I noticed this evening that DC are offering the first issue of a range of their Vertigo titles for free download in PDF format.
Once again I’m left hoping that this is a sign of things to come. I’m fairly certain that this is just a marketing stunt, the same as the frequent 50p issues that we see in comic shops to attract interest to a comic line. By giving away the first issue of an established series in a convenient to consume form DC will likely attract new readers by hooking them on the stories and characters.
Still, I can’t help but think back to my post in December where I mused:
“Perhaps DC will try to beat Marvels offering by allowing download of their comics? I think this would be enough to encourage Marvel to rethink their strategy, I wait for DC’s offering with bated breath.”
My breath is still bated and I hope that if DC see significant interest from readers in these PDF first issues that they will look more seriously into digital versions of all their comics.
Perhaps I should pen a letter?