downthetubes Mobile Comics

Win a PSP 3000 thanks to the Geeks!

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:18:00 +0000

To celebrate the launch of the Sony Digital Comic Store, top British comics and SF news site Geek Syndicate has teamed up with Sony and Insomnia Publications - publishers of titles such as Cages, Cancertown and Burke and Hare - to bring you an awesome competition to win a Sony PSP 3000 supplied by Sony.

The PSP 3000 will come with the a selection of graphic novels provided by Insomnia Publications, who are one of the first British publishers on board to take advantage of this latest digital comics delivery platform.

To be in with a chance to win all you need to do is send the Geeks an email with the title “Going digital with Geek Syndicate, Insomnia and Sony!” to geeksyndicate@hotmail.co.uk.

The first entry they pull out of the hat will win. The closing date for entry is 1st December.

For folks heading to the Thought Bubble convention in Leeds this weekend you can enter by heading over to the Insomnia Publications stand and filling in an entry form. Please note, this competition is only open to entrants who are 18 or over and have a UK Postal address.

The new Digital Reader on PSP kicks off Sony's Digital Comics service, with the company proclaiming it will revolutionise the way you read and open up a whole range of media to your fingertips.

Sony's Digital Reader service will start with Digital Comics in December 2009, offering a brand new way to read comic books via a huge library of digital comics you can download from PlayStation Store to your PSP – both classic and new comic titles.

The new service will offer content from Marvel Entertainment and IDW Publishing, as well as graphic novels and comics from a variety of local publishers and the latest underground sensations such as Insomnia.

Currently, Insomnia are the only UK indy
who will have books in the Sony Playstation Networks Digital Comics store when it launches in December.

More titles will arrive on PlayStation Store with monthly content updates, offering a huge choice of quality titles at your fingertips, allowing you to take your favourite comic characters with you on the move.

"This is a great new service that offers PSP owners even more options for entertainment on the go and makes PSP a must for comics fans,” says Isabelle Tomatis, European Marketing Manager, Hardware and Platforms, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

“Digital Comics will sit alongside the new PlayStation Network video download service as yet another way that PSP offers a whole world of entertainment in your hands.”

"We are incredibly excited to be partnering with Sony in the launch of the Digital Comics Service," says Crawford Coutts, Managing Director of Insomnia Publications. "Insomnia is committed to nurturing the very best new art, new writing and new concepts in its original graphic novels and the unprecedented scope of this Comics Store will connect independent publishers and readers around the globe."

• Full details of the Geek Syndicate competition here

• More about Insomnia's Digital Comics Plans here on their official blog

UWS Publishing Releases "Soldiers Zero"

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:31:00 +0000

Underwater Samurai Studios Publishing have just announced the release of their first made for digital comic, Soldiers Zero, now available on the iTunes App Store.

Written by Rob McClellan with art by Martin Montiel (The Darkness, Legendary), Chris Summers (G.I. Joe) and Charles Pritchett (Noble Causes), the first issue of Soldiers Zero follows the exploits of four prototype super-soldiers deployed to Afghanistan in August 2007, and the tragedy that befalls them.

UWS say the great-looking adventure strip, which runs to 185 screens and costs just 99 cents, is the start of an ongoing digital comic series made exclusively for the digital market, and the first salvo in a bold digital publishing agenda.

Back in January, Rob McClellan, who is a US naval officer, and his two partners Tim Welch and Tom James, formed UWS Publishing to produce content primarily for digital devices, a drastic departure from the current approach to publishing.

"People keep telling me that comics can only make money in print, but there are over five million iPhones out there being used every day," says McClellan.

"Even a quarter of a percent of iphone market share is 12,500 downloads – that's much better than most books by small publishers would ever do in print."

While the digital comic market is something now finally being embraced by large publishers such as Marvel, Rob feels there are opportunities for strong independent titles on mobile.

“I don't view this as a competition thing, actually” he says “Marvel's entrance to the scene is a fantastic indicator for digital comics. By placing their comics to the iphone, they are legitimizing this type of content and bringing a lot of die hard paper fans to the small screen. I think it's fantastic – the better they do, the better the digital comics market will do.”

To provide that quality experience, the UWS team felt it was imperative that the app perfectly synchronize with the book and, after a lengthy search, the right comic book app materialized from a small, Irish software company, Infurious Republic, the team behind Infurious Comics.

Over Skype, Rob and Philip Orr, the CEO of Infurious Republic, hammered out the details and, three prototypes later, settled on the app for Soldiers. The final result, feel the UWS team, is a digital comic experience unlike anything else currently on the market.

The navigation method for the Soldiers app is a simple tap on the far right or left sides of the screen and the word balloons can be removed to allow for better appreciation of the artwork. The reader can also quickly access "visual scrolling", a unique feature which yields fast, accurate navigation through the issue's 185 screens of content. Screen advances are quick, but subtle. The effect is a surprisingly easy and effortless read.

"Going digital required thinking a little differently," says McClellan. "There are a lot of differences between digital and print. We made Soldiers around those differences, fully accepting them and the result is a comic that feels organic to the device.

"I think it will change how people look at digital comics."

At a time when more and more books are gravitating to large Digital Comic Distributors such as iVerse and Comixology, Soldiers stands on its own. "We felt that putting the book behind an "in-app" purchasing application added another barrier for readers to get to our comic," says Rob. "Anyone can search for Soldiers in the app store, or link directly to it and share via blogs, e-mail, Twitter, and Facebook. We wanted to be able to capitalize on the impulse buy nature of digital."

