Alterna Comics has officially announced a deal with Robot Comics, allowing us to bring their expansive catalogue of titles to mobiles. Alterna is the critically-acclaimed and swift-rising star of the small press comic book industry, publishing such sold-out hits as Birth, Novo, Jesus Hates Zombies, Formera, Mr. Scootles, The Chair, and American Terror: Confessions of a Human Smart Bomb, all of which will be soon be released for Android, iPhone and iPod touch.
Alterna publisher Peter Simeti has long been one of the most forward-thinking small press figures in recent years, one of the first to utilize digital publishing venues to establish a name and demand for his company’s titles. He’s also been an advocate for smarter and more creator-friendly approaches to digital publishing practices, which we here at Robot Comics are more than happy to offer.
Look for mobile editions of Alterna titles to be released sequentially in approximately 25 pages per installment (for those titles that will retain their full-page format) or 75-100 screens (for those titles able to be reformatted and adapted specifically for mobiles). The first of each title, either 1 or 2 installments, will be offered for free. Each subsequent installment, per book, will then be offered at the rate of $0.99. Two new titles and installments will be released every Wednesday until all books in Alterna’s catalogue are made available. This schedule will allow us to have Alterna comics being released throughout the year.
Initially, each mobile installment will become available on the Google marketplace for Android-powered devices, custom-made for reading on Robot Comics‘ free Droid Comic Viewer application. Each Android release will be followed by an Apple version for iPhone and iPod touch. Lastly, every Alterna comic not already available for the Kindle, will then be given an Amazon Kindle 2 release. Even better, international versions of all Alterna titles will come available shortly after the final English versions are released.
First up are Birth:
Creator/writer/artist of Birth, Michael Bracco, had this to say about Alterna’s newest digital venture:
I love the fact that in this day and age we (the comics community) are really expanding the bounds and applications of literature to reach an unfathomable amount of people. This is especially exciting for someone like me who is an independent creator; the “little guy” of comic publishing. The thought of being included into something as far reaching, innovative and cutting edge as the iPhone is an extraordinary opportunity!
Diary of The Black Widow’s creator/writer/artist Bret M. Herholz commented on digital comics and their surge in popularity and what that means for printed books:
I feel it does give people an affordable option to read comic books and graphic novels on the go. I don’t think digital will replace the printed page because there is something very comforting about holding a book in your hand while reading it. But it’s good for people to have a choice with digital books.
Look for the first free installments of Birth and Diary of the Black Widow to be released later today (April 29th)!
For more information on Alterna Comics, visit www.alternacomics.com.
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