Netflix For Comic Books: How Does Scribd Compare To Comixology And Marvel Unlimited?

Scribd has announced the launch of their unlimited digital comic book subscription section, essentially a "Netflix for comic books." But how good is this new offering? And how does it compare to the other services offered by Marvel and Amazon? Find out, after the jump.

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First some back story:

I've recently gotten the comic book bug again. It started when I put together the /Film Holiday Gift Guide last year. Putting together the graphic novel section resulted in a few purchases on the Comixology app. And then Christmas vacation hit and the flood gates opened.

I love reading comic books on my iPad but the price for first run books is expensive ($4-5 an issue) vs. a discounted trade paperback graphic novel ($10-$15) which collects 6-10 issues later. I've never really liked reading individual comic books; I've always stuck to the graphic novels and collected paperbacks. Yes, it was the price and also the fact that I would forget what was going on in the storyline from month to month as new issues were released. But for some reason that has changed. Maybe it has something to do with the current state of serialized television, but I love getting a new comic each month.

The point of this is, I'm currently a consumer trying to find the perfect service to fit my comic book reading needs. So when I heard that Scribd was launching a "netflix for comics", I jumped to find out how it would work.

There are a variety of digital comic book services out there right now, but all of them seem to have their disadvantages.

marvel unlimitedMarvel Unlimited ($10/month or $70/year):

  • Marvel's app offers unlimited access to over 15,000 Marvel comics.
  • You get all the new issues to all of the current series but six month behind the news-stand. Sounds great, but there is a lot of problems with the app and service that make me not want to use it:
  • The digital comic scans are rather low quality in comparison to the other services.
  • The app's offline viewing options are not that great.
  • But my real problems are with the interface and not being able to discover new series in a helpful way.
  • There is no ability to subscribe to a series or get notifications from a particular series when a new comic arrives.
  • And this should be obvious but Marvel's Unlimited app only offers access to Marvel's library, so if you want something other than superhero comics, you have to really look elsewhere.
  • ComixologyComixology ($2-5/issue):

  • This is my preferred comic reading app because of the quality of the comic scans and the extensive catalog which features almost every comic available.
  • Each comic is sold separately, usually $4-5 for new issues and a discounted price for older issues.
  • Comixology will offer sales on a weekly basis, which is a good way to get some good books at a discount (for instance, during my Christmas vacation they were offering 50% off on most of Image Comics library).
  • They also offer a subscription service so that you'll get the new issue digitally delivered each month, complete with an email notifying you that you now have the latest issue of a series. I'm currently doing this with a bunch of comic series including the new run of Star Wars.
  • But again, its expensive. I've always believed that digital versions should be discounted from the print copies. There is no reason we should be paying more for a digital movie than a physical blu-ray from Target, and the same should be for comics. But alas, that is not the case here.
  • The biggest problem with the Comixology app is that last year when they were sold to Amazon (this should be a good thing, right?) the mega company decided to remove the ability to purchase comics from the app (likely in an effort not to have to pay Apple a percentage). Whats worse is the entire front end letting you explore other comics and series is gone. You instead have to go to the website and explore and purchase from there. Doesn't sound like a huge issue but its a frustrating process.
  • So how does Scribd's new "Netflix for comic books" section compare? Find out on the next page...

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    So how does Scribd's new "Netflix for comic books" section compare?

  • Scribd is a subscription reading service which gives you access to a ton of books, and now comic books, for $8.99 a month. So its not just a comic book service, you get a lot more.
  • Scribd lets you take up to 20 titles for offline viewing at a time, about double that of Marvel Unlimited without even considering that collected volumes count towards that number.
  • The service promises over 10,000 comics from publishers such as Marvel (about 20% of Marvel's entire catalog), Archie, Boom! Studios, Dynamite, IDW/Top Shelf, and Valiant. You can browse their catalog here. Sounds like a lot of comics and publishers right? It isn't. The Marvel stuff is largely old legacy titles, and you'll probably find it hard to get access to any current comic titles that your friends are raving about. DC Comics/Vertigo is notably absent. My favorite comic imprints Oni Press and Image Comics are also not included.
  • One cool new feature is a "binge button," which allows readers to advance to the next issue or volume in a series without having to leave the reading experience to search for the next installment. Comixology has a button like this, but only for future series comics you have already purchased.
  • I love the idea of a digital comic books subscription service, a netflix for comic books, and would be willing to pay very good money to subscribe to one — but Scribd's service is far too limited for me. For now I'm going to stick with the Comixology's ale carte app for now and hope they see the light in eventually reinstating the ability to browse and buy comics in the app. I'm sure they would sell so many more comics this way and it would be such a better experience for the reader.

