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The DC Universe digital service has added a new tier, and the Absolute Universe titles. Marvel is shutting down the Marvel Insider program. Free Comic Book Day titles canceled.
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DC Universe app adds Absolute Universe.
Marvel shuts down Insider program.
Free Comic Book Day titles canceled.
This is Comic Book Club News for February 28, 2025.
While other digital programs are shutting down, the DC Universe Infinite subscription platform is growing, once again. Not only will there be a new monthly option for the publisher’s Ultra subscription tier, but the Absolute Universe titles are available now as vertical scrolling, DC GO! comics.
Previously, there were three tiers of subscription for DC Universe Infinite: $7.99 for a monthly subscription, $74.99 for an annual subscription, and $119.99 for an Ultra subscription. Joining them is a $12.99 monthly Ultra subscription, starting soon.
Why is this a big deal? As opposed to the six-months-after-release schedule for the two basic tiers, with an Ultra subscription, DC fans get new comics 30 days after print release. And not only that, they include DC’s Vertigo and Black Label imprints, among other perks. The only catch here is that the service isn’t available at all levels in all countries as of yet.
While the debut date of the monthly Ultra tier is TBA, starting right now DCUI subscribers can read the Absolute Universe line as vertical scrolling DC GO! webcomics. That includes Absolute Batman #1-#4, Absolute Superman #1-#3, and Absolute Wonder Woman #1-#4. Not only that, the first “episode” of each is free to read without a subscription. Going forward, all future issues of the titles will be available on DC GO! as well.
Speaking of digital programs closing, Marvel is shutting down the Marvel Insider program on March 3. The news comes via an email sent to those who signed up for the program, which provided points in exchange for rewards ranging from digital comics, to being drawn into an issue of a Marvel book.
Launched in 2016, the program will allow participants to redeem points until May 27. On May 28, the program will shut down, and customer service will cease on June 4.
While anecdotal, when the email was sent to subscribers, there were multiple reports online of confusion as points totals didn’t match what Marvel had sent in their email, and redemption prizes seemed to be missing from the site entirely. This is possibly caused by a whole lot of people logging in at the same time, but that’s pure speculation.
Of note, this is distinct from the Marvel Unlimited digital subscription service, which will continue to function. In the meantime, make sure to grab your digital comics and wallpapers before the end of May.
As the fallout from the Diamond’s bankruptcy continues, two publishers are pulling titles from May’s upcoming Free Comic Book Day: Fantagraphics, and Mad Cave Studios.
Fantagraphics had planned to release a preview of Lost Marvels, a collection of rare or never-before-printed Marvel Comics. However, per the publisher, since the books hadn’t been printed yet and “uncertainty of whether Diamond will even exist come May (or be able to pay us for them), we made the difficult decision to pull the plug while we could.” They may still produce the comic aside from the Free Comic Book Day event, but regardless the release of the full volume of Lost Marvels will proceed as planned.
Mad Cave, meanwhile, has canceled four issues planned for the event: Princess Gwenevere & King Arthur Crossover #1, Phineas And Ferb #1, Flash Gordon Adventures #1, and Herobear And The Kid #1. They’ll still distribute Speed Racer #0 and Phantom #0 as part of the event, and there’s no word on what will happen with the other four comics.
More on this as it develops.
For Comic Book Club News, I’m Alex Zalben. And what a bummer of a week, huh? Yeah!!
Got tips or stories you’d like us to cover? Email us at comicbookclublive@gmail.com.
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“}]] Several Free Comic Book Day titles canceled. Marvel Insider program gets shut down. DC Universe adds Absolute Universe titles. Read More