hoopla digital, the category-creating mobile and online service for North American public libraries, has announced content agreements with comic book publishers Fantagraphics, Lion Forge and Titan Comics. With the agreement, hoopla digital immediately adds thousands of popular comic book titles including Doctor Who, Assassin’s Creed, My Favorite Thing is Monsters and Saved by the Bell to its app and online service.
The new deals bolster hoopla’s impressive comics catalogue of more than 10,000 comics titles from an upwards of 70 comics publishers including DC Comics, Image Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Valiant Comics and more.
A service of Midwest Tape, a trusted partner to public libraries for over 25 years, hoopla digital partners with public libraries across North America to provide patrons with online and mobile access to the service’s collection of more than 600,000 eBooks, audiobooks, comics, movies, TV shows, music, and more.
There is no waiting to borrow titles on hoopla digital since on-demand content can be enjoyed by multiple patrons simultaneously. Patrons who use hoopla digital also avoid library late fees as digital content borrowing periods simply expire without charges.
“As comic book fans ourselves, we are working diligently to build our inventory of comic books and graphic novels. With these agreements, we’re excited to bring thousands of Fantagraphics, Lion Forge and Titan titles to our library customers and their patrons to enjoy anytime, anywhere on our service,” said Jeff Jankowski, founder and owner of hoopla digital.
“hoopla’s Action View experience was built especially for titles like Doctor Who, Ghost World and Voltron, so fans can truly appreciate the artistry of these great comics.”
The announcement comes just ahead of San Diego Comic Con where hoopla digital (Booth #1819) will host fans, attendees and comic book influencers and demo its acclaimed Action View technology – a one-of-a-kind immersive digital reading experience that allows for full page and panel-by-panel views of comics and illustrations.
As regular downthetubes readers know, Titan Comics offers the world’s greatest licensed properties, alongside creator-owned comics such as Lost Fleet and Rivers of London and graphic novels from new and world-renowned talent, and classic graphic novels remastered for brand-new audiences.
“Titan Comics is delighted to be expanding its digital reach with hoopla, and is looking forward to introducing many more readers to its catalog of licensed, creator owned and classic titles,” said Chris Teather, publishing director of Titan Comics.
Fantagraphics Books has been a leading proponent of comics as a legitimate form of art and literature for over 40 years, since it began publishing the critical trade magazine The Comics Journal in 1976, offering work by many alternative cartoonists including now-legends like Peter Bagge, Daniel Clowes, Carol Tyler, Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez, Joe Sacco and Jim Woodring, as well as many artists who gained prominence as part of the seminal underground comix movement of the ’60s, such as Robert Crumb and Kim Deitch.
“As an avid library patron, I’m excited for Fantagraphics to be available at the fingertips of virtually anyone with a library card,” said Eric Reynolds, associate publisher of Fantagraphics.
Lion Forge Comics strives to create comics that everyone – regardless of background or ethnicity – can identify with. Their title Andre the Giant: Closer to Heaven was nominated for three Glyph Awards. From indie creators to licensed properties including Dreamworks’ Voltron Legendary Defender, NBC/Universal’s Miami Vice, Airwolf, Punky Brewster, Saved By the Bell, and Knight Rider, and American Greetings’ Care Bears and Madballs, there is something for every level of comic fan.
“Libraries are one of the first places that people fall in love with comics. I know that has been the case for our staff,” said Geoff Gerber, president of Lion Forge. “hoopla extends the library into our modern world, bringing the catalogue wherever we are with our mobile device. It offers a fantastic user experience for finding and reading comics. Lion Forge is committed to making ‘Comics for Everyone,’ and hoopla is a great partner for that.”
hoopla digital has partnerships with more than 1,500 public library systems across North America including Boston Public Library, Free Library of Philadelphia, Chicago Public Library, San Francisco Public Library, Los Angeles Public Library, and Edmonton Public Library.
• To begin enjoying comics on hoopla digital, North American library-card holders can download the free hoopla digital mobile app on their Android or IOS device or visit hoopladigital.com. New comic books will be added to the service weekly. The service is available only to patrons of participating public libraries.
• For more information, please contact 800-875-2785 (US) or 866-698-2231 (Canada)
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.
Categories: British Comics - Current British Publishers, Digital Comics, Doctor Who, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News