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Going Digital with Marvel
By: Kurt AmackerDate: Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Happy Wednesday, Maniacs, and welcome to another fantastic foray into the heart of sequential art with this week’s Comicscape! I, your loyal columnist, will lead this journey into the dark digital future as we examine Marvel’s newest online initiative, Digital Comics Unlimited (DCU). Marvel launched their new online library a couple of weeks ago with much fanfare. But, between the two-part Alan Moore interview and the conclusion of World War Hulk (thanks, Ben), my initial review of DCU had to wait. In a way, it serves the column better, as you can actually log into DCU and use the system. In the first couple of days, the site took a pounding as fans and media jumped on like a WWE free-for-all.
For anyone unaware, DCU allows readers to access a portion of Marvel’s back issue library via a Flash-based reader that launches directly from the publisher’s site. There’s no proprietary software to download. The service costs either $9.99 for a month or $59.99 for an entire year. Once you’ve subscribed, you can read as many comics as you want for the duration of your contract.
The site organizes comics by character, creator, and series title, while offering lists of most recently added issues and popular titles. There’s also a customizable “Must Read” list to which you can add issues for future access. Using one of those search functions, you may first notice that the comics online remain several months behind those in the shops. And, while it features some complete miniseries, the site doesn’t offer collected editions. I’m quite confident that Marvel wants to avoid alienating brick-and-mortar comic shops by putting titles online the same day as they land in shops. I can only imagine the fallout there, as some readers will disregard any preferences for a particular format in favor of cost and convenience. Obviously, $5 or $10 a month stands as a better deal than the cost of a single week of printed Marvel titles, at least for me. However, besides lagging behind its print counterparts, the online library still falls woefully short of Marvel’s entire backlog of titles. But, I wouldn’t expect the publisher to have over 50 years of comics immediately available. More frustrating, though, is the scattershot selection of issues and the breaks in series. Many series feature a only a few issues from the middle of the run or, worse, lack an issue or two from the middle of an otherwise uninterrupted run. This may stem from the time required to format each issue for the Flash-based reader – more on that shortly. But, it would seem prudent to at least build a given series from the start and continue to its conclusion, or until it stands a few months behind the continuing print version in stores.
Getting over the number or order of issues available, let’s say you find a comic you’d like to read. Once the reader launches, it gives you a number of options. You can either read it a page – or two pages – at a time like an Adobe PDF, scrolling and zooming as you see fit. Or, you can enable the Smart Panel feature, which zooms in on the panels one-by-one. In the case of less orderly arrangements, the reader will zoom in on entire sections of the page, sometimes encompassing more than one panel. Regardless, it tells the story in sequence, and you need only click on the panel to see the one immediately following it. Trying to jump back and forth between panels and pages becomes tricky, though, and I sometimes found myself at the wrong page for my failure to click inside the right segment. Each page has been segmented with faint white boxes that flash when you move the mouse pointer over them. I can only imagine what a pain in the ass it must have been to outline each section in so many issues. Regardless, the Smart Panel feature can quickly degenerate into chaos and cause the reader program to lock up if you try to move back and forth too quickly. A couple of times, I tried to navigate backwards or elsewhere on the page and ended up back at the issue’s cover page, with the reader no longer responding. Maybe it’s just my laptop, but the whole thing seemed a bit jumpier and less reliable than I would have liked. But, if you don’t even want to click the panels yourself, you can put it into a kind of slideshow with intervals of 3, 7, 14, or 21 seconds per section or panel. The space between comics and cartoons grows narrower. But, if you can master Smart Panel mode – or just read the comic like a PDF and zoom at your leisure – you’ll find that the art looks absolutely incredible. With the higher resolution of a monitor, DCU brings you closer to the original art than print comics ever will. While this benefits newer comics well enough, it gives an eye-opening experience for older titles, many of which we’ve only seen in faded back issues and reprints over the years. Seeing Gene Colan’s art in Tomb of Dracula #10 up close really made me happy. Artists and those that like to examine the visual minutiae of individual pages will appreciate DCU for that alone.
