New digital comics marketplace and reader Omnibus is closing its doors, as the volatile space continues to struggle with the demise of Comixology.
In a message posted on the Omnibus app and on its website, the company explained the reasoning behind the decision:
“We are not growing fast enough and require significant external funding to continue to grow and become sustainable. Achieving this goal in the current situation is a difficult task.
According to Omnibus, users who spent more than $100 on the service can request a refund and download a PDF backup of their book (with permission from the publisher). Users will still be able to access their books until August 21st.
After Amazon decided to force the Comixology app into its Kindle ecosystem and services starting in 2022, Omnibus became one of the most promising (and most talked about) successors. Readers are actively looking for the next big thing, and Omnibus and GlobalComix are two potential companies eager to fill this gap.
Founded by tech industry veterans and fans Kenny Meyers and Travis Schmeiser It officially launches in 2022 and officially launches in 2023 – first as an iPad-only app before expanding to Android and iPhone in 2024. , Black Panel Press, BOOM! Studios, CEX, Dark Horse, Humanoids, IDW, Image, Mad Cave Studios, Oni Press, Scout Comics, Silver Sprocket, Titan, Valiant and Vault. The app offers a shopping and integrated reading experience similar to the older Comixology app. Crucially, it runs a pay-per-book system rather than a Netflix-style subscription, and it doesn’t allow for the explicit purchase of DRM-free backups – both of which rival GlobalComix has already dealt with.
Co-founder Kenny Myers said in a January 2023 interview with SKTCHD’s David Harper:
“To put it simply, Omnibus is a digital comic book store and reader. Travis and I have been friends for about 10 years, and we always talked about doing our own things. I felt bad about a bunch of unfulfilling technical jobs. Got really bored and contacted Travis to see if he wanted to try making something. We were originally trying to create software for small businesses, but we kept talking about how bad Comixology was getting and we thought it was ripe for a challenge to the throne.
Co-founder and CEO Travis Schmeisser added:
“Our goal is to stand out and win fans with well-designed apps, paying attention to detail and making using our apps more fun than what people are used to. The bar for customer expectations has been raised, but it’s not yet met. Digital Comics It’s become so boring, but it’s the hottest topics and art! We just want to create a place you’ll enjoy spending time and reading!
While the service seemed to be growing rapidly with each funding round (reportedly taking in over $1 million in venture capital), the company hit a major roadblock in early December 2023, when Myers, who was the company’s chief engineer at the time, Left the company.
Miles said in a LinkedIn post:
“It is with great sadness that I announce that Omnibus and I have parted ways.
“Omnibus is a dream of mine, a project that I have conceived, launched and dedicated myself to over the past 18 months. I’m excited to take digital comics stores to the next level for all comics lovers like me , especially with the dissolution of Comixology.
“While this decision was not a mutual one, I leave very proud of the many contributions I have made to Omnibus in all aspects of the business.”
With the disappearance of Omnibus, the field of digital comics remains in chaos. Amazon – at least on the public side – has almost completely consumed Comixology, so you need to use the (still buggy) Kindle app to find your books, and the (worse) Kindle Web Store experience to try to find new books. Some publishers continue to reduce their presence – Dark Horse has shut down its Android app, directing fans to its website and iOS services; some services have streamlined their offerings (French app Izneo has completely cut off its presence in the English-speaking market, only Cinebook and Europe Comics retained their presence). Marvel and DC stick with their own dedicated subscription services. Omnibus’s rival GlobalComix is still hanging on, taking a relatively more cautious path to growth. Meanwhile, there are new entrants: In March, New Zealand-based digital collectibles company VeVe launched its own bid — and Marvel Comics has been involved from the start.
Full statement:
Omnibus will be closed soon
What happened? We are not growing fast enough and require significant external funding to continue to grow and become sustainable. Achieving this goal under the current circumstances is a difficult task.
You can read and download the backup within the app until August 21st.
To our team: I would like to personally thank Ernest, Jon, and Andre for helping create everything you use. We did a great job and moved several mountains with a small team! I hope you are all as proud as I am.
We also have a lot of thanks to give! We couldn’t have gotten here without:
Publishers who gave us a chance
Talented creators whose work we sell
Chris and Aaron from the Forgotten Bar Podcast, our good friends and brothers. Thank you for the positive vibes, friendship, and fun text threads (Aaron, you are a dirty bird).
Brad and Lisa at Comic Couple Counseling have played an integral role in spreading the word.
Lorelei from Image, thank you for giving us the first chance and for all the advice and help!
Finally, to our customers and fans: thank you for supporting us! Your feedback, kind words and participation mean the world to us.
For our super fans: Since every publisher does not allow PDF backups, we will process as many refunds as possible for our super fans. If you spent more than $100 on comics: Request a refundThe comics are wonderful. Thank you again for your support,
Travis and Team Comprehensive ✌️
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