Asked about his digital focused approach, Rob replied, "I realize that many feel this is a risk, but this is where we are going. A year ago video games were only played on massive systems, but now they're everywhere on the iphone. The digital comic audience is rapidly expanding and they're hungry for quality content.”

• Buy Soldiers on iTunes via this link, or search iTunes for “soldiers zero”.

Titan Launches Wallace & Gromit iPhone Comic

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:58:00 +0000

Britain's Titan Publishing has just launched its first digital comic for iPhone and iTouch - featuring Aardman Animations' inventors extraordinaire and Oscar winners, Wallace & Gromit.

Launched as the animated pair celebrate their 20th Anniversary, each comic is a complete Wallace & Gromit adventure and is packed with bonus features on the inveterate inventor and his faithful canine companion - and one of them is free-to-view.

“It’s really exciting to see Wallace and Gromit at the forefront of such a cracking new technology," commented Wallace & Gromit Digital Comic editor Ned Hartley, "although I secretly suspect that Wallace would be more comfortable with the type of apple that comes with cheese.”

• For more general information visit: http://titanpublishing.com/iphone/ and to keep up to date on new W&G phone releases visit this Facebook fan page

• Wallace & Gromit Comics are available from Apple’s App store now. Initially there are four comic stories to download...

• The W-Files Download now: US ($free) | UK (£free)

When strange shapes and flashing lights are seen in the night sky, there are only two paranormal investigators that can solve the problem. Sadly they aren’t available, so Wallace and Gromit might as well have a crack at it. After all, what could possibly go wrong?

• Parts & Labour Download now: US ($0.99) | UK (£0.59)

Where does he get those wonderful toys? Ever wondered where Wallace gets the parts for his eccentric, wonderful (and occasionally useful) inventions? Find out here!

• Big in Japan Download now: US ($0.99) | UK (£0.59)

Wallace and Gromit take time out to visit Wallace’s biggest fan in Japan, Hiro Worship. It turns out all is not well in the land of the rising sun, and it’s not long until Gromit has to deal with some monster problems!

• Where there’s Muck there’s Brass Download now: US ($0.99) | UK (£0.59)

Nothing gets Wallace as worked up as the disbanding of the local brass band, despite the fact that they aren’t very good, no-one wants to see them and they don’t really want to play anyway. This calls for... an invention!

Alpha Gods Released on Android, iPhone

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:18:00 +0000

British independent comics publisher Orang Utan Comics have extended their presence on mobile phones with the arrival of its Alpha Gods title on Android (and soon, iPhone and iTouch) via Robot Comics.

Written by Ian Sharman with art by Ezequiel Pineda, Alpha Gods is set in the year 2086, when humanity faces the new threat of the Extra Humans. The government is struggling to cope with the growing number of mutants, aliens and supernatural beings who are living amongst us. People are beginning to panic and so, in 2050, the Department for Extra Human Affairs was established with a remit to try and contain the problem. By 2086 the situation has escalated, so they have formed a new rapid response strike force, the Alpha Gods. Who better to police the Extra Human community than Extra Humans themselves?

A standalone Issue 0 is available free, introducing cyborg Paladin and super-powered Impact and other members of the Extra Human Department Affairs. The app offers their first mission in this exclusive prelude to the new superhero comic. Issue 1 now also available as a paid app, containing the free Issue #0 preview plus the entirety of the original Alpha Gods #1.

Alpha Gods was originally released for mobile via ROK Comics and is one of a number of comics now being delivered as part of WAP services in India on platforms designed by the same company for Airtel and other mobile networks there.

• Alpha Gods #0 and #1 will be available for download on iPhone/iPod touch soon

• Alpha Gods #0 is available for free in the Android Market. Scan the QR code right with your Android to receive its url.

• Alpha Gods #1 is available in the Android Market. Scan the QR code left with your Android to receive its url.<

Alternatively, search ‘Alpha Gods #0″ on the Market.

Marvel Comics Come to iPhone

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:07:00 +0000

Marvel Comics has just released several titles for iPhone and iTouch through four apps makers: Comics by Comixology, iVerse, Panelfly and Scrollmotion.

We believe this is the first time Marvel has dipped its toes into mobile comic delivery for mobile phone, although the company has recently launched two "motion comics" sold directly via iTunes: Spider-Woman and an adaptation of Dollhouse creator Joss Whedon's Astonishing X-Men.

Marvel, which also recently released a new version of their web-based Digital Comics Reader, announced on Thursday that, effective immediately, several comics will be available for purchase via in-app purchase from the free Comics app.

The Marvel comics available initially from Comixology are Joss Whedon’s 24-issue run on Astonishing X-Men, Robert Kirkman’s five-issue Marvel Zombies miniseries, Ed Brubaker’s first 30 issues of Captain America, and two other X-Men-related books: X-23 and X-Men: Age of Apocalypse, each six issues long.

Panelfly is offering Amazing Spider-Man #1-25; Amazing Spider-Man #519-523; Astonishing X-Men #1-24; Invincible Iron Man #1-16; X-23 #1-6; and X-Men: Age Of Apocalypse #1-6.

iVerse is offering Amazing Spider-Man #519–524; Astonishing X-Men #1–12; Captain America #1–7; Invincible Iron Man #1–6;
X-23 #1–6; and X-Men: Age of Apocalypse #1–6.

We don't yet have details on ScrollMotion's line-up: thehas published a large number of books for the iPhone, including titles by Stephen King and Stephanie Meyer, among many others. The company is set to release a new ereader before Christmas.

• Each individual issue is priced at $1.99 on Comics and iVerse, and 99 cents on Panelfly, the latter's price perhaps a loss leader.