You’ll notice that I’ve referred to DCU as a library a few times, rather than as a download service. It almost seems logical to assume that Marvel would allow such a thing, but alas, you can only read comics on DCU while connected to the Internet and logged in to the service. You can’t just buy a few issues, download them, and log off to read them on an airplane. You can only read comics from the library for as long as you have subscribed. Marvel has effectively taken the dream of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and brought it to comics. More than anything – and this never works out – the RIAA wants you, the listener, to not buy music to keep and listen to at your leisure. It wants you to pay for a certain number of plays, and then pay again for more. While this has never happened to the fullest extent, the RIAA would love to make it so. Similarly, Marvel will not just sell you digital comics for a portion of the cost of the print version, let you download a PDF (or even a file in a proprietary format), and then own an unlimited license to it. That’s what happens when you buy the print version. You don’t own the rights to the work itself, but you’ve bought the license to read it as long as you have it. Marvel’s DCU is more like flat-rate On Demand or Pay-Per-View. This makes the service seem overpriced and unnecessarily restrictive. Even iTunes lets you buy songs and burn them to a CD-R or transfer them to your iPod. Granted the Digital Rights Management (DRM) software carries certain obnoxious restrictions, but at least you own the song and can continue to listen to it without paying a monthly fee. Once you unsubscribe from DCU, you have no access to those comics.
Much like the argument of DRM-protected files versus illegally obtained MP3s, Marvel is trying to undercut the sharing of scanned comic books via BitTorrent with something that both costs more and inconveniences consumers. It has already asked the popular site Z Cult FM to stop hosting BitTorrent tracking files for illegally scanned and shared comics. I am not in favor of illegally sharing intellectual property online. I will admit that I have not lived hard and fast by that rule my entire life, but I try to avoid it and use legal services, like Emusic. The couple of times I tried downloading comics, I found the experience largely dissatisfying. I don’t like reading comics on a monitor, and I only do so when I receive a review copy in that format. But, many readers don’t mind and would happily exchange print comics for cheaper digital versions that don’t degrade with age, take up less space, and don’t immediately betray their comic addiction on a first date. If Marvel sees DCU as a viable alternative to freely available scanned comics, the publisher needs to strongly reconsider its plans.
No consumer already beholden to sharing comics via BitTorrent will abandon the idea in favor of DCU, which doesn’t even allow users to download and keep issues. Similarly, some people that habitually download illegally shared MP3s will never jump to iTunes, for its overpriced and restrictive proprietary files. And, a reader that prefers print comics will find little with DCU to retain his or her interest, besides the fantastic visual presentation. I subscribed for one month to try it out, and short of making a commitment to read through a few runs of older series – at least the ones not missing issues – I can’t see maintaining a subscription in lieu of just buying a few Essential volumes with the same issues. Granted, it’s more expensive to buy the first 100 or so issues of Amazing Spider-Man in collected volumes than to subscribe for a month and tear through them with Smart Panel. But, I’d have the volumes to read and return to for years, without having to pay another $5 or $10 on my credit card every month. Excluding the most prolific readers, most fans will only read so many issues per month or year – likely a fraction of the hundreds that they actually pay to access per month. Hence, it would probably cost more over time to maintain a subscription to DCU than to just buy the print comics one will actually read.
It would seem prudent for Marvel to just sell electronic versions of their comics for a fraction of the cost of their print counterparts, even if it keeps the current library subscription system. That way, fans could, perhaps, pay a flat rate to read comics online, but then pay a small fee to download them permanently. Even with a delay between the print and digital versions, some readers would happily wait for the chance to download a high quality version for, say, $0.99. Or, Marvel could adopt the same system Emusic uses and sell a certain number of downloads for a flat rate. There are many possibilities. But, the current system betrays a level of distrust towards readers by effectively selling them a library card with a monthly fee. It also offers little to dissuade anyone committed to downloading illegal scans. And, it’s more self-destructive than you think, because a few enterprising fans have already found how to save the comics loaded into the DCU reader, thus giving them access to even better looking versions than they could find via BitTorrent. I won’t explain the process, both for fear of Marvel’s lawyers and because I don’t want to encourage anyone. People will always find a way. Marvel might as well give readers what they really want and charge them for it, instead of just making them continue to pay for access to it. They can quickly learn the lesson that the RIAA is still trying to understand, eight years after Napster turned the recording industry on its head. Granted, you can still buy print comics in stores. It’s not as if Marvel has abandoned the pamphlet format in lieu of this service and prevented anyone from actually owning their comics. But, some fans want digital copies instead of print ones and strongly so, according to some of the letters I’ve received. And, they won’t use this service as an alternative to downloading current scanned versions that they can keep and read whenever they want.
