One of the most amazing benefits of creating a digital archive is the potential to offer older catalogues. When a comic book company such as Marvel offers digital comic books online, they also have the ability to offer older material that was sold in the past. With the different advancement in technology, readers also have the ability to access their digital material on multiple devices. Outside of Dark Horse virtually every single comic book publisher has signed on to the comiXology platform for distribution. Since then, the comiXology application was able to become the third highest grossing app on the iTunes store in 2013.
Digital comic book industry is allowing ambitious independent creators to create new business models. Companies such as Monkeybrain Comics had a great level of success publishing their comics as a digital only imprint. Monkeybrain was eventually able to secure a deal with the traditional publishers for the printed versions as well. Digital comics are also more flexible when it comes to creation. Printed comics always needed to be 20 pages. Now that the comics can be developed digitally, the developers can use as many pages that they feel necessary to build a storyline. I think this is great for the comic book industry, and I am looking forward to seeing what new trends develop. Many publishers have stated that the digital comic’s are basically untapped market. Industry observer Rob Salkowitz stated “We are in the midst of the “dawn of a golden age” for digital comics.” I am feeling inspired.
References:
Digital Comics: Adding Readers and Flexibility (PublishersWeekly.com) http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/58631-digital-comics-adding-readers-and-flexibilty.html
