Graphic.Ly Falls..

[Wood]

One of the problems all digital products have now is distribution. If you buy your comics from "legit" outlets, they are fucked if these outlets go under. Sucks, and it shouldn't be that way. That's where the DRM vs. unprotected issue really comes to a head.

[Dean S.]

One of the problems all digital products have now is distribution. If you buy your comics from "legit" outlets, they are fucked if these outlets go under. Sucks, and it shouldn't be that way. That's where the DRM vs. unprotected issue really comes to a head.

I still say this is the reason to buy through the publishers own apps.  Now, before someone chimes in to say, "The Marvel app IS comixology" I sincerely beg to differ.  There is a big difference between doing business directly with Comixology and using an app that runs on their engine.

You're much less likely to "lose your comics" if you just buy from the publisher.  Plus, wouldn't you want to put a few extra pennies in the pocket of the company that created the product?  I guarantee you the revenue split is different if you buy an Image comic from the Image app versus the Comixology app.

As for Graphic.ly's change......I can't say I understand enough about what they're trying to do to say anything one way or another.  But, their app was lousy.  And, I thought all the social networking stuff they added was dumb.  In such a tiny market, we really didn't need three different companies competing to be generic apps.  It just looked like a lot of people trying to get into a really small boat.  

I wish them luck.  Start-up success being what it is, they'll probably still fail at what they're doing now too, but they deserve kudos for knowing when to pull the plug and stop beating a dead horse.

[Bobgar Ornelas]

One of the things I don't like about digital is that I don't have the comic laying around afterwards. Call me old fashioned...I just like to own a product when I purchase it.

Just to play devil's advocate here, you don't own the movie when you go to the theatre or stream it from netflix. But with netflix and comic apps you do have the ability to revisit should you want to.

It's all about your preference. There's no right or wrong. I get some stuff in paper some digital. I want to get rid of a ton of my old comics, not because they don't mean anything to me but just because logically I will never have the time to revisit them.

[Lesson_25]

Just to play devil's advocate here, you don't own the movie when you go to the theatre or stream it from netflix. But with netflix and comic apps you do have the ability to revisit should you want to.

It's all about your preference. There's no right or wrong. I get some stuff in paper some digital. I want to get rid of a ton of my old comics, not because they don't mean anything to me but just because logically I will never have the time to revisit them.

Good point. I think for me it is about what I know I'm missing out on. It's the history of the purchase that influences me. I'm used to buying a comic, holding in my hands, flipping the pages, peeking five panels ahead (even though I know I shouldn't), then bagging and boarding it when I'm done. That's what I miss with digital. I don't miss similar feelings when attending a movie in the theater or checking out a show I missed 10 years ago on Netflix (and I do love my Netflix!). I never got to physically own those things before, so I don't miss them.

Don't get me wrong though. I've bought digital before and will again. I just think it is a weak substitute for the real thing.

[Bobgar Ornelas]

Good point. I think for me it is about what I know I'm missing out on. It's the history of the purchase that influences me. I'm used to buying a comic, holding in my hands, flipping the pages, peeking five panels ahead (even though I know I shouldn't), then bagging and boarding it when I'm done. That's what I miss with digital. I don't miss similar feelings when attending a movie in the theater or checking out a show I missed 10 years ago on Netflix (and I do love my Netflix!). I never got to physically own those things before, so I don't miss them.

Don't get me wrong though. I've bought digital before and will again. I just think it is a weak substitute for the real thing.

I agree with you, but to be honest for my nostalgia and need to physically own something to me it all breaks down to paper. If it was printed on newsprint I'll most likely want to keep it.

If it is "classic" old and smells like an old comic should I will keep it. Anything pretty much after Image debuted I can own get in digital and be fine with it. Of course there's mini comics, self published etc that will never go away or ever leave my possession. 

[RickV]

You're much less likely to "lose your comics" if you just buy from the publisher.  Plus, wouldn't you want to put a few extra pennies in the pocket of the company that created the product?  I guarantee you the revenue split is different if you buy an Image comic from the Image app versus the Comixology app.

Well yeah but right now Image doesn't have an app...

[Ryan 'gobo' C.]

Well yeah but right now Image doesn't have an app...

Since when? They've had a comixology powered store for ages.

[BadDeacon]

One of the things I don't like about digital is that I don't have the comic laying around afterwards. Call me old fashioned...I just like to own a product when I purchase it.

My view started to change when I moved to a tiny apartment in downtown San Francisco, and realized I didn't have room for 25 long boxes

[Julian Lytle]

I still say this is the reason to buy through the publishers own apps.  Now, before someone chimes in to say, "The Marvel app IS comixology" I sincerely beg to differ.  There is a big difference between doing business directly with Comixology and using an app that runs on their engine.

You're much less likely to "lose your comics" if you just buy from the publisher.  Plus, wouldn't you want to put a few extra pennies in the pocket of the company that created the product?  I guarantee you the revenue split is different if you buy an Image comic from the Image app versus the Comixology app.

As for Graphic.ly's change......I can't say I understand enough about what they're trying to do to say anything one way or another.  But, their app was lousy.  And, I thought all the social networking stuff they added was dumb.  In such a tiny market, we really didn't need three different companies competing to be generic apps.  It just looked like a lot of people trying to get into a really small boat.  

I wish them luck.  Start-up success being what it is, they'll probably still fail at what they're doing now too, but they deserve kudos for knowing when to pull the plug and stop beating a dead horse.

You know I don't really buy that. I see those apps as just other comixology apps. If they go under who deals with the app they made.

[Ryan 'gobo' C.]

You know I don't really buy that. I see those apps as just other comixology apps. If they go under who deals with the app they made.

It's already happened. When IDW moved from iVerse to Comixology they honoured all purchases made in the IDW app. IDW purchases made in the iVerse app itself weren't honoured though.

[Dean S.]

It's already happened. When IDW moved from iVerse to Comixology they honoured all purchases made in the IDW app. IDW purchases made in the iVerse app itself weren't honoured though.

That's right.  That was a minor kick in the teeth for me as I lost a few things I'd bought via iVerse back in the old days. 

I do see Julian's point: there are no guarantees.  But, I still think there is a better chance that you get to "keep" your digital comics during a time of upheaval if you buy them from the publisher's app versus Comixology.  Now...."better" could be anything from a teeny, tiny bit better chance to almost certainty.

I have similar worries about the Image app.  What if one of those creators moves a comic away from Image?  If Kirkman weren't an Image partner, would he still be publishing TWD and Invincible at Image or would he just do it himself?

Another wrinkle that I think speaks in favor of the publishers apps.....what about these free digital copies that Marvel is giving away now?  I'd be surprised if they took those away from us.