Marvel Adds Digital Comics to Kobo Catalogue

By John Freeman on October 28, 2014

Marvel has added many of its most popular digital comics to digital distributor Kobo’s content library, in a deal a Kobo spokesperson says encompasses more than 250 fixed-layout illustrated ebooks.

Titles such as Captain America: Winter Soldier Volume 1 and Infinity Gauntlet should be available for purchase at Kobo’s UK ebookstore, delivering them to Kobo devices on sale through shops such as WH Smiths, or via free reading apps available for most popular tablets and smartphones.

“For more than 75 years, Marvel has been transporting comic fans to exciting new galaxies,” says Santiago Melo, Merchandiser, Kobo. “Tackling big issues with larger than life characters, these stories continue to be a constant source of enrichment in our popular culture and we couldn’t be happier to welcome them to the Kobo family.”

“Marvel is excited about our partnership with Kobo and happy to have the opportunity to provide fans, new and existing, another great way to experience our legendary content,” says David Gabriel, SVP Sales and Marketing for Marvel Entertainment.

Headquartered in Toronto and owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten, Kobo Inc. is one of the world’s fastest-growing eReading services offering more than 4.2 million eBooks and magazines to millions of customers in 190 countries. Kobo eReaders can be found in major retail chains around the world.

• For more information, visit www.kobo.com

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.