In Review: How to Make WebComics

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:49:00 +0000

The Book: Finally, a book about how to make Web comics from some guys who actually know how to do it.

For years, young, creative men and women have dreamed about making a living from their comic strips. But until recently their only avenue of success was through a syndicate or publisher. Now, more and more cartoonists are doing it on their own and self-publishing their comic strips on the web. With the right amount of work, knowledge and luck, you can be one of them.

Dave Kellet (Sheldoncomics.com), Brad Guigar (Evil Inc), Kris Straub (Starslip Crisis), and Scott Kurtz (PvP) take you on a guided tour of everything you need to know to make, post and profit from your own online comics.

The Review: How To Make WebComics has been out for a while (two years, in fact), but I've had so many people asking me for information on this subject via downthetubes and as the Editor for ROK Comics that I thought it high time I direct would-be creators to the real experts.

While the book skewed more toward US comic creators than international, I'd argue the bulk of How to Make WebComics is relevant not only to web comic creators but all comic creators working in the digital age, especially those thinking about self publishing both online and in print.

Partly tyled in a similar fashion to the "Dummies" HowTos, it not only talks about the editing and creation of comics, with ideas for story creation and plotting, but offers masses of tips and tricks on the practical aspects of creating your comics for web delivery in the first place. More importantly, I felt, were the useful guides on how to promote and sell your comics beyond creating a web site to show off your new creation.

The writers - well experienced in creating their own successful webcomics - pull no punches when it comes to advising on just how much work you need to put into your comic if you really want to gain the success of webcomics such as PVP and others. It's not just talent and great comics that will get you noticed - it's what you do to promote them too, that might just put you on the road to success.

This is a fabulous guide to creating webcomics and should be part of any comic creator's library in our digital age.

The only lack is a chapter on mobile comics creation and distribution (for iPhone, WAP subscription service etc.) but that new element of getting your comics out there is still young, and indeed, even on the book's official web site, there's still not much about creating for these new delivery systems. Perhaps this will be covered in a revised edition or a separate book at some point.

For creators looking for something more about actual comics creation for the web, the ILEX title Webcomics: Tools and Techniques for Digital Cartooning is more detailed, but both books complement each other nicely.

• How to Make WebComics is available from all good bookshops and amazon.co.uk and amazon.com

• WebComics.com, by the books authors, offers regular additional guides to creating and distributing web comics - grab the RSS feed or book mark it now

More Reviews

• Comics Worth Reading

"This is *the* book to read about making webcomics, because the four co-authors are creators of well-known webcomics... who know what they’re talking about. Their works cover the most popular genres of web strips: video games, humor, and science fiction... In almost every chapter I read something valuable that I either hadn’t thought about before — for instance, with restricted text space, you should keep character names short — or knew but wish more people paid attention to — such as the vital importance of sticking to your update schedule."

• ComiXtreme Review by Blake M. Petit

"The guys from Halfpixel Studios have come together to share their combined expertise in what it takes to make a successful webcomic. This easy-to-read volume dishes on practically everything you could want to know about what it takes to make a successful webcomic, and they do it in a way that’s both informative and entertaining."

• Sinister Squid Studios

"It is full of relevant resources, links included, and is written in four ‘voices’ that don’t always necessarily agree with each other all of the time. However, despite their different takes on webcomics and different processes in making them, the one thing they seem to all agree on is that you have to be dedicated, and that you have to love what you do...."

Keith Page Launches New Web Comic

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:37:00 +0000

Commando artist Keith Page, who's also working on a new steampunk comic, Iron Moon, for Spaceship Away, has just started a new web comic, Dennis the Donkey on a dedicated blog entitled "Witchcraft Street".

This is the backstory to his mobile comic strip, Charlotte Corday, published on ROK Comics, revealing just how French resistance fighter, Parisian gangster and occult enthusiast Jean Corday got turned into an invisible crime fighter that looks like a donkey.

"I've drawn the first phase of the story already (54 strips) and will be posting regularly up to around 150 in total," he told downthetubes. "Each strip is one-third of a standard art size."

• You can view the strip here: dennisthedonkey.blogspot.com

• Keith's personal blog, featuring his latest work, is at keithpageukcomicsartist.blogspot.com

• Read a downthetubes interview with Keith here

Kahn, Griepp join Comixology Board

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:38:00 +0000

comiXology, makers of the Comics by comiXology digital comic app for the iPhone, has added comic book industry icon and former president and editor-in-chief of DC Comics Jenette Kahn to its Board of Advisors.

The company has also announced the addition of Milton Griepp, president of pop culture publishing and consulting company ICv2, to the Board of Advisors and Directors.

Both are impressive additions to the company which has been adding several new strips to its iPhone catalogue lately, including David Gallaher and Steve Ellis' Box 13 (as we reported yesterday), as well as developing comiXology.com and related applications including comic book retailer tools, iPhone and Blackberry apps. Their Comics by comiXology app for iPhone and iPod touch (http://itunes.com/apps/Comics) has a much-recommended guided-view, allows for in-app purchasing, and Retailer Locator which enables users to find nearby comic book retailers.

Jenette Kahn was president and editor-in-chief of DC Comics for 27 years and during her tenure championed creators' rights, introduced the Vertigo and Milestone imprints, and published such ground-breaking titles as Ronin, The Dark Knight Returns, Watchmen, V For Vendetta (which began in British anthology title, Warrior), Preacher, Fables and Y The Last Man. She is currently a movie producer and partner in Double Nickel Entertainment, whose most recent film is Gran Turino, directed and starring Clint Eastwood.

She is also holder of the accolade of "Living Legend" from the US Library of Congress, an award selected by the Library's curators and subject specialists to honour artists, writers and others who have made significant contributions to America's diverse cultural, scientific and social heritage. Other holders include Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese.

