Marvel comics has just pushed out a large set of their collected editions to Apple's iBookstore. The contents is what you're typically find in their softcover trade paperback editions, and mostly more recent fare, but there's some great stuff included.
Pricing is decent, between $6.99 for shorter volumes and $16.99 for classic Masterworks. No sign of larger collections (for example, Joss Whedon's phenomenal X-Men run is offered only as Vol 1. of 4 right now, not the entire 25 issue set that was in hardcover), nor the amazing Omnibuses. But one step at a time, right?
Marvel also says more's to come, so we have a lot to look forward to. If you're not sold on the digital format, you can even test drive a free copy of Brian Michael Bendis' New Avengers Vol. 1 -- for a limited time -- to see how you like it.
If you're into Marvel and use iBooks, I heartily recommend Astonishing X-Men by Whedon, Eternals and 1602 by Gaiman, Planet Hulk, Iron Man: Extremis by Ellis, Thor by JMS, Runaways, and Wolverine Enemy of the State and Old Man Logan by Millar. If you have any favorites, add them in the comments below.
Variable - Marvel iBooks Catalog
Full press release below.
Today, Marvel has entered a bold new era in digital comics. For the first time ever, classic stories—from the first appearance of the Avengers to the “death” of Captain America—will now be available for purchase on Apple’s iBookstore.
With an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch, Marvel fans across the world can now purchase over 80 graphic novels with fan-favorite characters like Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, Wolverine, Spider-Man and more by launching the iBooks app or going to www.itunes.com/marvelgraphicnovels.
Marvel Graphic Novels on Apple's iBookstore
The following is a complete list of available graphic novels at launch:
- Amazing Spider-Man Masterworks Vol. 1
- Astonishing X-Men Vol.1: Gifted
- Avengers Assemble Vol. 1
- Avengers Forever
- Avengers Masterworks Vol.1
- Avengers: Disassembled
- Avengers: Kree /Skrull War
- Avengers: Under Siege
- Avengers/X-Men: Utopia
- Captain America: The Death of Captain America Vol.1 - Death of the Dream
- Captain America: Winter Soldier Vol.1
- Captain America: Winter Soldier Vol.2
- Castle: Richard Castle's Deadly Storm
- Civil War
- Dark Avengers Vol.1: Assemble
- Dark Tower: Gunslinger Born
- Deadpool Vol.1: Secret Invasion
- Earth X
- Emma
- Ender's Game: Battle School
- Ender's Game: Command School
- Ender's Shadow: Battle School
- Ender's Shadow: Command School
- Eternals by Neil Gaiman
- Fallen Son: Death of Captain America
- Fantastic Four by Jonathan Hickman Vol.1
- Ghost Rider Vol. 1: Vicious Cycle
- House of M
- Hulk Vol. 1: Red Hulk
- Hulk: Planet Hulk
- Infinity Gauntlet
- Invincible Iron Man Vol. 1: Five Nightmares
- Iron Man: Extremis
- John Carter: A Princess of Mars
- John Carter: World of Mars
- Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman
- Marvel Zombies
- Mighty Avengers Vol.1: The Ultron Initiative
- New Avengers Vol. 1: Breakout
- New Avengers Vol. 2: The Sentry
- New Avengers Vol. 3: Secrets and Lies
- New Avengers Vol. 4: The Collective
- New Avengers Vol. 5: Civil War
- Pride and Prejudice
- Runaways Vol. 1: Pride and Joy
- Secret Invasion
- Secret War
- Secret Wars
- Siege
- Spider-Man: Big Time
- Spider-Man: Blue
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day Vol.1
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day Vol.2
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day Vol.3
- Spider-Man: Crime and Punisher
- Spider-Man: Kraven's First Hunt
- Spider-Man: Maximum Carnage
- Spider-Man: New Ways to Die
- Thor by J. Michael Straczynski Vol. 1
- Ultimate Spider-Man Vol.1: Power and Responsibility
- Ultimate Spider-Man Vol.2: Learning Curve
- Ultimate Spider-Man Vol.3: Double Trouble
- Ultimate Spider-Man Vol.4: Legacy
- Ultimate Spider-Man Vol.5: Public Scrutiny
- Ultimate Spider-Man Vol.6: Venom
- Ultimate Spider-Man Vol.7: Irresponsible
- Ultimate Spider-Man Vol.8: Cats and Kings
- Ultimate X-Men Vol. 1: The Tomorrow People
- Ultimates Vol.1: Super-Human
- Ultimates Vol.2: Homeland Security
- Venom vs. Carnage
- Wolverine: Enemy of the State
- Wolverine: Old Man Logan
- Wolverine: Weapon X Vol.1: Adamantium Men
- Wonderful Wizard of Oz
- World War Hulk
- X-Force Vol. 1: Angels and Demons
- X-Men: Messiah Complex
- X-Men: Phoenix Endsong
- X-Men: Second Coming
- X-Necrosha
And that’s just for starters. Each week, more graphic novels will be added to the expanding Marvel IBookstore library, bringing to your iPad, IPhone, or iPod Touch a truly unique digital comic book reading experience that customers will never forget. But don’t take our word for it. For a limited time, customers can read the first full issue of New Avengers Vol. 1: Breakout at the iBookstore…free of charge. For experienced comic book readers or casual fans alike, there’s something for everyone: action (X-Men: Messiah Complex), suspense (Secret Invasion), mysteries (Castle: Richard Castle’s Deadly Storm), literary adaptations (Pride & Prejudice), children’s tales (Wonderful Wizard of Oz) and more!
