Marvel titles to be available digital, in stores on same day

PHILADELPHIA — Marvel Comics will sell nearly all of its comics digitally the same day they are out in print, shoring up a growing platform for readers who want their superheroes on the go.

The publisher said Friday it aims to have nearly all of its titles available for download by April 2012, concluding a push it began last year with its Ultimate imprint and has slowly expanded to other titles.

Dubbed day-and-date sales, the practice has been embraced by publishers, including Archie, DC and others as a way to bring in new and lapsed readers already used to reading on smartphones and tablets.

Peter Phillips, senior vice president and general manager of Marvel’s Digital Media Group, says going same-day digital will give readers more choice in how they read their comics.