Marvel Comics app to close following Comixology layoffs
Marvel announces the end of its standalone digital comics storefront, operated by the Amazon subsidiary Comixology
Following significant layoffs at digital platform Comixology earlier this year, Marvel has announced that its standalone Marvel Comics app — which had been operated by Comixology on Marvel’s behalf — will be shutting down in June.
The announcement was made on Marvel’s website, which noted that the company is “disappointed fans will no longer be able to use the app starting in June.” But there is good news for customers concerned that the app’s closure means that they will no longer be able to access purchases made throughout the years; previously purchased comics will be available via the Marvel Unlimited service, whether or not the customer is subscribed to Marvel Unlimited.
In order to access purchases, iOS users will have to link their Marvel Comics app to a Marvel account; Android users will have already done so. (Instructions as to how to do that can be found here.)
Comixology was hit by widespread cutbacks in January, with estimates suggesting that up to 75% of the company had been laid off by parent company Amazon as part of its larger cost-cutting exercises. Both Comixology and Amazon have been notably silent on the topic of potential future plans, although news of the closure of the Marvel app certainly suggests that Comixology is continuing to pull back on its activities, at least in the short term.
According to Marvel, the Marvel Comics app will shutter June 2.
Revisit Popverse’s look at the current state of the digital comics market.