Diversification of revenue streams is rarely a bad thing, in and of itself, and after Marvel has digitized comics for one format, the cost of spreading them to multiple formats isn't high. And so there's nothing wrong with this move. But there's nothing about it that's oh so right that it should compel the media attention it's been getting. However, Marvel probably hopes, and is probably right to hope, that the massive success associated with its and Amazon's overall brands will give it a wave of positive coverage in general, a wave that it needs right now. Investor confidence has begun to flag after the not quite Indominus Rex-sized revenues for Avengers: Age of Ultron did not meet expectations and Ant-Man has had a somewhat troubled history, with its director leaving in mid-production. Even the biggest player in the superhero comics market sometimes needs to look bigger than it is. Feel free to enjoy Marvel Comics wherever you can get 'em, but if you get a lot, Marvel Unlimited is way cheaper. And don't be too concerned that this move will squeeze out the smaller players. The way things are at Amazon and Comixology right now, it's Marvel who's struggling to squeeze in.
T Campbell has written quite a few online comics series and selected work for Marvel, Archie and Tokyopop. His longest-running works are Fans, Penny and Aggie-- and his current project with co-writer Phil Kahn, Guilded Age.