But, DCU has its uses. The art’s never looked better, which will entice some fans. And, it can serve as a quick reference for both creators and fans looking for a particular story or incident. In theory, this could improve internal continuity in the Marvel Universe over time. If you really just want to read – and not necessarily own – the first hundred issues of an older series or a particular arc of a newer one, DCU may work for you as well. Once it irons out a few of the issues I’ve mentioned here, it may find an audience among fans content to read comics without any concerns about timeliness or the need to collect or retain issues in any way. Some people are perfectly happy to go to the library and return books when they’ve finished reading them. But, I always buy my books.
That’s it for this week guys. You can check DCU out at Marvel's website. Try the service out, see if you like it, and let the guys at Marvel know what you think. There are even free comics on there to demonstrate the reader program, if you don’t want to pay immediately. You just have to sign up for a free Marvel profile that doesn’t include a DCU subscription. Keep in mind that this is a new service, so the guys over at the House of Ideas will be listening for our reactions. This column is mine, but your mileage may vary.
The Spinner Rack
By Ben Johnson and Kurt Amacker
DARK HORSE COMICS
Berserk Vol 20 TP (MR) $13.95
Criminal Macabre My Demon Baby #3 (Of 4) $2.99
Ben: How much worse could it possibly be than the real thing?
Kurt: I was going to say that it seems almost redundant.
Cut $9.95
Joey Gladstone: It out!!! (And when you figure that joke out you’ll realize this column has never sunk so low).
Kurt: I’d like to announce an opening for the Official Comicscape Joke Writer.
Fear Agent Hatchet Job #1 (Of 4) $2.99
It Ate Billy On Christmas HC $12.95
Kurt: Some monsters have no respect for traditional values.
MPD Psycho Vol 3 TP (MR) $10.95
Shaman Warrior Vol 5 TP $12.95
Speak O/T Devil #3 (Of 6) $3.50
Ben: Sudden death has never been more appropriate.
Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic #23 $2.99
Usagi Yojimbo #107 $2.99
DC COMICS
52 Aftermath The Four Horsemen #4 (Of 6) $2.99
All Star Batman And Robin The Boy Wonder #8 $2.99
Ben: This is starting to move into so bad it’s good territory.
American Virgin #21 (MR) $2.99
Ben: Good news! Final arc for this steamer is in progress!
Kurt: Just because the title aptly described your life until nine months ago doesn’t give you the right to bash it!
Authority Prime #2 (Of 6) $2.99
Batman #671 (Ghul) $2.99
Ben: Has anyone been keeping up on this crossover?
Kurt: No, and I didn’t even know if was a crossover until I saw that the two Batman titles I read weren’t quite linking up.
Batman And The Outsiders #2 $2.99
Batman Rules Of Engagement HC $24.99
Batman: Rule number one, the ring should cost at least two months salary. Rule number two, if you have a brain you would never spend that much on a diamond.
Kurt: Since when should Batman give out relationship advice?
Blue Beetle #21 $2.99
Cartoon Network Block Party #39 $2.25
Countdown Lord Havok And The Extremists #2 (Of 6) $2.99
Ben: The first issue had a sweet cover (I said something nice about Countdown).
Kurt: All right, let’s invent our own Countdown spinoffs. Here’s mine: Countdown to Extinction. Oh, wait.
