Yes. Because a distribution monopoly has worked so well for the industry.

I can't be blase about this.

CX pretty much has a grip around the industry now.

Back in the mid '90's when Marvel did their own short-lived self distribution (stupid), Diamond then panicked and started their exclusive agreements with DC and then other comic companies (illegal monopoly) and the other distributors basically starved. Then Marvel realized they were stupid and came back and also signed an exclusive deal with Diamond. I'd asked my retailer friend at the time why Diamond wasn't taken to court over what was basically a monopoly. Turns out that they were but the judge declared that there was no monopoly as comic books were the same as comic strips in the newspapers and they were all over the place, no monopoly, case dismissed. Stupid, uninformed judge, *incredibly incompetent lawyer!* but now there's a precedent and blah blah blah.

The only good to come of this is that digital comics took a chunk--however small--out of Diamonds pocket or at least they were afraid they would, and Diamond loosened up some of it's policies regarding independent books and some of its benchmarks.

Yeah that judge was an idiot. And for the current regime to do this shows how shortsighted they are.

Not much point for Marvel or DC to go with a comic based company. Slightly more sense to sign a limited exclusive deal with Amazon, but DC and Marvel are going to get primo treatment from any comic distributed that an exclusive deal with one only cuts off other revenue streams.

I think it's a pretty good idea for there to be one site that has everything.

Whether it's exclusive, I guess that's a point to be negotiated. But it reduces hassle if the cloud of Comixology can basically store all your purchases.

As for the "collector factor," of wanting to be sure you have a preserved copy if Comixology goes down -- don't know how to soothe those fears. That seems to be a problem no matter who's selling them.

I'd rather they charge less and I'd give up worrying about re-reading them later.

Books and music tend not to be exclusive to a digital store. Everybody pretty much has everything (although I'm sure there's a few exceptions). Even apps are becoming more and more platform agnostic.

Comics need to be on as many services as possibly. CX is the leader right now, but enshrining that stiffles innovation while the industry is still sorting the whole thing out.

THIS.
I might even go digi if standard comics could be bought for fifty cents or less.
I'd spend a lot nore than I do today for paper.