Following a trend of free promotions that began with the free iBook download of the New Avengers #1 comic, Marvel has started to offer traditional comic buffs a new technological incentive: readers now receive a free digital copy of every $3.99 paper comic book they buy!
Avengers Assemble!
There are certainly myriad comic book connoisseurs that have already preordered the first true High Definition retina-like screen wielding iPad from Apple, and now they will have all of the ammunition to soak up the gorgeous clarity and vivid coloring of the tablet with any of the Marvel super hero comics.
Are we in the middle of an Iron Man-like technologically innovative Tony Stark revolution?
Peter Phillips, SVP & GM, Marvel Digital Media says, “At Marvel, we’re always looking for ways to bring the worlds of print and digital media together to deliver the best comics experience for our fans. With this next step, fans will soon be able to buy their comics from their favorite retailers but also enjoy them on their mobile devices and tablets, all at no extra charge. Welcome to the Revolution.”
With the advocacy of e-readers in so many devices, from the Nook tablet, the iPhone, and even the iPod Touch, giving free access to digital versions of the products that consumers have already bought hard copies to is something that mirrors what many movie studios are doing with their Blu-ray and DVDs that include their digital counterparts.
It is not a new practice, but is certainly one that comic fans will find appealing. Marvel is championing the if it’s free, it’s for me campaign, and why not? It will only bolster sales of paper books that have collect-ability and digital copies.
What books are we talking about?
Well Marvel has an answer for that too, in all of the most-talked-about comics in the industry—including AVENGERS, CAPTAIN AMERICA, INVINCIBLE IRON MAN, THE MIGHTY THOR, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN and more—[and they] will come packed with a code to ensure fans have the most critically acclaimed stories with them anytime, anywhere.
It is time to go to the comic shop for my Amazing Spider-man!
