Stan Lee, whose career writing comic books has run from the golden age to contemporary times, is going digital.
Boom! Studios said Monday that the man who helped create modern marvels like the Fantastic Four and X-Men — whose characters and storylines eventually spawned movies — will see his current crop of comic series available online and on mobile devices through his own app by way of the Los Angeles-based comic and graphic novel publisher.
Dubbed the “Stan Lee BOOM! Comics App,” the program is being offered through Apple’s iTunes app store.
Lee’s superhero comic series “Soldier Zero,” “The Traveler” and “Starborn” are also being made available through it and through Boom!’s own app.
The comics come with a free preview of the first issues but cost $1.99 for subsequent issues. The iVerse Media-developed app will also be linked to Lee’s Twitter musings.
The three new series, penned by Lee, made their debut last year in association with his company, Pow! Entertainment.
Lee said that given the proliferation of comic books into the digital sphere, it made sense to bring his own titles to market that way, too.
“Comics are a medium that transcends age, appealing not only to today’s young readers but older ones, as well,” Lee said. “And by giving them an unprecedented level of access, we’re ensuring that the fantastic stories, characters and worlds found only in comics will endure for many years to come.”
Digital comics have gained popularity and acceptance in recent months with most, if not all, major publishers — DC, Marvel, IDW, Dark Horse, Zenescope Entertainment, among others — embracing the platform. It lets comics readers carry their favorite titles on their phone or access them on their laptop without having to cart around numerous issues.
