Opportunities for online digital comics

Last week, I wrote about the recent price hikes from Marvel. I see three outcomes from Marvel's price hikes with DC likely to follow suit.

Although I much prefer the monthly pamphlets, there are irrefutable advantages to waiting for the graphic novel. They're cheaper and can be ordered from Amazon. You can wait for reviews by bloggers or peers. In the early 90s, I spent way too much of my allowance on comic books that I didn't enjoy. The internet now allows us to be much more informed consumers.

Finally, thanks to many librarians across the country, you can also check out graphic novels from the library. It's truly amazing how quickly comics are shelved in my local library. Kudos to the librarians.

Kidjutsu is just one of many options for reading digital comics online. There are a number of very successful webcomics that have grown into successful businesses. Check out Penny Arcade and Girl Genius just to name a few. Webcomics are free to readers. They support themselves using merchandising and online advertising. A lot of the comics on Kidjutsu are also webcomics with merchandising strategies. For example, Sarah Ellerton, creator of Inverloch and Phoenix Requiem is accepting pre-orders of a limited edition Jonas statue for her Phoenix Requiem fans.

Even Marvel and DC are bringing comics to the web with their respective Digital Comics Unlimited and Zuda Comics projects. Marvel is spending $10M over the next few years to bulk out their digital offerings. Dark Horse has also partnered with Myspace with their Dark Horse Presents project.

In the 90s, there was a local comic store every 1/2 mile in Brooklyn. Now there's only a handful. Price hikes in a deep recession will drive some consumers away. They'll substitute monthly comics with digital comics or other forms of entertainment. My best advice for the LCS is to focus on selling the total experience. Figure out a way to improve conversions for higher margin merchandise.