comics
Latest
DC Universe starts streaming on Xbox One this month
DC Universe hasn't been available on consoles so far, but the comic-oriented service is taking care of that omission in very short order. As of April (possibly as soon as April 15th), DC Universe will be available on Xbox One -- you could play a round of Injustice and watch a Batman movie immediately afterward. The functionality is the same as in earlier apps, complementing the videos with DC's comic book library, community features, merch and news.
DC Universe offers access to DC's full library of digital comics
You'd have thought that DC Universe would provide full access to every DC comic, but not so -- even after an expansion, you've had to sift through a "curated" selection. Your options are about to expand, thankfully. As of April, DC Universe will provide full access to DC's digital comic library in April. Any given issue will have to be at least a year old, but you'll get to read comics dating back 80 years. while the company didn't put out a full list, you'll likely have the chance to flip through early Action Comics and Detective Comics issues. The pricing won't change, DC said.
DC Universe celebrates Batman's birthday with free access March 30th
Batman is about to celebrate his 80th 'birthday' (his first appearance in Detective Comics) on March 30th, and DC Universe is using that as an opportunity to hand out more freebies. The service is providing free access to a wide swath of its Batman movies, TV shows and (of course) comics for 24 hours that day, starting at midnight ET. It doesn't include everything -- most notably, Christopher Nolan's movies still aren't an option. However, you'll still have access to quite a large chunk of the Dark Knight's catalog.
Marvel is reportedly making a 'What If' animated series for Disney+
What if Captain America was elected President? What if Spider Man had joined the Fantastic Four? What if those and other What If plots came to TV? According to Slashfilm, Marvel Studios wants to adapt the popular What If comic books into an animated series to stream on Disney+.
The Switch adds another comic book reader in Izneo
The Switch hasn't quite lived up to its tablet potential due to a severe lack of software outside of games, but it's surprisingly found a groove as a comic book e-reader. It's all thanks to Inky Pen -- a comic subscription that's currently exclusive to Switch -- and now Izneo, an app that specializes in graphic novels, Manga and Korean webtoons. It's already available on iOS and Android and (after a slight delay) arrives on Nintendo's console today, bringing with it a library of 25,000 comic books.
DC Universe's expanded comic book catalog includes 'Wonder Woman'
DC Universe only has so many original shows to go around, and that means you'll need something else to do if you're going to justify that subscription. Thankfully, more is on the way. The service has unveiled the first major expansion of its comic book collection since launch, and it's vowing to "more than double" the size of the catalog by the end of March. It's not dumping obscure titles, either -- these are frequently comics aficionados will know.
Netflix is turning Mark Millar comic 'Reborn' into a feature film
Netflix isn't done announcing movies that stem from its acquisition of Millarworld. The internet giant has unveiled plans for a feature-length film based on Reborn, a fantasy comic series from Mark Millar and Greg Capullo. The story centers on Bonnie Black, a woman who learns first-hand that people go to a land of "monsters and dragons" when they die -- and realizes that her late husband is mysteriously absent. It's too early for a release schedule or cast, but Netflix already has some major personalities attached to the production.
DC Universe starts streaming on Amazon's Fire TV
DC Universe just closed a glaring gap in its device support. The comic-based streaming service is now available through Amazon's Fire TV devices, giving you another way (and in some cases, a cheap way) to catch up on Titans in the living room. It's best-suited to video, of course, but DC and Warner Bros also say that you can read comics, shop and socialize while you're lounging on the couch. A subscription will still cost you $8 per month or $75 per year.
Switch-only 'Netflix for comics' launches December 17th
You might not turn to your game console to read comics, but InkyPen is determined to change that. It's launching a comic subscription on December 17th that's arriving first for the Nintendo Switch. It will offer "thousands" of indie comics and webcomics (and eventually manga) on the hybrid console for a $8 flat rate (€8 in Europe). The initial service is focused on English readers, but "almost all" of the catalog is available worldwide.
Comixify uses machine learning to turn video into comics
Tons of comic books have come to life as movies, but researchers at the Warsaw University of Technology have developed a system for turning live-action video into a comic. Comixify picks out the best frames from any video you feed it and turns it into something that looks like it belongs in the pages of a comic.
'Avengers: Infinity War' comes to Netflix on Christmas Day
Ever since the premiere of Avengers: Infinity War, there's been a looming question: when is it coming to Netflix? Right in time for some holiday viewing, it seems. Netflix has revealed that the star-studded superhero flick will be available to stream on December 25th. Yes, you too can pay tribute to Stan Lee while you're recovering from the family feast. Just be sure to put your blinders on if you haven't seen the movie yet -- this is a Marvel title that can easily be ruined if you're not careful.
