The web-based digital comics platform GlobalComix has announced publishing agreements with several new publishers, including Image Comics, BOOM! Studios, Tokyopop and Archie Comics, as they prepare to launch their first mobile app.
“I have waited for this moment for years,” said Christopher Carter, CEO of GlobalComix. “Not only are we finally about to change the landscape of digital comics publishing entirely, but we are also fortunate enough to do it together with a vibrant community of creators from both popular web and indie comics; and also many of the most venerable and well respected publishers in the entire world [of comics]. We will be bringing more comics to even more readers, worldwide, and doing so in a fiscally accessible way. With this, we’re paving the way for a vibrant and thriving ecosystem in which creators and publishers can make a sustainable living, doing exactly what they love, and that is one of the major reasons for why we’re doing what we do.”
GlobalComix already had comics available from TKO Studios, Bad Egg Publishing, InterPop, Papercutz, Valiant Entertainment, Top Cow, Source Point Press, TPub Comics, Mad Cave Studios and Humanoids. They’ll also add books from NBM and “And … Action” Entertainment.
As for the app itself, they plan to launch it on both iOS and Android, which is amazing news for Android users in particular, given how often companies will start with iOS because it’s typically seen as an easier and more secure system to build for. The app will include these features:
- Over 40k+ books in catalog with 25k+ more in pipeline and growing
- In-App subscription purchase with worldwide access
- Catalogs from top publishers, indie and webcomic creators
- Curated recommendations for hundreds of new series, weekly
- Opt-in to follow creators & publishers for new release notifications
- Fully searchable personal library collection with reading status filters
- Filter searches by type, format, genre, theme, art style, language, paywall and other meaningful facets
- Comment, react and share your favorite stories with friends and community alike
GlobalComix offers both individual, DRM-free downloads for sale, as well as an “all you can eat” model for $89.99 a year (although right now it is on sale for $69.99). While they’ve added some heavy hitters to their mix, they still have plenty of room to grow, as they lack Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, IDW and several others. Still, given everything going on with Comixology right now and the uncertainty of its future, GlobalComix might be a suitable alternative depending on what you’re looking for.