Milton Griepp has over 30 years of experience in the comics business at all levels (publisher, distributor, retailer), including 15 years at the helm of one of the most successful distributors of comics, entertainment, and licensed products, with over $1 billion worth of pop culture products sold. He is currently the CEO of ICv2, the leading business publisher in the comics, anime, and hobby game businesses.

"I'm excited about comiXology's approach to the business, including its cutting edge technology and its involvement with the direct market comic store, a critical factor in the growth of comics over the last several decades," Griepp said.

"With the additions of Ms. Kahn and Mr. Griepp to our team, we now gain the unique and powerful perspectives of two people who have created value in the comics marketplace," said David Steinberger, CEO of comiXology. "Jenette moved comics into film and mature titles, and Milton has many years of successful industry experience and analysis he brings to the table. I couldn't be more thrilled to work with each of them."

More info: www.comixology.com

Made-for-iPhone comic Box 13 Launches

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:27:00 +0000

Mobile comics company comiXology continues pushing forward digital comics revolution with their first original comic, Box 13, created by Harvey Award and zuda.com winning team of writer David Gallaher and Steve Ellis.

Available for free exclusively on Comics by comiXology, Box 13 is a re-imagining of the popular radio serial of the same name.

It follows the harrowing adventures of author Dan Holiday as he unlocks clues to his past and his very identity. Holliday has spent the last several years of his life researching the secrets behind the MKULTRA project. His latest book has brought him a degree of notoriety around the country and around the world. And, during his recent book tour - Dan discovers something that will change his life forever. Join him as he leans what lurks inside Box 13.

The series will run in seven-page installments weekly for 13 weeks, with the first installment already available. The following 12 chapters will be released on Thursdays, when comiXology traditionally releases all the new releases to the Comics app.

Baltimore-based Gallaher's credits include work for Marvel Interactive, developing textbooks for McGraw-Hill and Sylvan Learning Centers, as well as developing advertising for companies like Verizon. His comics projects include High Moon, published via Zuda Comics, also drawn by Ellis.

Steve Ellis' credits include Tranquility, a hard sci-fi thriller released in 1998 and The Silencers, a critically acclaimed supervillian-mobster mélange. In addition to his personal projects, Steve has co-created and designed comics for just about all of the major comic publishers, including Jezebelle and Crimson Dynamo.

"David and Steve created an innovative and exciting comic at zuda.com with High Moon," said David Steinberger, CEO of comiXology. "They are a perfect choice to explore the possibilities of great storytelling on our platform, too. The first chapter starts with a bang, and we fully expect it to be a reason for people to check in with the app every Thursday, at least for the next 13 weeks!"

Comics by comiXology is the top selling comics app on the iPhone and iPod Touch, with over 350 comics from nearly 30 publishers, including over 60 free to download after the initial $0.99 purchase. Wired.com wrote that "comiXology may have solved the problem of reading comics on the small screen."

• Comics by comiXology on iTunes: http://itunes.com/apps/Comics. The company's website is www.comixology.com.

UK Strip "Alex" on iPhone, iTouch

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:09:00 +0000

Celebrating the first anniversary of the Credit Crunch, Alex, the investment banker we all love to hate, whose strip adventures now appear in the Telegraph, has been brought to new life on the iPhone and iPod touch, in an "all-new" Tapisodes format.

Alex is a much-loved, occasionally hated, cartoon strip by Charles Peattie and Russell Taylor, which first appeared in the short-lived London Daily News in 1987, before moving to The Independent later that year and then to the Daily Telegraph in 1992. The strip is also collected annually.

Billed as the "first (proper) interactive mobile motion comic" for the Apple platform - a blending of comics, animation and tap interaction - 20 animated and interactive Alex strips, each themed around the market crisis, are being rolled out daily, downloaded straight into the Alex app.

“We are excited to bring a new way of experiencing comic books and animation to the world’s most trendsetting mobile platform," says Jörg Tittel of Tapisodes. "We hope to please the legions of Alex fans and introduce thousands more."

Alex - Credit Crunch Special will offer a new episode every business day from today until 23rd October, with each episode downloaded straight into the application at no additional cost. You can choose to receive a “push notification” each time a new episode is available, or browse intuitive thumbnails for downloaded, available and upcoming episodes.

Alex also comes with social networking integration, so you can do what bankers do best: tell friends about your favourite Tapisodes, all in the safety of your iPhone and out of the nosy IT department’s reach.

Alex is only the first of a series of Tapisodes mobile comics. With a patent pending on the technology, the producers have been working with other high profile brands and franchises to create new content.

“We have always embraced other entertainment mediums and therefore are very excited about the opportunities for games companies in interactive storytelling and film," explains Paul Farley, CEO of mobile game developer Tag Games.

"To be able to work with the talented team at Tapisodes on the Alex project was too good an opportunity to miss. We trust this initial collaboration will spawn many more successful titles in the future.”

Tapisodes and Tag Games were brought together through the Play Together program Creative Industry Switch created by TIGA (the trade body which represents the UK videogames industry) and NESTA (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts). Creative Industry Switch is designed to foster communication and collaboration between the videogames industry and other UK creative industries such as film, TV, radio and animation.

“The Play Together initiatives were created to provide a forum for the UK’s creative minds to meet, exchange ideas and get commercial projects off the ground," explains Lorna Evans, Project Manager of Play Together for TIGA and NESTA. "We believe this is fundamental to the continued success of the UK’s creative industries.”

