Another affordable option for reading comics is to sign up for a subscription service. Think Netflix or Disney+, but for comics instead of TV and Movies. There are 3 big subscription services specifically for comics. These services are Marvel unlimited, DC Universe, and Comixology Unlimited.
Marvel Unlimited provides it’s subscribers with a massive and constantly growing library of Marvel Comics. The service currently offers access to over 27,000 digital comics in a well curated, easy to navigate web experience or mobile app. I’ve used the service on and off since it launched and it is a great way to access Marvel’s massive universe. New titles are added every week and comics usually come out a few months after their physical release. The service costs $9.99 a month or $69 a year, but Marvel offers discounted subscription s regularly. You can try it out for free for 7 days here. If you are interested in reading more about Marvel heroes or Star Wars then this is the service for you.
DC Universe isn’t just a Comics app. It also offers access to a large library of DC Comics tv shows, movies, and original content, but it does included access to a massive back catalogue of DC Comics. The app is a little harder to navigate than its Marvel counterpart, but it is a newer service and it still works really well. The library includes thousands of Comics ranging from Golden Age DC classics to recent releases. The service costs $7.99 a month or $74.99 a year, and you can try it out free for 7 days here. If you want to read more about Batman, Superman, and the rest of the DC universe or binge watch some DC TV and Movies then this is the service for you.
Comixology Unlimited is a service offered by Comixology and accessible through the free Comixology app. Comixology is owned by Amazon and is the largest online comics marketplace. The app allows you to read your purchased comics from the Comixology store, your Amazon kindle collection, and DC and Marvel’s digital comics shops. In my opinion, it is the essential app for buying and reading digital comics. Comixology Unlimited is an additional subscription that allows you to read from a large selection of over 25,000 digital comics that includes a smaller selection of Marvel and DC titles, but also includes access to a lot of other publishers, Manga, and even exclusive original series. You can usually read the first few volumes of available series, but complete runs are rare, this is a digital comics shop after all. The great thing about this service is that it allows you to try a lot of different comics and, if you find something you like, subscribers get 10-15% off most purchases. The membership costs $5.99 a month and is currently offering a 60 day free trial here. This is a great service to try out a bunch of different types of comics and find what you like. If you want to read Comics other than Marvel and DC or just aren’t sure what kind of comics you like, then this is the service for you.
Subscription services are an affordable way to access vast libraries of comics. If you are just starting out. I recommend trying out Comixology unlimited first then moving on to one of the other services after you’ve had a few months to figure out what you want to read.