D.C. is adding a new Ultra tier to its Universe Infinite comic book subscription service that lets you digitally read comics just one month after they hit store shelves.
The new deck launches on Monday at an introductory price of $99/year, but this price only lasts until November 28, and D.C. doesn’t specify how much it will cost after that.
The tier costs $99 / year and gives you access to new comics one month after they arrive in brick & mortar stores.
Users must wait six months after a new comic hits D.C. Universe Infinite. While the new tier could make the service more attractive to diehard comic book fans, it’s considerably more expensive than the $74.99 / year or $7.99 / month standard subscription option.
Anyone upgrading to the new tier will also get a chance to receive one free physical comic book, starting with The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, which features an exclusive cover designed by Ivan Reis.
D.C. Universe was an American subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) and digital comics service operated by D.C. Entertainment and Warner Bros. Digital Networks, both branches of WarnerMedia. Established on September 15, 2018, the service featured a streaming library of animated series and films based on D.C. Comics properties, and a new original television series adapted from D.C. properties, a rotating back catalog of D.C. Comics publications, and an online community elements. In 2020, the assistant beat the People’s Voice Award for Media Streaming.
In June 2020, WarnerMedia started to phase out D.C. Universe in favor of its latest flagship streaming service HBO Max, originally by offering a promotional offer via D.C. Universe for new subscribers. In September 2020, it was announced that D.C. Universe would be relaunched as D.C. Universe Infinite—solely a digital comics subscription service—on January 21, 2021. It has D.C. Universe’s original series, and future streaming productions would move to HBO Max and become Max Originals.
In addition to a shorter launch window, D.C.’s throwing in 5,000 exclusive titles from Vertigo, DC Black Label, and Collected Editions, bringing the total of available comics to over 32,000 for Ultra subscribers.
Adding the new Ultra tier could help the D.C. Universe Infinite compete with Marvel Unlimited, which cut its digital release window to three months in 2020. Aside from its standard $9.99/month or $69/year plans, Marvel Unlimited also has a $99/year Plus plan that comes with exclusive merch, discounts on Disney’s online shop, and other perks that get refreshed every year.
D.C. Universe launched in the U.S. on September 15, 2018. It was available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple T.V., Android T.V., Amazon Fire T.V., and Xbox One, in addition to web and mobile web credentials. Each subscription to D.C. Universe could be used on two devices simultaneously. Pre-orders for the streaming service evolved starting on July 19, while an early beta version was made available to users in August. Live-action series were built in 4K with HDR.
D.C. Universe was only available in the United States. However, at Fan Expo Canada 2018, D.C. editor Dan DiDio declared the service was being beta tested in Canada with plans to pitch at an unspecified date. Meanwhile, many original shows from the service were formulated by Corus Entertainment for broadcast on its Adult Swim, Teletoon, and Showcase cable networks. In contrast, Bell Media drafted Doom Patrol for its CTV Sci-Fi Channel. In addition, Titans were distributed internationally on Netflix.