Marvel Announces Comic-Book Freebies
At South by Southwest, Marvel announced a comic-book giveaway: On Monday and Tuesday, the publisher is offering free downloads of more than 700 of its "No. 1" issues.
RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:
Our last word in business today also comes to us by way of Austin. South by Southwest is where Marvel Comics is promoting a comic book giveaway. Superheroes, like Iron Man and Wolverine, went digital a while ago. Trying to hook new readers, Marvel Comics is offering more and more content online.
STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
So, today and tomorrow, Marvel is offering free downloads of more than 700 of its number one issues from a 1963 issue of "Amazing Spiderman," to the more recent again "Marvel Zombies." The downloads usually cost anywhere from $2 to $4 apiece.
MONTAGNE: Still, the first issue of a comic book on your iPad is not quite the same as having the original paper copy. You can't tuck it away in a plastic cover and hope it will be worth lots of money someday.
INSKEEP: Darn.
MONTAGNE: Nope. Can't do that. But you can read it online.
And that's the business news on MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.
INSKEEP: I'm Steve Inskeep.
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