    Here are the official press releases for Scribd's new unlimited comic books area:

    SCRIBD ADDS UNLIMITED COMIC BOOKS TO ITS SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE

    IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MARVEL, IDW/TOP SHELF, VALIANT, AND OTHER LEADING COMIC PUBLISHERS

    Marks World's Largest, Most Comprehensive Subscription Reading Service with More than 1 Million eBooks, Audiobooks, Comics, and More, All for $8.99 per Month

    SAN FRANCISCO, February 10, 2015 at 10 a.m. ET — Scribd today announced that it is expanding its leading global subscription reading service to include unlimited access to more than 10,000 comic books from some of the world's top comic publishers. This offering represents the first time such a rich and varied selection of comics from some of the industry's top publishers – including Marvel, Archie, Boom! Studios, Dynamite, IDW/Top Shelf, and Valiant – have been made available in one unlimited digital subscription service. The selection includes fan favorites from Spider-Man to My Little Pony to X-O Manowar, and from Transformers to Archie, along with hit YA series such as Locke & Key and acclaimed graphic novels by creators Alan Moore, Matt Fraction, Gail Simone, George R.R. Martin and more.

    "We are very excited to take this step in expanding our subscription service beyond books," said Trip Adler, co-founder and CEO of Scribd. "This addition gives comics readers the freedom of unlimited reading, while also giving our ebook and audiobook lovers the opportunity to discover comics and graphic novels."

    Comics and graphic novels represent an $870 million market in the US, with a rapidly expanding and diversifying readership. Scribd is at the forefront of efforts to develop and shape the industry for the digital age by making it possible for readers worldwide to enjoy unlimited access to the comics they want across all mobile devices, as well as the web.

    Scribd's comics library will feature:

    ?        Classic Comics – Classic runs of the Avengers, the X-Men, Daredevil, Archie, Judge Dredd, the Rocketeer and more

    ?        Top Characters – Spider-Man, the Avengers, Betty and Veronica, Kevin Keller, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, My Little Pony, G.I. Joe, Bloodshot, Adventure Time

    ?        Major Creators – Alan Moore, Frank Miller, Fiona Staples, Darwyn Cooke, Mark Waid, Ed Brubaker, Renee French, Jeffrey Brown, Joe Hill, and many more

    ?        Acclaimed Graphic Novels – March, From Hell, Swallow Me Whole, Underwater Welder, Spiral-Bound, The Ticking, Too Cool to Be Forgotten

    ?        Award Winners – League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, 30 Days of Night, Locke & Key, Alec, Will You Still Love Me if I Wet the Bed??         Hit YA Titles – Ultimate Spider-Man, Runaways, Afterlife With Archie, Harbinger, Lumberjanes?        Manga – Partnership with MediaDo brings titles from Cork and Harlequin Manga, including work by acclaimed artist Moyoco Anno

    ?        Leading Publishers – Marvel, Arcana, Archie, Boom! Studios, Dynamite, IDW/Top Shelf, Kingstone, Space Goat, Top Cow, Valiant, Zenescope

    Readers will have the ability to browse comics in a variety of ways, allowing long-time fans to dive deep and find what they love and new readers to explore comics:

    ?        By Character – Character pages allow readers to follow their favorite characters through their series and guest appearances.

    ?        By Series – Readers can browse by title and read series entire series from start to finish.

    ?        By Curated Collection – Readers can browse over 100 expert-curated collections of comics, such as Incredible Team-Ups, Classic Marvel Moments, Zombie Horror, Welcome to Riverdale, Funny Women, Supernatural Romance, and more.

    This addition of comics, along with recent eBooks and audiobook deals, increases Scribd's library to more than one million titles, representing the largest unlimited-access offering of eBooks, audiobooks, and comics globally.

    About Scribd

    Scribd is the premier subscription book service with more than 1 million e-books, audiobooks, comics, and more, including New York Times bestsellers, Pulitzer Prize winners and reader favorites across every genre. Launched in 2007 by founders Trip Adler and Jared Friedman and backed by Y Combinator, Charles River Ventures, Redpoint Ventures and Khosla Ventures, Scribd is one of the most influential websites in the world. It is available in nearly every country, featuring 62MM documents in +80 languages, making it the world's largest subscription reading service. For more information, please visit www.scribd.com.

