#lhudson

Digital comics ownership has long been a controversial topic, particularly since most online services only allow users to view comics rather than download them—essentially, to see them (sometimes for the same price as the print version) rather than truly buying them.

But that's all changing for one group of publishers. ComiXology, the largest digital comics distributor, has announced that users will now be able to download DRM-free "backup" files (in PDF or CBZ format) for any comics purchased through their service from Image Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, Zenescope Entertainment, MonkeyBrain Comics, Thrillbent, and Top Shelf Productions. Creators who self-publish will also be able to offer the backups if they choose.

The two biggest publishers, Marvel and DC Comics, are notably absent from the announcement—as are two other larger publishers, Dark Horse Comics and IDW Publisher—although the press release refers to the announcement as merely the "first wave."

The announcement is nothing new for Image Comics, which started offering DRM-free copies of their digital comics through their website a year ago. At the time they were an outlier; this announcement not only broadens DRM-free digital comics to more publishers but to the biggest distribution platform on the web.