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A recurring complaint about digital comics platforms is that the “purchase” option is actually closer to a long-term rental agreement, with titles only available to view in the cloud on specific platforms. During its panel at San Diego Comic-Con Thursday, industry leader ComiXology set about changing that.
The company, which was purchased by Amazon in April, announced a new DRM-free back-up feature that will allow users to download copies of their purchases. Initially available through a select number of publisher partners, including Image Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, Zenescope Entertainment, MonkeyBrain Comics, Thrillbent, and Top Shelf Productions, the feature will also be available to self-publishers and creators publishing through the ComiXology Submit platform.
STORY Comics Industry Reacts to Amazon Acquisition of ComiXology
“For those out there who have not joined the comic reading community because of DRM– you have no excuse now,” ComiXology co-founder John D. Roberts said in a statement from the company, adding that the company plans to announce “more innovative features as we move ahead with our mission of making everyone on the face of the planet a comic book fan!”
Previously, individual publishers—including Thrillbent and Image Comics—have sold DRM-free digital editions through their own storefronts; this is, however, the first time a multi-publisher platform of this scale has launched such a program. Downloads will be available in two formats, PDF and CBZ, available from the “My Books” section of the ComiXology website immediately, according to the company.
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