Many traditional comic book shop owners have noticed a decrease in revenue due to the shift of digital. Customers have the option to buy comics directly on their iPad and Android devices, which can be downloaded at any time. Monetizing digital sales is something that comic shop owners have been unable to do, but this might all change. Diamond Digital is a new project launched by Diamond and iVerse that will allow shop owners to sell downloads of digital comics. The Diamond Digital service will launch July 23 and allow consumers read content on retailer websites and download it with a “Digital Comics Reader” app for iOS and Android devices.
Comic Shop owners who opt into this new program can generate redemption codes. The codes can be used in their stores by fans on Wednesdays to purchase digital comics, either as a digital editions priced the same as the print edition, or as a special digital “Plus” edition, which will sell for 99 cents with the purchase of a physical copy of the comic. Users have a choice of redeeming the codes on their retailer’s website or via their website.
Shop owners have a ton of different options to build their website around digital content. There is a fully featured web API that they can use for custom built solutions, while using PAYPAL for purchases is the path of least resistance. When the service launches on July 23rd, Diamond Digital will offer over four thousand comic books and graphic novels from such publishers as IDW, Image, Boom Studios, Archie, Top Shelf, and Hermes Ape, with more soon to be added. However, DC Comics and Marvel have yet to opt into the program.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
