Marvel has finally done what I’ve been speculating for some time – putting original comic book stories on the Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited site.
Iron Man: Fast Friends brings insight into the bond between Tony Stark/Iron Man and his best friend, Jim “Rhodey†Rhodes. Weaving in and out of the events in the feature film, the digital comic series explores the kinship of the two through the eyes of Rhodey. Featuring original storylines by Paul Tobin, with art by Ronan Cliquet and covers by Dave Bullock, the weekly series launches September 17, 2008, in advance of the September 30 DVD release of the Iron Man feature film. Read it now!
Incredible Hulk: The Fury Files follows S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury as he finds out why it’s a bad idea to make Bruce Banner angry. Written by Frank Tieri, with art by Salva Espin and covers by Steve Lieber, the weekly series will launch on October 8, leading up to the October 21 release of The Incredible Hulk on DVD. The series picks up when Nick Fury receives intel that Thunderbolt Ross’s Super Soldier program has finally produced an unstoppable warrior. A hands-on guy, Fury wants see this “hulk” for himself. So he does…and that’s when stuff starts breaking.
The company says new digital-only comics will launch on Wednesday to the tune of about three comics per month.
While these new series spin out of this past summer’s movies, I think it is a matter of time before Marvel pushes their online distribution system further by creating original, in-continuity issues, that fans will need to read in order to understand the print issues (for as long as those are still around).
