DC Universe service switching to comics-only in 2021 as DC Universe Infinite
DC Universe Infinite steps up with direct competition to Marvel Unlimited, and cedes the DC film/TV to HBO Max
The DC Universe streaming service will be rebranded in 2021 as 'DC Universe Infinite,' with a focus exclusively on comic books - with the TV and film content the service has accumulated the past two years becoming exclusive to the recently-launched HBO Max streaming service.
Marketed as "the ultimate comic book subscription service," DC Universe Infinite will expand DC Universe's digital comic catalog to include the recently launched 'Digital First' line of comics, new comics exclusive to the platform (called 'DC Universe Infinite Originals'), as well as a quicker, six-month turnaround from a comic book's original release and its addition to this flat rate digital reading service (similar to the competing Marvel Unlimited).
All of the comics will also be downloadable for offline reading as well.
"Our fans love the platform's robust library of comic books and, with the transformation, we will not disappoint," DC publisher/chief creative officer Jim Lee says with the announcement. "I'm excited to share that not only will DC Universe Infinite members still be able to read all of the great comics that they've enjoyed but new issues are debuting on the platform quicker than before, digital first exclusives are being created, and the members-only events will begin as soon as possible. There has never been a better time to be a DC fan!"
DC Universe Infinite is scheduled to launch January 21, 2021, with plans for an international rollout in summer 2021.
The DC Universe Infinite service will have "more than 24,000 comics at launch…" On the surface, that's not much more than the current DC Universe service, which broke 23,000 comics back on May 12.
DC Universe Infinite will also keep the DC Universe community section alive, and make it available even to the general public without a subscription.
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For those that signed up to DC Universe for the video content, HBO Max has a special price of $4.99/month available now through October 20.
The cost of DC Universe Infinite will be much the same as DC Universe - $7.99 a month, or $74.99 a year (which equates to $6.25 a month). Those that are subscribed to DC Universe Infinite by February 1, 2021 will receive a voucher for the DC Shop - $25 for annual subscribers, and $10 for month-to-month subscribers.
Stay tuned for more information on DC Universe Infinite here at Newsarama.
DC Universe/DC Universe Infinite is but one of the many digital comics reading services available. Check out our list of the best comic book readers for Android and iOS devices.
Chris Arrant covered comic book news for Newsarama from 2003 to 2022 (and as editor/senior editor from 2015 to 2022) and has also written for USA Today, Life, Entertainment Weekly, Publisher's Weekly, Marvel Entertainment, TOKYOPOP, AdHouse Books, Cartoon Brew, Bleeding Cool, Comic Shop News, and CBR. He is the author of the book Modern: Masters Cliff Chiang, co-authored Art of Spider-Man Classic, and contributed to Dark Horse/Bedside Press' anthology Pros and (Comic) Cons. He has acted as a judge for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, the Harvey Awards, and the Stan Lee Awards. Chris is a member of the American Library Association's Graphic Novel & Comics Round Table. (He/him)