Archie Comics revealed today that they’re releasing a new app, rebranded and redesigned with the look and feel of their recently-relaunched Riverdale titles Archie and Jughead.
The relaunch of Archie’s digital comics app was developed in partnership with innovative technology company Madefire, long the unquestioned leader in the motion comics business and currently reaching out to new partners in order to hold that ground despite a challenge from Michael Bay’s 451 Media.
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The new app, which goes live on iOS devices today, will feature a streamlined storefront showcasing all of Archie’s diverse and top-selling titles, graphic novels and exclusive digital content, including Archie by writer Mark Waid and artist Fiona Staples and Jughead by writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Erica Henderson.
While many comic publishers have chosen to keep their buy-as-you-go and “unlimited” digital comics apps separate, the new Archie’s new app merges both. App users will be given the option to utilize the “Archie Unlimited” service, an “all you can read” option available exclusively through the new Archie Comics app.
“Archie has always been a leader—across the board, from the stories we publish to how we get the great content to our fans. Digital is a big part of this,” said Jon Goldwater, Archie Comics Publisher/CEO. “I’m immensely proud of the new Archie app—it brings us to the forefront of the medium again, thanks to the sterling work of our partners at Madefire. This is a forward-looking, engaging and sleek app that will serve Archie and entertainment fans well, and is a perfect way to ring in Archie’s 75th anniversary.”
“Jon and the team are re-inventing Archie and we’re very proud to be a part of that,” said Ben Wolstenholme, Madefire’s CEO & Co-founder. “Having a direct distribution to their fans is vital for Archie to build on their loyal community. Using our Motion Book Publisher platform, Archie has control of their apps, storefront, and digital comic formats from PDF to fully immersive Motion Books, as well as a flexible model for pricing. It’s a new era for Archie.”
The app, which boasts an all-new comics reader with an improved reading experience, will also give readers new navigation options, allowing fans to browse by imprint, series, best-sellers and most popular, in addition to the ability to search directly for comics of their choice.
In terms of content, the app will include comics and graphic novels from every Archie imprint, including the New Riverdale titles, traditional Archie stories, Archie Action’s Sonic and Mega Man series, Archie Horror and the company’s Dark Circle super hero books, eliminating the need for fans to switch between apps to fully enjoy the diverse and beloved Archie Comics experience. Additionally, the Archie Comics app will also feature a number of must-have exclusives for Archie fans, including the all-new Pep Digital ongoing series of collections and a new line of Dollar Digests.