    About Marvel

    Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy five years.  Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing.  For more information visit marvel.com.  © 2015 MARVEL

    About Archie Comics

    Archie Comics is the leading mass market comic book publisher in the world and the home to a wide array of the most popular humor, action-adventure and superhero characters in entertainment, including Archie, Jughead, Betty and Veronica, Reggie, Kevin Keller, Josie and the Pussycats, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Afterlife With Archie, the Dark Circle Comics superhero characters (The Black Hood, The Fox, The Shield and more), Li'l Jinx and many more. Archie Comics have sold over 2 billion comics worldwide and are published around the world in a number of languages. In addition to comics, Archie characters have been featured prominently in animation, television, film and music. Follow Archie Comics on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and the Archie Comics Store.

    About IDW Publishing

    IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro's The TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE and MY LITTLE PONY; Paramount's Star Trek; Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; 2000AD's Judge Dredd; The Rocketeer; Toho's Godzilla; V-Wars from New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Maberry; Ragnarök from Eisner Award-winner Walter Simonson; Winterworld, created by Chuck Dixon and Jorge Zaffino; and Little Nemofrom the award-winning duo of Eric Shanower and Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to acclaimed imprints such as the Library of American Comics, Yoe! Books, IDW Artist's Editions, and Top Shelf Productions.

    About Valiant Entertainment

    Valiant is a leading character-based entertainment company with a library of over 2,000 characters, including X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Shadowman, and many more. Established in 1989, Valiant has sold over 80 million comic books, and today its characters continue to be forged in publishing, licensing, film, video games, and beyond. Since its 2012 relaunch, Valiant has returned to the fore as one of the most highly regarded publishers in comics, earning a Diamond Gem Award for Comic Book Publisher of the Year and multiple Harvey Award nominations. Visit them online at ValiantUniverse.com.

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    And here's Marvel's press release:

    MARVEL PARTNERS WITH SCRIBD TO MAKE SOME OF MARVEL'S GREATEST COLLECTED

    EDITIONS AVAILABLE VIA SUBSCRIPTION

    Unlimited Access to Hundreds of Marvel's Collected Editions Starring Iron Man, Spider-Man, Hulk and More, All for $8.99 per Month

    New York, NY – February 10th, 2015 — Marvel Comics today announced that it has partnered with leading subscription reading service Scribd to provide readers unlimited access to hundreds of Marvel's collected editions starring Iron Man, Captain America, Spider-Man, Guardians of the Galaxy, the Hulk, and more. This offering represents the first time Marvel Comics will be available via a subscription service alongside other content forms including eBooks and audiobooks.

    "For decades, a driving force at Marvel has been the desire to put comics in the hands of new readers," said Daniele Campbell, VP CRM. "Our partnership with Scribd allows some of Marvel's greatest stories to sit alongside Scribd's already vast and eclectic catalogue of content in an effort to reach readers who might not have access to a comic shop."

    "This partnership gives us the opportunity to not only bring devoted comic fans into Scribd's world of unlimited reading, but also to introduce the entire Scribd community to the world of comics," said Julie Haddon, Vice President of Editorial and Marketing at Scribd. "We're excited to broaden our subscription service so that readers can discover more than books."

    Marvel fans will have the ability to browse hundreds of Marvel's collected editions on Scribd by category, subcategory and custom collections curated by Scribd's editorial staff:

  • Top Characters – Spider-Man, Guardians of the Galaxy, the Hulk, and more
  • Classic Comics – Classic runs of the Avengers, the X-Men, Daredevil and more
  • Major Creators – Mark Waid, Ed Brubaker, Brian K. Vaughan, Grant Morrison, and many more
  • Hit YA Titles – Ultimate Spider-Man, Runaways, Young Inhumans
  • Award Winners – Acclaimed graphic novels by artists from Alex Ross to Moebius
  • Curated Collections – Classic Marvel Moments, Heroes of Color, Spotlight on Jack Kirby, and more
  • Scribd is at the forefront of efforts to develop and shape the industry for the digital age by making it possible for readers to enjoy unlimited access to comics across all mobile, tablet, and web platforms.

    About Marvel Entertainment

    Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy-five years.  Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing.  For more information visit marvel.com.

    © 2015 MARVEL

    About Scribd

    Scribd is the premier subscription book service with more than a million e-books, audiobooks and comics including New York Times bestsellers, Pulitzer Prize winners and reader favorites across every genre. Launched in 2007 by founders Trip Adler and Jared Friedman and backed by Y Combinator, Charles River Ventures, Redpoint Ventures and Khosla Ventures, Scribd is one of the most influential websites in the world. It is available in nearly every country, featuring 62MM documents in +80 languages. For more information, please visit www.scribd.com.