“This is exactly the sort of commercial collaboration between video games developers and other complementary media providers that we had hoped the Play Together initiative would achieve," argues Jackie McKenzie of NESTA.

• The ALEX iPhone application is available for download from the Apple iTunes App Store at a cost of £0.59, with 20 animated, interactive tapisodes gradually made available for download - straight into the app and at no extra cost. Recession proof, it does however requires the iPhone 3.0 Software Update or later.

Yon Kuma Webcomic Smashes onto iPhone!

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 09:22:00 +0000

The first two issues of Yon Kuma are now available on the iTunes marketplace for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Published by Robot Comics and bundled with the new iRobot Comics Viewer, “Yon Kuma” means “Four Bears”, and is an all-out action-packed extravaganza pitting one upstart young bear wrestler against the Four Great Bears!

Get ready for eight issues of intense Bear Wrasslin’ action on your iPhone by writer Josh Hechinger (Comic Book Tattoo, The Grave Doug Freshley) and artist Jorge F. Muñoz.

Driven by a tragic back-story involving ice-cream, 12-year-old Bunyan Paulson quests to defeat the Yon Kuma, the Four Great Bears a wrestler has to beat in order to become the greatest. Yes, Yon Kuma is basically an excuse to write and draw fight scenes involving a kid beating the tar out of huge bears.

• Yon Kuma #1 is available for download on the following platforms:

• iPhone/iPod touch: Click here the button below to open Yon Kuma #1 on the iTunes App Store. Requires iTunes.

Android: Yon Kuma #1 is available for free in the Android Market. Scan the QR code right with your Android to receive its url. Alternatively, search “Yon Kuma” on the Market.

• For more information on the mobile versions of Yon Kuma, please visit www.robotcomics.net/tag/yonkuma

• To read the webcomic online, please visit www.yonkuma.com

Cutting Off Suspected File Sharers Heavy-Handed, says Which?

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:19:00 +0000

Responding to yesterday's news to the British Government’s announcement that it would cut off people suspected of illegal file sharing from the internet see news story), Sarah Kidner, editor of Which? Computing has described the proposal as unfair and heavy handed.

"To cut off innocent customers without indisputable proof is blatantly unfair and extremely heavy-handed," she commented. "We've received hundreds of letters from people who claim to have been wrongfully accused of file sharing. They’re fighting to prove their innocence with the threat of court action hanging over them unless they pay compensation of up to £665 in some cases.

Which? is the leading independent consumer champion in the UK, providing impartial, expert information on products and services in its magazines, books and online to help consumers make more informed choices.

“We favour the original Government proposal to tackle illegal file sharing by sending warning letters before technical measures are imposed," Kidner added. "So in Which?’s response to the Digital Britain report, we will urge the government to first establish a rigorous and reliable method for identifying illegal file sharers before taking action.”

Comic Piracy on the Net: New Clamp Down Plans Announced

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:55:00 +0000

British fans sharing e-versions of comics via the Internet could soon come under the spotlight of anti-piracy organisations, after the government announced further measures to tackle digital piracy, mid-way through the consultation period on its Digital Britain report.

The Guardian reports that these include cutting internet connections for persistent offenders who share film, music and book files - which would, we assume, include comics - on a peer-to-peer basis.

This measure is unexpected as it was ruled out in the final Digital Britain report which was released in June, for "going too far".

In the report, the then communications minister Lord Carter said illegal filesharers should receive letters warning them their activities could leave them open to prosecution. If that failed to reduce piracy by at least 70%, Ofcom would have the power to call on internet companies such as BT to introduce so-called "technical measures" to combat piracy. The most draconian of these measures was to slow down a persistent filesharer's broadband connection, but it would not appear until 2012.

Now, the Guardian reports, the government is proposing illegal filesharers will still get warning letters but if they continue to swap copyrighted material they could have their internet connection temporarily severed, although it may be possible to retain basic access to online public services.

It is also expected that the government will give power to target illegal downloaders to ministers, rather than Ofcom, "to speed up the process".

The Guardian quotes a draft of the new plan as saying: "The previous proposals, whilst robust, would take an unacceptable amount of time to complete in a situation that calls for urgent action."

France recently tried to introduce similar measures but they were ultimately thrown out by its high court as unconstitutional. In the UK, privacy groups are likely to challenge any similar legislation as contrary to human rights law.

Comics piracy is a major concern to both large and small publishers, although it has also, fans argue, helped comics fans 'sample' new titles (the try before you buy argument) and enabled the dissemination of vintage comics material, much of it unlikely to ever be published in print due to licensing issues and limited appeal.

Unfortunately, many of those efforts by fans to raise the profile of vintage material are being exploited by pirates who then collect such scans and re-sell them as illegal digital collections on eBay. The BBC, for example, is aware of illegal sales of fan collections of digital scans of classic Doctor Who material from comics such as TV Comic and Countdown.

While several programs have been created to read digital comics on screen there is, currently, no legal Internet equivalent of iTunes for digital comics. However, as we regularly report here, many comics are being re-formatted for presentation on devices such as the iPhone, Android and other devices.

More Web Links

• Digital Britain Report

• Digital Britain Forum

Discussion site aimed at encouraging an online debate about the issues raised in the Digital Britain Report.

Comics for Sony: Marvel , IDW sign up

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:24:00 +0000

Sony have announced that a brand new digital reader will be released on the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) this December.

NetworkWorld reorts on the announcemnet, made at a GamesCom press conference in Cologne earlier this week, reporting users will be able to download and read comics on the portable console.

While there aren't many details on the reader's content, it was revealed that US publishers Marvel and IDW - the latter already investing heavily in mobile comics - will be releasing digital comic books for this new service.

