DC Comics made a few people angry recently when they decided to make an exclusive deal with Amazon for over 100 of their digital comics to be available on the new Kindle Fire. Barnes & Noble notably took offense to such a decision and pulled DC graphic novels from their physical store shelves. Books-a-Million followed soon after. Well now it seems as if the publisher is backtracking a bit to quell this particular fire. They’ve told the New York Times the exclusivity is not quite as exclusive as they first claimed.
According to the NY Times, “In online comics forums and other places where the issue is being debated, everyone is unhappy with someone. Amazon is being accused by some of throwing its considerable weight around to the detriment of readers and the larger culture. DC Comics is being criticized by others of placing greed over its fans. Barnes & Noble is alternatively being accused of throwing its own weight around and of cutting off its nose to spite its face. Even the comics’ writers are getting some heat.”
Co-Publisher Jim Lee said, “We say to our fans, have a little patience.” According to DC, the deal is being misunderstood but as the NY Times points out, “On its own Web site, it said the books would be available ‘exclusively to Amazon’s newly announced Kindle Fire,’ with no qualification. Even the possibility that fans could have access to the books on their iPads through the Kindle app seemed disallowed.”
DC is now saying the digital comics will be available on other e-readers (like the iPad) through the Kindle app. “Just because we’re starting with Amazon, this is not the be-all and end-all of our digital strategy and distribution,” said Lee though he added they are not “at liberty to discuss exactly when” the comics would actually be available on the other e-readers.” Amazon declined to comment and Lee cited the company’s nondisclosure agreement between them and Amazon.
Whether this new announcement was always the case or happened because of the backlash remains to be seen.
(via The Beat)