Countdown To Adventure #4 (Of 8) $3.99
Countdown To Final Crisis 22 $2.99
Crime Bible The Five Lessons Of Blood #2 (Of 5) $2.99
Crossing Midnight #13 (MR) $2.99
Death Of The New Gods #3 (Of 8) $3.50
Ben: Kind of better than some other books but not really very exciting – Ben Johnson, Mania.com
Kurt: A ringing endorsement if there ever was one.
Deathblow #8 $2.99
Kurt: So, whatever happened to this huge WildStorm relaunch we heard about?
Elfquest Archives Vol 4 HC $59.99
Faker #5 (Of 6) (MR) $2.99
Freddy Vs Jason Vs Ash #2 (Of 6) $2.99
Ben: If, through some bizarre flux in the rules of the universe, the first issue has yet to sell out at a comic shop and the second issue arrives following the awesome equation (A+A=way too much awesome) where A=Awesome the consequences would be… Awesome.
Kurt: I think I’m going to wait for trade so that I can have all of the awesomeness at once, uninterrupted by unawesome advertisements. I think that sheer overdose of awesome will ruin all future comics for me.
Gen13 Armageddon #1 $2.99
Gotham Underground #2 (Of 9) $2.99
Green Lantern Corps #18 $2.99
Ben: If you’re not reading this crossover, you suck.
Hawkgirl Hawkman Returns TP $17.99
Jack Of Fables #17 (MR) $2.99
JLA Classified #47 $2.99
JSA Classified #32 $2.99
Key To The Kingdom Vol 2 $9.99
Midnighter Vol 1 Killing Machine TP $14.99
Orfina Vol 1 (MR) $12.99
Ben: Further proof that all the good names are taken.
Showcase Presents Tp Supergirl Vol 01 $16.99
Kurt: Is she powdering her nose while Superman beats someone up in the background?
Supergirl And The Legion Of Super Heroes #36 $2.99
Superman Annual #13 $3.99
Kurt: I’m there.
Superman Batman #43 $2.99
Kurt: I’m not.
Teen Titans #53 $2.99
Ben: In the first issue of the Titans tomorrow event the Titans of the future were able to easily defeat The Big Three (Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman). When the Blue Beetle rescued all of them last issue they immediately flew off to take care of “something important” telling Blue Beetle they were sure the teenage Titans could handle it. This is like a firefighter being rescued by a five year old and then handing the kid a garden hose and telling them to get to it. Someone should call Child Protective Services.
Teen Titans Go #49 $2.25
Ben: Back in time to the seventies and get caught up in the drug culture, eventually leading to Robin becoming a cocaine kingpin during the 80’s until his younger, future self arrives and dies taking older Robin out. I should write for DC.
Tenjho Tenge Vol 16 (MR) $9.99
Testament Vol 3 Babel TP (MR) $12.99
Trials Of Shazam #10 (Of 12) $2.99
Uncle Sam And The Freedom Fighters #3 (Of 8) $2.99
IMAGE COMICS
Age Of Bronze Vol 3 Betrayal HC $27.99
Ben: I always pick this up and think about buying it because I could become one of those “comics are art” people, but then I get distracted by something shiny and buy Spider-Man.
Kurt: And that, my dull-witted friend, is why I sit in cafés and sip lattés, while looking down my nose at you. Ho ho.
Age Of Bronze Vol 3 Betrayal TP $17.99
Archibald Saves Christmas #1 (MR) $3.50
Bad Planet #4 (Of 6) (MR) $2.99
Ben: Give it a spanking and send it to bed without supper.
Kurt: Tom Jane! Steve Niles! F—king aliens!
Bomb Queen IV #3 (Of 4) (MR) $3.50
Ben: I hate this one.
Casanova #11 (MR) $1.99
Ben: The comic about me continues.
Kurt: That’s funny. My comic, The Prince of Darkness Wins Again, didn’t come out this week. Damn.
