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Serious Stuff (off-topic) > Amazon acquires ComiXology

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message 1: by [deleted user] (last edited Apr 11, 2014 06:36AM) (new)

ComiXology & Amazon announced late yesterday (April 10) that Amazon would buy the digital comic book retailer.


Official Announcement from ComiXology

Amazon.com to Acquire ComiXology (Yahoo finance)

Amazon to Acquire Digital Comics Vendor Comixology (Publishers weekly)


Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons


message 2: by H.t. (new)

H.t. | 9 comments I do admire many things about the way Amazon does business. But as when Amazon acquired Goodreads, I have mixed feelings about this. In terms of strict business, it completely makes sense. From a consumer point of view, I hope it comes as a positive disruption force to give better access to more comics to a larger audience...as Amazon and Comixology will both have you believe.

It really is a shame that successful a successful platform such as ComiXology gets vacuumed up by a juggernaut. It begs the question; did the management of ComiXology really not have the means to remain independent? Or were the rewards just too great? If it was just a tiny startup with a good product, it would be more understandable, but ComiXology is very successful in its own right. Who knows, it could have spread the other way and ventured into pure-text ebooks with a very innovative, unique offer. Now we'll never know. Shame...


message 3: by [deleted user] (new)

H.t. wrote: "It really is a shame that successful a successful platform such as ComiXology gets vacuumed up by a juggernaut...."

Amazon's acquisition of Audible seems to have worked out pretty well for both companies. Amazon still sells audiobooks by direct referral to Audible.

Not only did it drive an increase in audiobook sales, but resulted in some interesting synergy: e.g. the ability to buy the audiobook and e-book as a discounted bundle. "Whispersync for voice", the ability to switch back and forth between audiobook and e-book with automatic sync'ing to the last spot read/heard. And "Immersion Reading", a read-along of the e-book in tandem with the audiobook, is pretty nifty, even if it's only available on the Kindle Fire models.

(Amazon did pretty much the same thing with its acquisition of Zappos, who sell shoes online. Five years later, Zappos still exists as an independent e-retailer and Amazon directs sales there.)

If Amazon ends up selling e-comics through comiXology, it could be a similar plus to e-comic sales: more customers and a superior reading experience. (Potentially a win for both publishers and consumers, though possibly negative for comic shops.)


H.t. wrote: "Did the management of ComiXology really not have the means to remain independent? Or were the rewards just too great?..."

Growing a private business usually means plowing any income back into the business. For ComiXology's founders, selling to Amazon probably means an immediate & substantial payday (presumably with Golden Handcuffs attached. I couldn't find any details on pricing on the usual financial pages.) On the downside, not selling risks Amazon forging their own path into comics with the possibility they'll eat your lunch anyway.

For ComiXology it probably means more investment for both R&D & inventory, and the promise that Amazon will drive additional sales.


message 4: by H.t. (new)

H.t. | 9 comments G33z3r,

you make extremely valid points. I have a Bachelor's and a Master of Science in business and from a strictly business point of view, the deal makes perfect sense for both parties. My father, who is a biologist, started his own company about fifteen years ago, only to discover that he had absolutely no business acumen. He later desperately sought investors to buy his technology but that fell through, ending in some tough times for my family. The investment from a major pharmaceutical could have made everything easier with a better follow-up of R&D and a much better cash situation. Who knows, if he had succeeded, diabetes could have been completely curable.

I'm hopeful that Amazon will do the right thing and keep the 'spirit' of ComiXology alive. But on the long run, from a broader perspective, it means less competition and diversity in the way business is done. I'm also wary of the morality issue; if you're the CEO of a profitable SME (ok, I haven't seen ComiXology's income statement so I don't know if it is profitable..., but just as a hypothesis), is it really justifiable to sell out to a larger corporation when it's almost certain that some people will lose their jobs (overhead, redundancies...etc)?

I'm digressing from the goal of this Group. Hope I'm not boring anyone too much with my humble opinion...


message 5: by [deleted user] (last edited Apr 27, 2014 07:20AM) (new)

Hmmm... it looks like Amazon has imposed its first business decision on behalf its new purchase.

Important Changes to ComiXology's iOS App

In short, the new ComiXology App for iPhone/iPad no longer does in-App purchases of comics, meaning ComiXology customers who want to read their comics on the Apple iPad/iPhone must purchase those comics through ComiXology.com web store.

(Apple takes a 30% cut of all in-App purchases on iOS; it's a requirement of being in the App Store. Amazon long ago set its Kindle Reader App for iOS to disable in-App purchases to avoid the 30% Apple cut.)


message 6: by [deleted user] (new)

good...no Apple 30% cut, ConiXology can sell 30% cheaper...I fell better about buying comics from them now. Before I was afraid if I spent a bunch of cash with ComiXology, they might go under and I would loose my digital comics...with Amazon backing them up, I'm not as worried now...so, feel free to buy some digital comics, but don't forget to buy you favorites as paper copies at your local comics shop!!


message 7: by [deleted user] (last edited May 05, 2014 07:15AM) (new)

Spooky1947 wrote: "I fell better about buying comics from them now. Before I was afraid if I spent a bunch of cash with ComiXology, they might go under and I would loose my digital comics...."

Good point, I hadn't specifically thought about the DRM issue for digital comics, but as with anything infected with DRM, the future of your purchases hinges on the seller remaining in business.


message 8: by [deleted user] (new)

ComiXology adds DRM-free option.

(Only for publishers who agree. The initial participatants include Image, IDW Publishing, Dynamite Entertainment, Top Shelf, Thrillbent, Monkeybrain, and Zenescope. Marvel, DC absent.)


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