DC selling digital comics through Apple, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

By Ben Fritz

Nov. 7, 2012 12 AM PT

In a move that could provide a boost to the small but growing digital comic book business, DC Comics has signed deals to sell comics through online stores owned by Apple, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Previously, comic book readers could only buy digital copies of issues to read on tablets or other digital devices through DC’s own app, or an application controlled by the company ComiXology.

While graphic novels have previously been available to buy for digital devices through a variety of stores, DC is the first company to offer single comic book issues through Apple’s iBookstore, Amazon’s Kindle Store and Barnes & Noble’s Nook Book Store.

The agreements mean readers can, starting on Wednesday, get copies of comic books such as Superman, Batman, and the Justice League from the digital stores that come built-in to the the iPad, Kindle and Nook.

Growing sales of digital comic books is critical for Warner Bros.-owned DC, its major competitor Marvel (owned by Walt Disney Co.), and smaller publishers as sales of print comic books are in the midst of a long-term decline.

In September 2011, DC began selling digital copies of its comic books on the same day as print issues as part of a relaunch of its line called the New 52.

So far this year, DC’s digital comic book sales are up 197% compared with the same period in 2011. Thanks to the New 52 launch, print comic book sales are up 12%, providing at least a temporary reprieve to the long-running drop-off in comic books printed on paper.

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