Claim Your Digital Comic Book – And How Digital Comic Books Work!

(PCM) There may never be a full paradigm shift to all written materials being only available in digital format, and you may always intend to be a reader of analog / printed media. But…

WHY REDEEM A DIGITAL COMIC BOOK IF I DON’T READ DIGITAL COMICS?

Why give up your right of ownership to things you buy? Because that’s exactly what you are doing each time you purchase a print copy of a comic book and you do not redeem the digital comic book included in your purchase. What you may not have an interest in now may change later. Why spend hundreds of dollars (or thousands) on comic books to later find out that you have to repurchase those titles again? That’s exactly what will be necessary if you don’t redeem a code.

HOW IT WORKS – AND WHY YOU SHOULD REDEEM YOUR COMIC BOOK CODE

This article will explain why you should redeem your digital comic book even if you don’t currently have a device to read your digital comic book. Also, we’ll show you how to redeem your digital comic book code using Marvel’s digital comic book system as an example. FYI, Marvel’s App is a rebranding of Comixology.

The first fundamental concept to understand is that redeeming a code for a comic book is basically registering yourself as the owner of that comic book. You create a profile (e-mail based) at Marvel’s website. Then each comic book code you redeem in the future allows you as the registered owner to claim your copy of your comic book anytime going forward. Sounds cumbersome? Not really, but yes getting started can be confusing. Let’s take the confusion out of it now.

THE DIGITAL COMIC BOOK CONCEPT

Do you download your digital copies of movies when you buy a Blu-Ray or DVD? If so, the system is similar in that you must redeem the code inside a period of time or the code expires. For Marvel digital codes it’s 3 months.

That’s right, just because you have a unique code to download your personal copy of Thor, Hulk, Deadpool or whatever title, doesn’t mean it lasts indefinitely. So it’s important you redeem the code so that if at any later date you decide to read digital comics, you’ll have a bank of comic books to download and read on any device supported.

Currently both Apple ios and Android devices have a Marvel app. It can be a phone or tablet. Tablet’s provide the best experience due to larger screen size. And this is the point of redeeming your code for a digital comic book. You can download the same title to multiple devices.  Should you upgrade a phone or tablet, or even change platforms, your library of comics will remain on the cloud, meaning you never really need to be concerned with personal storage space on your devices. You can even delete a comic on your phone or tablet to make room for storage space if necessary, while still owning that comic to download again later.

Right now Marvel is selling print comic books with digital copies included in the same sale. Well – not really, Marvel actually raised the price on specific popular titles by a dollar. Those specific titles allow you to redeem a code to claim your digital version. In reality you could be paying for something you are not using.

A graphic reference icon (see inset image above) on the cover page of select copies is on Marvel titles such as Amazing Spider-Man, Wolverine, Deadpool, Avengers etc…

Look for the graphic icon that reads: BONUS DIGITAL EDITION. In small print below it, it reads, SEE INSIDE FOR DETAILS.

Inside each comic near the back pages you’ll find a peel away sticker. Be very careful removing it. Marvel has not perfected the printing on these labels and if you are not careful you can peel away the printing which will force you to contact Marvel support to get a replacement code.

In fact some unscrupulous people go into comic book stores, peel the labels and steal the codes. They are caught later when legit owners open trouble tickets with Marvel, but be sure you label is secure before you buy it just to avoid the hassle.

Concerned that you are hurting your local comic book store? Guess what, they get a perk payment for each code you redeem. Just select your comic book store from a pull down list and unless you change it, they get credit for each redemption going forward.

Now with your code in hand, this is where the learning curve comes in.

Bookmark the Marvel redemption page: Currently it is: https://marvel.com/redeem/ That page also currently looks like this the inset image.

The key to the process is to complete it!

Just entering the code into the cart isn’t enough. After all if you have four (4) codes to redeem, you want the process to add them all to your library at once. To do this, you enter each code, press ADD TO CART. and continue to ADD TO CART until all of your codes are entered.  Then you press REDEEM.

This is where the confusion lies. There is no system yet to enter codes directly into your APP on your iphone, tablet or android device. You must always first report to the Marvel redeem page and add those titles to your library.

What that done, you may now open your APP on your iphone, tablet or Android device. And there is one more step!

Download the title or titles! While this may seem arduous, it has a purpose. If you are pressed for space on your device, you can download the titles you want to read and only those titles.

WHAT ABOUT COMIXOLOGY?

Comixology is the same comic book application as Marvel and DC. You could in fact only download that one app and fold your DC and Marvel Comic books into that library. Or you can download all three apps. It doesn’t matter, its a personal preference.

Darkhorse Comics has its own reader and buying a comic book through Darkhorse will require their own App to read Darkhorse comics. Perhaps one day they too will throw in with Comixology too. Until then, don’t forget to support your Independent comic book publishers like Darkhorse too!

YES THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES

You could always download comic books illegally and read them on open source applications. After all, comic books can be expensive. But here is why buying a comic book is better. Okay, a few reasons.

1. It’s the right thing to do by the creators. Yes, you may think Marvel and DC have plenty of money but it’s the artist and writers you hurt by going around them.

*The only reason that ethically makes sense is for comics that are not yet converted to digital or may never by publishers that are out of business.

2. The reading experience in the branded apps is in fact better than the standard comic book readers. From auto-resizing of images to swiping to individual panels (not just full pages) that provide a better reading experience.

3. The resolution is better and portable for the future when you upgrade your device.

4. It manages and organizes your comics for you.

5. Your library is always there waiting. You won’t lose your comics.

The future never waits. Digital comics are here and maybe you don’t care to read them now, but eventually this may be the only future of comics. Why not make sure you place a hold on property you are already paying for?  If you are buying Marvel titles with the BONUS DIGITAL EDITION icon, then you have only three (3) months to redeem a code before it expires. Don’t wait. Get your digital comic book now.

 

 

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