In case you missed the news from the other day. Archie Comics has announced that all of their titles will be released digitally the same day as their print incarnations. Once April 1st rolls around, you can enjoy your Archie books on the iVerse-powered app for Apple platform as well as an upcoming app for Android devices. This news has rocked the comics world, some people lauding Archie for being so forward thinking, and some (retailers mostly) not being too happy about it. However you feel personally, you must admit that it is big news. Unfortunately, when news like this breaks, sometimes the details can be obscured behind the headlines. I was given the opportunity to speak with Jon Goldwater, co-CEO of Archie Comics to flesh out some of the details of this historic bit of press.
BigShinyRobot!:It’s obvious the big news in the comics world yesterday was Archie announcing its day-and-date digital initiative. Unfortunately, with the news distilled to so many places, the broad strokes of the news are widely known, but I’d like to go into a bit more detail. Some sources have said that day-and-date applies to the entire Archie line, and some have mentioned specific titles such as the upcoming Kevin Keller mini series. Does Archie’s day-and-date plans include titles such as Life With Archie, the various digests and licensed books?
Jon Goldwater: Day-and-date applies to all Archie titles except our licensed books – SONIC and MEGA MAN. Those will eventually also be day-and-date, but we have to work with our friends at SEGA and Capcom to iron out the logistics, since licensed comics also require an additional approval time.
BSR!: Does Archie’s same-day release schedule apply only to the iVerse powered apps, or will other digital vendors, such as comiXology have the same opportunity?
JG: The initial day-and-date plan runs through our standalone iVerse app, which is available for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Our partners at Comixology and Graphic.ly have been wonderful to work with and we’ll continue to expand our relationships with them. We’ll be in talks with them over the next few months about moving toward day-and-date with the Archie materials they regularly provide.
BSR!: One of the things I’ve enjoyed about getting Archie titles digitally is the fact that you offer digital versions of trade paperbacks. Will this continue if all of the individual issues are already available for purchase?
JG: The plan is to collect single issues day-and-date, along with the collections, so yes.
BSR!: With the focus shifted to same-day releases, will Archie continue to supply fans with stories from their extensive archives?
JG: Our digital strategy has always been about promoting upcoming titles but also reaching back into Archie’s extensive and impressive back catalogue. While day-and-date means there has to be an added focus on what’s coming out immediately, we’ll still continue to mine our older titles to give fans the classic stories they crave.
BSR!: In a previous interview, you were discussing the importance of the 99 cent price point. Will this trend continue for older titles, as same-day releases are set to be $1.99?
JG: Yes. $1.99 applies to new, day-and-date titles. Older books will hold at $.99.
BSR!: In talks we’ve had with overseas readers, particularly the United Kingdom, it seems that the Archie Comics app is one of the only avenues they have to enjoy your line of books. Are there any plans to cater to this new, wider audience?
JG: I wouldn’t say the Archie app is the only way, but we definitely see digital and our expanding presence in that realm as a way to not only lead the industry when it comes to embracing new technologies, but, more importantly, as a way to make sure Archie Comics are available to anyone who’s interested in reading them. Be it digital or print, we want to make sure our titles are readily accessible to our fans around the world.
BSR!: You’ve previously said that you’ll soon have an app on the Android Marketplace. Will users who have previously bought comics on your iOS app be able to re-download those purchased books on the Android?
JG: Great question. We’ll have more specifics about the Android Archie Comics app as we get closer to launch in a few months.
BSR!: Thanks for your time. You make me proud to be an Archie fan!
JG: We’re proud to have you! Thanks for reading.