Marvel's VP of Digital Global Marketing Ira Rubenstein told GamesCom "hundreds" of Marvel comics for the new service.

• Read the NetworkWorld news story

Robot Comics brings Terror to iPhone

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 07:50:00 +0000

Continuing an impressive rollout of comics titles for the iPhone and Kindle that includes Kidd Millennium, the unofficial heir to R.F. Outcault’s 19th century newspaper comic sensation, The Yellow Kid, Robot Comics has announced the release of Issues #1 and 2 of American Terror via Apple iTunes store.

Published by Robot Comics and bundled with the new iRobot Comics Viewer, Issue #1 is being offered for free download with Issue #2 available at $0.99.

Issue #3, which will conclude the first volume, is to be released shortly.

Created by Jeff McConsey and James Comsey, originally published by Alterna Comics, the critically-acclaimed American Terror is adapted by Robot Comics to create a version specifically formatted for mobile devices.

Set in 2041, it's a story of a future where nobody celebrates America's Veteran’s Day anymore. Victor Sheppard is an old man in a new world. He remembers a time prior to the War of the Third World, when cops still carried guns and there was a ghetto in every city. A new age of peace and equality has begun, but it didn’t come cheap. Millions of people died and the world is a better place, but nobody remembers why.

Haunted by his dead comrades, Victor decides to do the one thing he thought he’d never do: Spill his guts...

• American Terror is available for iPhone and iTouch via iTunes and for Android mobiles via Android Market

• Download #1 Free for iPhone/iPod touch

• Download #1 Free for Android: simply scan the QR code below with your Android to download American Terror #1 from the Android Market. Alternatively, search ‘American Terror’ on the Android Market.

Amazon, Uclick, Launch International Comic Strip Superstar Competition!

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:48:00 +0000

Amazon.com and Andrews McMeel Universal have announced the launch of the first Comic Strip Superstar, the international competition in search of the next popular comic strip artist.

The winner will receive a publishing contract from Andrews McMeel Publishing, a $5,000 advance from mobile comics publisher Universal Uclick and a monthly stipend for the development of 20 comic strips that will be considered for syndication.

"As the nation's premier humour publisher in newspapers, books, mobile phones and online, Andrews McMeel Universal is uniquely suited to bring this comic strip contest to the public,” said Hugh T. Andrews, executive vice president of Andrews McMeel Universal.

“We are excited by the opportunity this contest provides to continue our mission to seek, recognize and celebrate remarkable creative talent, and to share it with an appreciative and enthusiastic audience through a variety of distribution channels.”

Up to 5,000 entries will be accepted for the competition at www.amazon.com/comicstripsuperstar until 12th September 2009.

Each entry should be original, unpublished work consisting of 10 daily comic strips and two Sunday comics, a title and a brief synopsis. From the submissions, Universal Uclick will narrow the entries down to 250 quarterfinalists.

The quarterfinalists will then be narrowed down to 50 semifinalists by John Glynn and Lee Salem, seasoned Universal Uclick editors. In the semifinal round, popular comic strip creators Garry Trudeau (crator of Doonesbury), Lynn Johnston (For Better or For Worse), Scott Hilburn (The Argyle Sweater) and Mark Tatulli (Lió and Heart of the City) will choose 10 finalists and post feedback for each on Amazon.com. Amazon.com customers will then have the opportunity to view the finalists’ submissions and vote for the grand prize winner.

“We know Amazon customers are extremely creative and enjoy discovering new talent. This competition gives them the opportunity to discover great new comic strip artists, while having a few laughs along the way,” said Jeff Belle, vice president of US Books, Amazon.com.

The winner will be announced 9th November 2009, and will receive a prize package from Andrews McMeel Universal which includes a publishing contract with Andrews McMeel Publishing and a newspaper syndication development deal and contract for distribution on GoComics.com desktop and mobile applications from Universal Uclick.

• The competition is open to legal residents of the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada (excluding the Province of Québec), China, Denmark, Finland, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States (the 50 states and D.C.), and the United Kingdom, who are 13 years or older at time of entry.

• For complete terms and conditions on the Comic Strip Superstars competition, visit www.amazon.com/comicstripsuperstar.

eigoMANGA Announces iPhone Comic App

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:46:00 +0000

eigoMANGA and Iconology Inc. have announced that eigoMANGA's comic titles are now available for the iPhone via the Comics by comiXology App, which is available on the iTunes Store.

The Comics by comiXology App is a digital comic store, library and reader for iPhone and iPod touch featuring Original English Language (OEL) manga from eigoMANGA in addition to over 100 titles available from twenty popular comic publishers and independent comic writers.

"The stunning display and innovative multi-touch user interface of iPhone and iPod touch have finally made comics appealing in a digital format," explained David Steinberger, CEO of Iconology, Inc. "By combining great comics with iPhone OS 3.0’s In-App Purchasing and location awareness features we are creating a revolution in the way comics are sold and read which could only happen with iPhone and iPod touch.

As we previously reported, Comics by comiXology offers a 'guided view' that keeps the entire page of a comic intact, unlike other solutions where the page is cut into individual pictures the user browses like a photo application. Comics by comiXology is a reader app that contains all a user’s comics and offers its own digital comics store that supports many eigoMANGA comic titles.

• The Comics by comiXology App is now available, including free eigoMANGA comic titles from the Rumble Pak and Sakura Pakk series, for $0.99 from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.

Digital Comics: Your Views Wanted

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 07:47:00 +0000

British student Daniel Boswell is conducting a brief survey into about online/digital comics reading practices and illegal downloads, to get a sense of public feedback on these trends.

