Yesterday’s big news — at least for folks who are fans of drawings with words — concerned Amazon.com’s acquisition of digital comics platform Comixology. The open letter to readers from co-founder David Steinberger didn’t exactly get into the finer points of the deal, but it did specifically mention Amazon’s wildly successful Kindle e-reader line and the fact that Comixology “will retain its identity as an Amazon subsidiary.”
Honestly, I’ve only recently started exploring Comixology in earnest, as I’m more a Marvel Unlimited kinda guy, but over the last few weeks their steady stream of impressive sales and unparalleled customer service has kept me coming back. Often.
While it’s too early to tell if this move will ultimately benefit Amazon, Comixology, the comic book-buying public or all/none of the above, I’m cautiously optimistic. I’m a big fan of Amazon and, as I mentioned above, Comixology has made a quick and highly positive impression on me personally.
But just because I refuse to delve too deeply into theory and conjecture doesn’t mean you can’t. Feel free to share your own two cents in the comments below.
I have mixed feelings. I like Comixology as it is and i worry that Amazon will try to alter it but I’m excited about the possibilities of a power house behind my favorite app for sales and price negotiations. ($2-$3 for over 2 year old titles? Come on publishers). Comixology kept me going in comics after i ran out of space with the kiddos in the house and travelling convenience.
I tried Marvel Unlimitted but their apps never worked right at the time and the website was wonky too.
I’m a big fan of the wide-open approach of Unlimited, Andrew, as well as the flat subscription price, but those regular 99 cent sales at Comixology have kept me coming back!
Amazon has done a pretty good job of acquiring popular companies and leaving them alone. Look at Zappos and Audible.
Agreed, John. Plus if they can roll some comics into my Amazon Prime benefits–all the better! 🙂
What John said. 🙂