Broken Frontier

Industry giant Marvel Comics has launched their popular characters and their adventures into the digital realm. Marvel.com is to be host to online versions of classic and current tales of Spider-Man, the Hulk, X-Men, and more. Stories from throughout the company’s long history will be translated into a form that can be viewed right off the fan-favorite website.

“There are two audiences that we're trying to reach,” observes Peter Olson, Creative Director, Online for Marvel Entertainment. “For people who have only been exposed to our products through movies and TV, we want to use this as a vehicle for introducing them to comics as a medium.  For our long-time fans we feel it'll be a good way to check out titles they aren't familiar with and also to catch up with our archives.
“I'm working on a classic X-MEN run right now, actually,” he says, with the gleam of a true fanboy in his eye.
Although a black and white version of a Nextwave digital comic was shown to a select group of the press, there are no plans to make the digital version of this comic available to the general public.  Nextwave #1 (Diamond code: NOV051973) will be available in local comic shops on 1/25/06.
Marvel is truly excited about the launching, especially concerning the technology being utilized. Every effort is being made to make online comics viewing a joy for the fan. “The reader is extremely flexible,” says Olson. “It allows the user multiple ways of
going through an issue, including a very innovative ‘smart panel’ mode that allows the reader to focus on the book one panel at a time.  It provides convenience for the user as they can read their favorite comics from any computer with an Internet connection.”
John Dokes, Marvel Director of Marketing and Business Development, is understandably proud of this new venture, as well as eager to receive feedback on its operation. “Offering Marvel’s characters and stories in a new way such as this is something we’re very passionate about. We believe that there’s a large percentage of comics fans that will simply love to view our comics online and we hope we can all work together to make this as pleasurable and successful an operation as humanly possible.”
“The thought that classic Marvel tales and their current counterparts are being translated into the digital realm is as exciting as it is comforting. They’ll be preserved and strengthened for future generations.”
As this new feature of Marvel.com ramps up, the posting of stories will increase. “We'll be adding several new issues every week. Eventually it'll be up to one new issue every week day.” Dokes points out. 
To view the newly launched Digital Comics, visit http://www.marvel.com/digitalcomics/catalog/catalog.htm