The research is for a dissertation into mobile comics and feedback from both comic creators and readers would be much appreciated.

• Click Here to take Dan's survey

FindComicApps Site Launched

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 07:13:00 +0000

A new website, findcomicapps.com, offering a guide to the increasing number of digital comic applications for iPhone has been launched recently.

It's no secret that the App Store can be overwhelming and titles get buried with no way for users stay updated. The creators of this site - who, we will note straight away, seem to want to be rather anonymous, which is odd, but the sites' content is genuine and informative, hence this post - wanted to find a way to aggregate the mobile comics community into one place where consumers can go to find out what comic books are available on mobile platforms.

The website is dedicated solely to the advancement of all mobile comic applications, and the creators say they plan feature new releases every week from all developers across all platforms.

Included is a quick appraisal of every comic iphone app in a useful directory, including iVerse, Crispy Comics, Dark Horse, IDW, Robot Comics, ROK Comics and others. The guide doesn't include a link to the provider's own web sites but does have direct links to their apps and comics on the iTunes store.

The site has only just launched, but it's a handy service which with dedication is sure to grow. Check it out at: findcomicapps.com

The Dark Trailer Debuts

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:29:00 +0000

Here's the trailer for Chris Lynch's new cybberpunk/superhero comic The Dark, which is being published by Markosia (see news story). Written by Chris and with art by Rick Lundeen, it will be released later this month as an iTunes application and as an original graphic novel. More info from www.thedarkcomicbook.com

comiXology iPhone App Tops Book Apps Poll

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:39:00 +0000

The new Comics by comiXology App has reached the #1 rank among book apps in the iTunes store. The app offers over 100 comic titles for download through in-app purchasing, and uses the location awareness feature to help fans locate nearby comic stores where they can also buy printed copies.

Launched during the San Diego Comic-Con late last month, the Comics by comiXology App is a digital comic store, library and reader for iPhone and iPod touch that is launching with over 100 titles available from 20 popular comic publishers and many independent comic writers. ICV2.com notes that the App offers a “guided view” that keeps the entire page of a comic intact, unlike other solutions where the page is cut into individual pictures the user browses like a photo application.

"The stunning display and innovative multi-touch user interface of iPhone and iPod touch have finally made comics appealing in a digital format," said David Steinberger, CEO of Iconology, Inc. "By combining great comics with iPhone OS 3.0's In-App Purchasing and location awareness features we are creating a revolution in the way comics are sold and read which could only happen with iPhone and iPod touch."

With the Comics by comiXology app, comic book enthusiasts can not only read their comics in a format designed to preserve the comic book experience on an iPhone or iPod touch, but, in a bid to further monetize the release, you can also locate and connect with local retailers to purchase the printed version of the titles.

Through relationships with comic book retailers, Comics by comiXology will, say gthe publishers, increase both digital and print sales of comics and deliver a powerful mobile marketing tool for comic book publishers and retailers.

Comics by comiXology "guided view" display keeps the entire page of a comic intact, unlike other solutions where the page is cut into individual pictures the user browses like a photo application. Comics by comiXology also contains all of a user's comics and offers its own digital comics store that supports multiple publishers.

Among the 20 publishers that have already signed up to deliver their titles through Comics by comiXology are many well-known industry icons including British publishers Com.X and Markosia, AdHouse Books, Arcana Comics, Asylum Press, Bluewater Comics, , Creative Impulse Entertainment, Digital Webbing, eigoMANGA, Evil Twin Comics, First Salvo, Image Comics (including Active Images, Allred, Kirkman, Wagner, Brunswick, Revel and more), Moonstone, Red 5, Slave Labor Graphics, Th3rd World Studios and Zenescope.

Popular comics writer Robert Kirkman has also agreed to deliver his titles exclusively through Comics by comiXology making it the only place to get Walking Dead and Invincible for iPhone and iPod touch.

• The Comics by comiXology App is now available, including over 30 free comics, for $0.99 from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore, or follow this direct iTunes download link

Mobile Manga Sales Jump

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:47:00 +0000

Could mobile comics be a saviour for manga? While print comic sales in Japan are far from in freefall like some in the west they have dropped over the past decade. Now, the New York Times reports that direct-to-cell sales of manga have jumped up 43-per cent from last year -- a significant jump in and of itself, but even more impressive given the cell phone manga market's typical slow yearly growth.

For a variety of reasons, the mobile version has manga booming again, the Times reports. In the year ending in March, Japanese manga publishers raked in ¥32.9 billion in revenue, up 43 per cent from the previous year and from next to nothing in 2003, when manga first became available by cellphone, according to Impress R&D, a research company in Tokyo, which published the data at the annual Tokyo International Book Fair in July.

Mobile comics have are popular in Japan for a number of reasons, not least of which being fast cellular networks, good prices and convenient payment processes plus a range of great mobile devices to view comics on.

Like manga comic creators, many of these new manga readers are also women, who are devouring female-skewed shojo manga with its themes of love, romance, and, sometimes, explicit sexual content with relish.

Women who do not want to be seen reading these titles in public places like the train helped create the market for manga on the cellphone, which accords them privacy in ways that magazines and books do not, the Times claims. (Of course, reading manga on a Japanese commuter train often isn't easy, either: as this 2007 article notes, fans sometimes have to read their comic with it perched over their head, they often get so crowded, so you can see the appeal of reading on a mobile!)

Men, on the other hand, have overall been sticking with paper manga due to the lost formatting and panel design when shrinking a manga page onto a phone's screen.