First Born Cvr A #3 (Of 3) $2.99
First Born Cvr B #3 (Of 3) $2.99
Frank Frazettas Death Dealer #5 (Of 6) (MR) $3.99
Jack Kevorkian: I’m suing for trademark infringement.
Madman Atomic Comics #5 $2.99
Popgun Vol 1 GN $29.99
Proof #2 (MR) $2.99
Dr. Rob: You start with certain "undefined objects," in this case "point," "line," "plane," "length," "area," "between," etc. Then you are given certain statements about them which you are to accept as true. These are called Postulates or Axioms.
Savage Dragon #134 $2.99
Tech Jacket Vol 1 Boy From Earth TP $14.99
Unique TP $12.99
Ben: The uniqueness comes from the sandpaper texture.
Witchblade Takeru Manga #10 (MR) $3.99
Ben: The yin to Freddy Vs. Jason Vs. Ash’s yang.
MARVEL COMICS
Avengers Initiative Basic Training Vol 1 Prem HC $19.99
Ben: The first thing is to get them to make their poopies outside.
Kurt: Having a child has sent you on the long spiral downwards towards coprophelia.
Black Panther #32 $2.99
Cable Deadpool #47 $2.99
Captain America By Ed Brubaker Omnibus HC Vol 01 DM ED $74.99
Ben: That is the sound of my wallet emptying.
Kurt: I already have the originals.
Civil War Script Book TP $24.99
Ben: Finally the Civil War haters can take their revenge in the bathroom.
Kurt: They didn’t already?
Daredevil #102 $2.99
Kurt: Damn. Get in line for your Brubaker love.
Essential X-Men Vol 8 TP $16.99
Kurt: One more volume to wrap up Claremont’s most famous run on the title.
Foolkiller #2 (Of 5) (MR) $3.99
Jack Kirbys Galactic Bounty Hunters HC $24.99
Magician Apprentice #11 (Of 12) $2.99
Marvel Adventures Iron Man #7 $2.99
Marvel Atlas #1 (Of 2) $3.99
Marvel Zombies 2 #2 (Of 5) $2.99
Ben: Imagine the stink from that.
Kurt: I think the entire zombie thing has started to stink. It was cute. Get over it.
Moon Knight Annual #1 $3.99
Sensational Spider-Man #41 OMD $3.99
Ben: This is turning into a suck fest.
Spider-Man Fairy Tales TP $10.99
Sub-Mariner #6 (Of 6) CWI $2.99
Ultimate Spider-Man #116 $2.99
Ben: This rocks.
World War Hulk Front Line #6 (Of 6) WWH $2.99
Ben: This is late.
X-Men #205 MC $2.99
X-Men First Class Vol 2 #6 $2.99
X-Men Messiah Complex One Shot 2nd Printing (MC) $3.99
Kurt: Jesus, I am so waiting for trade. Sorry guys, I love that Ed Brubaker’s writing Uncanny X-Men. I do not love it enough to buy a giant crossover to get the whole story. It’s things like this and that stupid Endangered Species thing – a story broken into little pieces in the back of multiple titles – that will kill monthly comics as we know it.
Zombie Simon Garth #1 (Of 4) (MR) $3.99
Kurt: This is the sequel to a MAX miniseries that came out last year. It was a sort of reboot of Marvel’s old zombie character, Simon Garth. It was surprisingly good, despite Marvel’s otherwise near-sexual obsession with zombies these past few years. This is co-written by the same guy, Kyle Holtz (who co-authored the original with Mike Raicht), alongside – say it with me – Eric-F--king-Powell.
Ben: This is the end of the Spinner Rack.
Questions? Comments? Let us know what you think at comicscape@mania.com.
Which is why I can't wait to watch this die a painful, horrible, well-deserved death.
Months ago I checked out the free comics Marvel had available and dealt with that Smart Panel stuff... I didn't care for it at all. It made the experience miserable, compared to how simple and effective a .cbr file is (or even a .pdf file, for that matter).
The fact that Marvel is going the RIAA route, that we shouldn't own digital copies, just goes to show how clueless and out of touch they are with consumers. It's pathetic.