital features. The app will be available for Android and iOS

Peter Phillips, senior VP of Marvel Digital media explains: “Marvel AR is a perfect example of how digital innovation not only gives added value to print comics, but also brings a delivers an entirely new reading experience. Now fans will have access to more behind-the-scenes material from their favorite Marvel products than ever before—and it’s all absolutely free.”

Why Are People Reading Digital Comics?

According to a study conducted by Mia Wiesner of the University of Applied Sciences in Liepzig, some of the reasons respondents gave for purchasing and reading digital comics were:

• availability/ unavailability of print version (46.3%)

• portability of digital comics (43.9%)

• digital comics don't require shelf space (41.5%)

• affordability (39%)

Other factors that have influenced the popularity of digital comics are:

• ease of obtaining back issues or out of print issues

• digital copies are less prone to damage/loss

Digital Comics Technology

Digital comics come in a variety of formats. The most popular formats are .CBR, .CBZ, ePub, and PDF.

.CBR and .CBZ are comic book archives, which are made up of a series of image files (usually .PNG or .JPG). These files are archived into a single file.

Epub is an e-book format.

Aside from PDF formats (which can be read on most computers), digital comics require special reader software.

Mobile AppsA Selection of Mobile Apps that can read comics archive files:

Comics by comiXology (iOS, Android, Web)

Comics4Kids by comiXology (iOS, Android, Web)

Comics+ by iVerse Media (iOS)

Comics+ Kids by iVerse Media (iOS)

Graphicly (iOS, Android, Web, Windows 7)

Cryptozoic Comics (iOS)

Panelfly (iOS, Android, Web)

Publishers such as Marvel, DC, IDW, and Dark Horse also have mobile apps available

ComiXology

ComiXology is the largest digital comics provider, with over 16,000 titles from most of the major publishers for sale.

ComiXology is the creator of the comics app for mobile devices. The app uses ComiXology’s Guided View Technology that mimics the natural eye movements one would experience when reading a print comic.

In 2011, the Comics by ComiXology app became the highest grossing iOS app ever.

The ComiXology web storefront

ComiXology store on iPad (via the Comics

app)

Devices that Support Digital Comics

iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch

Android phones and tablets

Barnes & Noble Nook, Nook Color, Nook Tablet

Amazon Kindle, Kindle Fire

Kobo Vox

Sony PSP

Blackberry

Click here for a video of the Kindle Fire ComiXology app in action (comics portion of the video begins at 1:06)

Click here for a video of the Nook Tablet’s comics reader in action

Issues

The following section highlights some of the pertinent issues surrounding digital comics and includes quotations from those in the comics industry expressing their views on the issues.

Pricing

Most digital comics are priced the same as print versions, which has caused much debate and many to question whether 20 pages of digital content are worth a $3.99 price tag.

DC, unlike most other publishers, drops the digital price by one dollar a month after release. Publishers justify their pricing by stating that keeping digital the same price as print helps to ensure that independent comic book shops are not undercut.

In Mia Weisner's study, 35.8% of respondents stated they would pay up to 20% of the print cover price for digital comics, while only 2.4% would pay up to 100% of the print cover price. 

In June 2012, Marvel will start including digital download codes with all $3.99 superhero comics, allowing those that purchase print versions to also obtain a digital copy for free.

Competition and Exclusive Deals

Some comics publishers have created exclusive digital deals.

In October 2011, Amazon announced that they had reached a deal with DC to exclusively sell 100 titles through the Kindle Fire tablet. In response, Barnes & Noble pulled 100 DC graphic novels off their shelves.

Earlier this year, Barnes & Noble announced an exclusive deal with VIZ media to sell the company's digital manga titles on their Nook devices.

Exclusive deals may be good for the publishers and the distributors, but it also limits the audience to those who own a specific device.

Impact on Print Comics

"There's a whole generation of people, especially digital natives, who've grown up around technology, that prefer reading comics on iPads and other tablet devices. It's simple: print can't survive in an economy where people don't prefer it.” – David Lisa, Consultant for the NJ State Library and graphic novel specialist.

“[Comic shops] were scared of selling comics on paper—at least in the form of trade-paperback collections, and now they’re a huge part of our business. Digital on the surface does not scare us. It is something we have to adjust for and prepare for.” – Chris Powell, Lone Star Comics

While digital comic sales continue to increase, print graphic novel sales are decreasing. Some see digital comics as a very real threat to print comics. Others envision a world where print and digital can happily coexist.