Publishers would not reveal publicly what percentage of their revenue came from mobile manga, but privately, many said about 10 per cent, with mobile sales fast gaining on paper sales. So far, it is unclear whether the mobile sales will make up for lost revenue from print sales, down to ¥448 billion in 2008 from the peak of ¥586 billion in 1995, according to the Research Institute for Publication in Tokyo.

Tablet Comic Reader from Apple?

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:53:00 +0000

You can already get comics on iPhone, but what about a bigger 'comic reader' from Apple in time for Christmas?

Various web sites, including IT Pro, are reporting rumours that the cash rich Mac makers may soon be launching a 'tablet' computer, prompted by a report in the Financial Times suggested the tablet computer would tie in with plans to sell albums, as part of a new deal with record labels. (Apple has partnered with EMI, Warner Music, Sony and Universal Music on a new project, codenamed 'Cocktail', to develop a new digital album format embedding interactive extras with the music, which would include videos, photos, lyrics and songs not otherwise available).

The device itself would have a 10-inch screen, the anonymous source said, and would likely connect to the internet in the same way the iPod Touch does, the FT suggested.

Stan Lee's All-New Stripperella on iPhone

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 07:01:00 +0000

Legendary comic book creator Stan Lee, partnered with Universal Uclick, has announced an all-new version of one of his most sizzling creations, sexy comic book heroine, Stripperella.

The scantily-clad adventurer stars in an original four-volume comic book series written by Lee with art by Anthony Winn is available now as a direct-to-iPhone release on Apple's App Store.

Exotica Jones, the new incarnation of the motorcycle-riding exotic dancer who fights crime as Stripperella, makes her eye-popping debut in this all-new made-for-mobile comic book series.

"Some people think Stripperella is merely a far-out fantasy featuring a torrid, whistle-bait pin-up," said Lee. "But thoughtful readers look beneath Stripperella's frivolous façade and recognize a scholarly, psychological analysis of today's complex male/female relationships with cogent commentary within the sophisticated subtext. Congratulations to Universal Uclick and POW! for Stripperella, the perfect cerebral companion for the thinking man."

"Stripperella is an eye-catching super heroine, and comic fans will appreciate that Stan Lee, master comics craftsman that he is, has injected this series with a madcap spirit that makes it a thoroughly entertaining read," said Universal Uclick President and Editor Lee Salem. "This mature-audiences series - available exclusively in the App Store - is uncommonly, unabashedly, undeniably fun. It's exactly the kind of all-out entertainment fans have come to expect from the most well-known innovator in comics."

Longtime fans of the cheeky heroine will note that POW! Entertainment has updated the character's original design from the adult-oriented cartoon series that marked Stripperella's worldwide cable television debut in 2003. But while she sports a new look, iPhone and iPod Touch users can rest assured that the famous curves, tongue-in-cheek humour and "bombshell" status that made Stripperella stand out from the pack remain perfectly intact.

"We started by repurposing print comics for the iPhone. It has always been our intention to bring original content, created exclusively for mobile consumption, to the marketplace," explains Salem.

• To get Stripperella and other favorite comic books, graphic novels, webcomics and manga for the iPhone and iPod touch go to www.StripperellaApp.com or visit the App Store on the iPhone or on iTunes.

The Dark Goes Digital...

noreply@blogger.com (John Freeman) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:54:00 +0000

British indie publisher Markosia Enterprises have teamed up with Chris Lynch (Monkeys with Machineguns, Photonic Graffiti) and Rick Lundeen (100 Covers, Epoch) to publish The Dark -- a four-issue, cyberpunk-styled comic series.

The first issue of The Dark will be released in August as a digital comic book via iTunes, with three more issues in the pipeline. A graphic novel is planned for later in the year.

With nods toward the novels of authors such as Neal Stephenson and William Gibson, and films such as The Matrix, The Dark is the story of Daniel Abbot, a brilliant young scientist on the fringes of the establishment and the creator of Memetech - a technology that encodes information and memories into a liquid form, allowing anyone to “drink” the information. Terrified that his invention will be used for military purposes he decides to destroy his research, but not before he takes one last trip... with disastrous results.

Two years on, and the Memetech genie is out of the bottle. Abbot, having perfected his own version of the technology, fights a one-man war against the spread of his own invention and the collapse of our information culture in the guise of “The Dark”. Aided by an artificial intelligence nicknamed Howard Hughes, Abbott creates “The Baffler” – a coat made of Memetech that gives his the edge over his enemies. Capable of injecting information directly into this brain and firing Memetech flechettes to hit others with bursts of pure information, The Baffler is both weapon and disguise in Daniel Abbot's war against his own creation.

When The Dark uncovers a plot to set off Memetech bombs across the whole of the city Dante, filling the air with liquid information and creating a new society of his enemy's devising, he's plunged into a desperate race against time. But, not everything is what is seems. Who is the new and mysterious enemy who seems to know The Dark's every move? How did the Memetech, thought destroyed, reappear? Why can't Daniel wake his wife and son? And why is everyone in Dante named after an English poet?

Markosia kindly sent us an advance copy of the first issue and we're pleased to report it's some of Chris Lynch's best work to date, complemented by some suitably moody art from Lundeen. The story is complex but well realized, with plenty to get you thinking and wondering just what will happen next.

"I've been a big fan of Chris Lynch for a while now," says publisher Harry Markos on securing the property for Markosia, "and asked him to pitch a couple of new projects that we could look at for the digital market, with a view to releasing it as a graphic novel later.

"He's come up trumps with The Dark. Coupled with Rick’s fantastically atmospheric art, Chris’s story takes you to a very believable but disturbing world, not unlike the one we are living in at the moment! I am confident that we have a hit in the making."

• There's a free 8-page preview at www.thedarkcomicbook.com