Holy www, comic book firms join digital age | ajc.com

Holy www, comic book firms join digital age | ajc.com: "At the comic industry's giant Comic-Con International convention, opening in San Diego today, digital projects such as Top Shelf's are drawing lots of attention. Along with seminars on 'Hi-Fi Coloring' and 'How to Tell a Story,' the expected 125,000 attendees can attend sessions such as 'Masters of the Web' and 'On-Demand Digital Comics for iPod and iPhone.'

Comic book giant Marvel Entertainment is expected to announce its first offerings for cellphones and other portable devices at Comic-Con. Marvel recently started a new digital division to oversee its fledgling Web site, where visitors can view 4,000 Marvel titles for a $60 annual subscription and its other digital offerings.

DC Comics, the industry's other granddaddy, is using Comic-Con to introduce something it calls 'motion comics.' Its first offering —- part short movie, part comic strip —- is a rendition of the 1986 graphic novel 'The Watchmen' that became available July 18 on Apple's iTunes store. The first episode is free for download through Aug. 2; after that, it and 11 subsequent episodes will cost $1.99 each."