Impact on Brick & Mortar Stores

"We see digital as a separate product and market than print, but obviously there is a fear out there that delivering comics before brick & mortar retailers gives us an unfair advantage. As people feel more comfortable that there won’t be disruption in the print marketplace, I’m sure we’ll see the time frame evolve. But I don’t think you will ever see us releasing 12 hours before West Coast stores open."  - ComiXology CEO David Steinberger  

The popularity of digital comics has caused some debate on whether digital comics and online digital retailers are a threat to traditional comic book shops.

Ownership

David Brothers states that "casual readers don't care about ownership because they don't know that it's an issue. As soon as ComiXology or Graphic.ly goes away, goes down for an extended period of time, or locks people out of books they have purchased, ownership is definitely going to be an issue".

Generally, digital comics operate in much the same way as most e-books do in regards to ownership. Users do not "own" the books as they would a print copy. Instead, they license the content. This usually means that digital comics cannot be shared, copied, or altered in any way. Many in the digital comics community are calling for the industry to become more open and fair to users in terms of ownership and to make users more aware of what, exactly, they are purchasing when they buy a digital comic book.

Piracy

“Anybody that thinks piracy doesn’t have an impact is drinking the Kool-Aid. But there’s a pretty significant group of people that were reading illegal content that if they have a legal, safe, easy way to buy they do so. Once you’re into the system and can sync across platforms, it’s not worth the hassle to get illegal copies.” – Flip Sablik, Top Cow Comics

“If illegal downloads are happening, it means there’s an audience for your stuff. Lots of people would kill to have thousands of people downloading their stuff for free.” – Scott Kurtz, Creator of Player vs Player webcomic

Piracy was an issue before digital comics came into prominence, but the digital era has certainly created an increase in illegal sharing of comics.

Conclusion

As digital and mobile technology continues to evolve and grow, so too will the implications these technologies have for the comics industry. What does the future hold for digital comics? Only time will tell.

Discussion Questions

1. What is your experience with digital or mobile comics? Have you ever used a mobile comics app? If not, would you? Why or why not?

2. Do you view digital comics as a benefit or detriment to the comics industry? Why? Do you foresee digital replacing print in the future?

3. How can libraries take advantage of digital comics? Do you think subscription services are worthwhile for libraries to purchase?

4. Do you agree with Flip Sablik’s view of digital comics piracy when he states “Anybody that thinks piracy doesn’t have an impact is drinking the Kool-Aid. But there’s a pretty significant group of people that were reading illegal content that if they have a legal, safe, easy way to buy they do so. Once you’re into the system and can sync across platforms, it’s not worth the hassle to get illegal copies.” Do you think it’s true that giving people easier ways to read comics that can sync across platforms will give people less of a motivation to download illegal copies?

5. How do you feel about the fact that digital comics purchased through ComiXology, for example, are licensed and not outright owned? Do you think the current licensing model needs to be reworked? What issues can you envision the current model might create?

ReferencesBrothers, D. (2010). Digital December: Do you really own your digital comics?. Comics Alliance. Retrieved from http://www.comicsalliance.com/2010/12/23/digital-december-ownership/

ICv2. (2012). ComiXology tops 50 million comics. ICv2.com. Retrieved from http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/22319.html

Lee, N. (2011). Digital comics come to life on tables. CNET. Retrieved from http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-31747_7-20049401-243.html

Marvel Comics. (2012). The Marvel ReEvolution is here. Marvel.com. Retrieved from http://marvel.com/news/story/18265/the_marvel_reevolution_is_here

Moore, B. (2011). Interview: ComiXology CEO David Steinberg on digital comics, pricing & the new 52. Screenrant.com. Retrieved from http://screenrant.com/comixology-ceo-david-steinberger-interview-benm-138650/

Reid, C. (2011). B&N pulls 100 DC graphic novels from shelved over Kindle Fire deal. PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/retailing/article/49008-b-n-pulls-100-dc-graphic-novels-from-shelves-over-kindle-fire-deal.html

Snell, J. (2011). Comic-Con embraces the iPad era. Macworld.com. Retrieved from http://www.macworld.com/article/1161382/comic_con_embraces_ipad_digital_comics.html

Staino. R. (2011). New York Comic Con: Librarians focus on better digital access, gaming. SchoolLibraryJournal.com. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/home/892425-312/new_york_comic_con_librarians.html.csp

Tyrell, G. (2011). Following up. Fleen.com. Retrieved from http://www.fleen.com/archives/2011/10/11/following-up-3/