Is DC Universe's Comics Library the Answer to Marvel Unlimited? Not Really ...

DC revealed a slew of new details for the launch of DC Universe, the incoming streaming platform for television, movies, and original programming. Included in the launch package is a comic book reading feature that promises to offer a curated selection of books on a rotating schedule.

The inclusion of comic books in the service will immediately make people compare it to Marvel's own subscription service Marvel Unlimited, but how do the two really compare?

Despite DC's commitment to bringing comics and media together, it is clear that this service is focused on converting new and casual fans into full-blown comic book readers. Providing comics that tie directly (or indirectly) into popular television shows and movies is a stroke of genius, but the limited comic book library leaves something to be desired. Long-time fans have demanded a subscription service that could rival Marvel's, but it doesn't look like DC Universe will answer that call—at least not yet.

A Limited Selection Doesn't Help Long-Time Fans

Marvel and DC heroes fighting each other in a crossover, including Superman fighting Hulk and Wonder Woman fighting Storm.

DC's official release states there will be comic books available to read and download, but don't expect a deep selection of back issues like Marvel U subscribers currently enjoy.

Not only is the company clear to state that the app's library will be "curated," meaning limited, but it also dished on a few titles that will be included in the launch. Action Comics #1 and Detective Comics #27 will offer readers the first appearances of Superman and Batman. Justice League by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee, Scott Snyder's Swamp Thing, and Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner's run on Harley Quinn are named as the headliners, so you can get a sense of what DC Universe will be focusing on.

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Instead of giving fans a healthy selection of the book they want to be reading right now, DC will be flaunting its most marketable comics; the publisher's New 52 relaunch of the Justice League, Swamp Thing title that can attract fans of the new television show, a Harley Quinn book that can tap into the character's fans from Suicide Squad and the coming animated series. These books were strategically picked in order to serve a specific purpose for casual fans, rather than actually give comic book fans a full selection of titles featuring their favorite characters.

The inclusion of Batman and Superman's first appearances also feels more like a novelty addition more than an effort to include anything of actual substance. Following the service's initial launch, don't be surprised to also see All-Star Comics #8, Showcase #4, and The Brave and the Bold #28, and similar books, on the virtual spinner rack. However, we're highly unlikely to see expansive back issue runs on these characters from the '70s, '80s, and '90s available upon release -- something long-time fans might want to see, but newer readers might find too overwhelming.

Making a point to focus on the most marketable comics in the canon will also lead to some of the most famous DC books getting a place in the library. This means new fans will get a chance to read books like All-Star Superman, Batman: Year One, The Killing Joke, The Dark Knight Returns, and other equal "classic" selections. Long-time readers, though, will likely have read all these books, and probably already own most of them. If this is the case, big DC Comics fans might not get much out of the comic book library included in the service.

Having a rotating selection of books also seems like a very bad idea. Sure, it allows DC to offer new and exciting titles when they are most relevant, but it takes away the leisurely aspect of the comic book reading experience. Fans are no longer free to explore the depths of the DC library on their own terms, like Marvel Universe subscribers are. Instead, they will need to be aware of how long books will remain available, forcing them to speed read through titles, which seemingly defeats the entire purpose of the service.

By all means, DC Universe needs to target new and casual readers to keep this business going, but by offering a small, curated selection of only the most upper crust of comics, DC is also leaving existing fans out in the cold (or heat of the summer). A bigger selection of books would do wonders to improve upon the Marvel Universe model while also giving hardcore fans the satisfaction they deserve. In the end, it will also lead to a higher adoption rate.

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Marvel Unlimited may be the service to beat, but it isn't exactly the gold standard in terms of quality and functionality. Though there are few comparable publisher-specific services to compete with, Marvel U has its fair share of problems (Dark Horse's is the most obvious, and it, too, is rather problematic to use). While DC Universe can't hope to compete with the utter vastness of Marvel Unlimited, it does have the potential to outclass the competition when it comes to collected storytelling, connectability and the overall interface. Addressing these issues will help the fledgling service stay competitive in the early launch days.

A curated list of comics for beginners may not be ideal for everyone, but it offers the potential to include collected storytelling. Marvel Unlimited may have (nearly) everything, but its very basic story collections makes crossover storylines an imposing chore. DC Universe may be starting small, but there's a chance it could expand over time, and there's already evidence that it could improve on this feature.

If DC Universe offers only the most iconic stories, something like The Dark Knight Returns would essentially have to be offered in one collected edition, instead of requiring readers to follow along over several different issues. As the library expands, this should eventually lead to the inclusion of stories like Crisis on Infinite Earths, and then prominent crossovers like The Death of Superman. If DC isn't planning on simply dumping everything into on place, the way Marvel Unlimited operates, it means DC Universe would almost have to feature collected editions of the publisher's biggest stories.

DC Universe also promises to allow users to read comics right on their television screen, which will hopefully improve on Marvel U's shoddy web interface. Marvel's app also struggles with continuity between multiple iterations of the app, meaning titles you read on your phone won't necessarily appear on your iPad. If DC Universe allows users to read on their television -- an admitted odd reading experience -- it it has to include the ability to then seamlessly segue to icking up where you leave off on TV to your tablet or phone. A more reliable continuity between the iterations of the app will make reading a little easier, and ensure that newer readers won't become frustrated and quit.

The way the service has been marketed, it looks like DC Universe will be focusing on its television and film properties first and foremost, with the comics simply an added bonus. Hopefully, this doesn't mean the reading interface is an afterthought. There won't be an expansive comic book library, but the service has the potential to be a better functioning app than Marvel Unlimited, and thus and overall better experience, that will make watching and reading more enjoyable. Long-time fans may not be happy without a collection of back issues, but a well-functioning app is the next best thing. Let's hope DC can make good on a promising start, and eventually give the people what they really want the most—unlimited DC Comics wherever they go.