Marvel legend Stan Lee dies at 95
Pop culture is in a state of mourning today. Stan Lee, the famous Marvel publisher, editor and writer, has died at the age of 95 after a spate of illnesses over the past year. To say that he had a significant impact on the media world would be an understatement -- the franchises he created (and helped create) are virtually ubiquitous in modern society, including in the digital realm.
'Dream Daddy' comic revisits the world of the popular dating sim
Fans of Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator now have a whole new way to experience the Dream Daddy universe as Oni Press is publishing a series of comic books based on the sim. From developer Game Grumps, Dream Daddy has players assume the role of a single dad who has moved to the town of Maple Bay with his daughter. He then meets and romances a number of other single dads in the town. The comic series will consist of five issues, each of which will focus on different Maple Bay dads, and the first issue is already available.
Magic Leap signs content deal with comics giant Grant Morrison
Magic Leap has teamed up with Scotland-based Square Slice Studios, which was co-founded by comic book industry veteran Grant Morrison, to create content for its mixed reality headset. You might know the prolific writer for his work with Batman and All-Star Superman, as well as for creating the boundary-pushing sci-fi comics The Invisibles, among many other things. The studio will conjure up interactive experiences for the headset, though it has yet to reveal their exact nature. While we can probably expect some interactive comics, it's worth noting that Morrison co-founded the company with a number of other creatives, including Grand Theft Auto artist Stewart Waterson.
eBay starts selling discounted digital comic bundles
eBay is one of the go-to places for collectibles and old comic book titles, but now you can also make it a habit to check the website if you're looking for some sweet digital comic deals. The e-commerce platform has teamed up with Madefire to give shoppers access to deeply discounted digital comics and Motion Books. If you haven't heard of the latter yet, they're the media company's immersive titles with sounds and moving components -- sort of like a limited animation cartoon. eBay will list bundles for sale under its Deals section, and they'll only be available for a limited time. You can only buy the current offerings, which include DC's Injustice Years 1 and 2 (Motion Books) and the newest Archie Comics, today, June 29th.
DC's comic streaming service beta launches August 2018
After a seemingly never-ending series of teases, DC is ready to formally unveil its comic book-themed streaming service... most of it, anyway. DC Universe is now official, and will launch beta access this August with a wider debut in the fall. It'll be available on the web, Android and iOS as well as living room platforms like Android TV, Apple TV and Roku. There's still no mention of pricing, but you'll at least know what to expect when the service goes live.
Superhero epic 'Invincible' heads to Amazon as an animated series
Amazon Studios has greenlit an animated series based on the comic Invincible, which was created by artist Cory Walker and writer Robert Kirkman, who made The Walking Dead. The new show's source material tells the story of Mark Grayson, an ordinary teen whose father is the planet's Superman-like guardian. When Mark manifests powers himself, he discovers what it means to be a superhero -- with a twist that switches up the classic alien-becomes-Earth's-protector story.
Dark Horse's ‘Stranger Things’ comics chronicle Will's journey
There will soon be quite a few ways for you to experience the world of Stranger Things, as books, a video game and now a line of comics are all in the works. Entertainment Weekly announced today that Netflix has teamed up with Dark Horse for the new comics, the first series of which is scheduled to launch in September. "Dark Horse is known for championing stories and storytellers," Dark Horse President Mike Richardson said in a statement. "We are so excited to work with Netflix to bring the world of Stranger Things to comics."
A DC-themed Snapchat Lens could get you into Comic-Con
You're not completely hosed if you missed your chance to attend San Diego Comic-Con... if you're willing to dabble in some augmented reality art. Snap and DC Comics have launched a DC Super Heroes Challenge that asks you to create a DC-themed Lens championing Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman for the chance to win an expenses-paid trip to San Diego Comic-Con in July. You don't have to start completely from scratch, thankfully, as there's a load of DC assets to bring into Lens Studio.
DC's streaming service has a name and a new show
DC's streaming service is no longer quite so mysterious. The unlimited video offering is now called DC Universe (not to be confused with the DC Extended Universe), and has a landing page to whet your appetite. There's a new show to go alongside the announcement, as well -- DC has unveiled Swamp Thing, an adaptation of the classic comic series. This version has CDC researcher Abby Arcane studying a swamp virus in Louisiana and falling in love with fellow scientist Alec Holland, only to 'lose' him. Needless to say, he isn't really gone -- and he's key to fending off "powerful forces" that want to use the swamp for nefarious ends. It premieres sometime in 2019.
