The realm of comics is approaching a significant transition, a fact acknowledged by the established industry leaders. DC Entertainment, a longstanding pillar in the comic industry, is actively exploring various strategies to engage younger audiences with its iconic characters. This includes the recent announcements, such as the introduction of DC Go! webcomics, the launch of a children’s series, and a new licensing agreement with the popular platform, Webtoon.
Recently, DC Entertainment disclosed a new partnership with GlobalComix, a digital platform that has secured substantial funding aimed at adapting traditional comics for vertical reading on smartphones. This latest venture allows fans to access 400 titles from DC, Vertigo, and Wildstorm, which include notable series such as Batman, The Joker, and Doom Patrol. These comics will be available via GlobalComix’s subscription service with many options available for free sampling. Although the comics will initially maintain a standard panel-and-page layout, this initiative marks a significant move towards mobile optimization by DC, particularly as it comes on the heels of the rollout of DC Go! Starting November 20, DC Universe Infinite (DCUI) will feature mobile-friendly content that includes original series like Harley Quinn, Nightwing, and Raven, presented in a scrolling format akin to platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
While this transition to vertical scrolling might seem straightforward, it represents a substantial shift for an industry historically resistant to change. In the early days of digital comics, the medium largely mirrored traditional multi-panel formats, particularly on tablet devices. Vertically-scrolling comics, however, allow audiences to read stories in a top-to-bottom sequence, much like browsing a smartphone feed. With the diverse array of digital content vying for attention—such as games and social media—traditional comic publishers are compelled to adapt.
The success of Webtoon, a South Korean platform that popularized vertically-scrolling comics, was underscored this summer when it achieved a $2.67 billion valuation following its public offering in the US. In the lead-up to New York Comic Con, commencing Thursday, DC’s strategic plans highlight its readiness to pursue advancements across several fronts.
Milton Griepp, the publisher of ICv2, expressed that major American comic publishers appear to have exhausted traditional avenues for acquiring new audiences through other media forms. To continue expanding, he asserts, embracing vertical scroll comics is crucial, as this format is attracting tens of millions of predominantly younger readers globally.
