With comic book stores around the country closing their doors because of the Coronavirus pandemic, the entire comics industry has practically come to a halt and it's unclear whether and when things will ever really be able to get back to "normal."
Having all that in mind, Marvel has taken a small step to try to support fans during these tough times by making his Marvel Unlimited program with some free comics a little more available temporarily. Through Marvel Unlimited Subscription Service, Marvel will be offering a variety of free comics until May 4th, providing a source of much-needed entertainment for the millions of us now stuck at home. The comics can be accessed via Android or iOS apps from Marvel Unlimited, or via their website, without having to enter any payment details or launch a trial subscription.
There's a decent range of free comics available online, and there are some stories in there that you should be familiar with even though, like me, your Marvel experience stretches only as far as its film entries are concerned. Here is the complete list-
- Avengers vs. X-Men
- Civil War
- Amazing Spider-Man: Red Goblin
- Black Panther by Ta-Nehisi Coates Vol. 1
- Thanos Wins by Donny Cates
- X-Men Milestones: Dark Phoenix Saga
- Avengers: Kree/Skrull War
- Avengers by Jason Aaron Vol. 1: The Final Host
- Fantastic Four Vol. 1: Fourever
- Black Widow Vol. 1: S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Most Wanted
- Captain America: Winter Soldier Ultimate
- Captain Marvel Vol. 1: Higher, Further, Faster, More
When you want to subscribe and have access to the 27,000 comic issues from Marvel Unlimited, then the service will cost you $9.99 a month. Marvel says new issues are being introduced every week, but it adds that you will usually have to wait about six months after their physical release to make them digitally released.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Marvel is only the latest company to have made its wares available free of charge or at a reduced rate. Recently, Audible revealed it will allow free streaming of the first Harry Potter audio book, and even this week Candy Crush Saga is offering free, unlimited lives. For the future, though, Marvel and the other publishers will have to think seriously, that they will have to put more energy into getting customers onto their digital channels, if going to stores continues to be potentially risky.