DRM

With the rise of digital comics, one of the biggest sticking points for consumers has been the idea of ownership, but this summer, we're seeing a big move towards a DRM-free model. The latest publisher to step up to the plate: Dynamite Entertainment, which launched a new digital storefront today, offering comics for download in PDF format. In celebration of their launch -- and of their tenth anniversary -- Dynamite has thrown a couple of extras into the launch. First, they've put a selection of first issues on sale for ten cents each, including Vampirella, The Boys and The Trial of Sherlock Holmes. Second, they're donating 10% of Dynamite digital's profits for the first month to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

In a move that's sure to jump-start another round of crowd-favorite game "Has Amazon saved or destroyed digital comics?" Comixology announced today at their San Diego Comic-Con panel that--at long last--they're going DRM-free. That's right kids: You now get to keep the digital comics you've bought. Some of them, anyway: Comixology VP Chip Mosher told ComicsAlliance that the program is launching with "a select group of publishers," and will be offered as an option to all publishers, as well as users of Comixology: Submit. Participating companies so far include Image Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, Zenescope Entertainment, MonkeyBrain Comics, Thrillbent, and Top Shelf Productions.

If the future of comics is digital, then iVerse Media is making a good case for being a very big player in the world that's coming, especially for independent creators: Not only has the company announced plans to release new digital publishing tools for creators, but it's also launching a crowdfunding tool for creators to use to pay for projects...