2000 AD Comics Available For Download

2000 AD is going digital and will start providing digital downloads of its weekly sci-fi comic to readers across the globe. The first download will be available today thanks to the combined efforts of the comic publisher and webcomic specialists ClickWheel. However, if you're thinking this would be a great free way to read comics, think again:

NRAMA: Will it be subscription-based like what Marvel's doing with Digital Comics Unlimited? Or is it free for anyone who has a computer?

2000AD: Ultimately, we will have several payment options available, primarily iTunes style ala’ carte purchases, as well as long-term subscriptions, but there too our subscriptions will have more in common with a TV season pass on iTunes than what Marvel is doing with DCU. The difference is our content is downloadable, so you actually purchase the file, whereas with DCU you’re essentially renting it. You can only view the comic at the DCU site and only with an active subscription. With 2000AD you make one purchase and that comic is just as much yours as if you picked it up at your local comic shop. They’re just different business model with their own strengths and weaknesses, but we’re certainly glad to see Marvel embracing digital comics too!

Hmm... thanks, but I think I'll stick to actually buying the comics and hoping they'll be worth something someday. Or, barring that, I'll be able to fashion them into a shelter in order to protect me from the elements when I'm living on the street, ten years from now.

2000AD GOES DIGITAL: TAKING BRIT COMICS ONLINE [Newsarama]