Announced on EW.com the digital comic service, comiXology, has launched a new NETFLIX-style service that allows users to read unlimited digital comic books for a flat monthly fee.

comiXology Unlimited

Falling in-line with the already popular Marvel Unlimited all-you-can-eat digital comic book service, comiXology's 'Unlimited' service will provide access to a broader range of comic books. Marvel's service provides access to their own catalog of titles that are six months old. ComiXology looks to offer titles outside of 'the big two' such as independent companies like Dark Horse and Image.

The fee for comiXology Unlimited will be $5.99 a month to give users access to a plethora of independent titles such as:

• The Walking Dead
• Hellboy
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer
• Umbrella Academy
• And more...!

This should provide an increase in exposure for Indie companies as they continue their struggle for market share. The Unlimited subscription plan will allow new readers to experience a catalog of books they may otherwise overlook on the shelves of their local comic shop. Rather than pay $2.99 for one issue of an unfamiliar title, for just a few dollars more they can enjoy an expansive array of books to sample from. While many creators are wary of how this may affect their royalties, this is an attempt to open the flood gates for new readers to join the community.

It's the "I'd rather make $10 from ten people, than $100 from one" way of thinking.

ComiXology CEO, David Steinberger, told EW that the intent "...is to make everyone on the planet a comics fan". He's hoping that people view this as a "low-risk opportunity" to take their time and discover the genre for themselves.

There is one caveat to this offer, however. The service is currently not available outside the U.S. and there is no indication as to when that will change.

Users will have to create (if they haven't already) and merge their Amazon.com account with comiXology in order to suscribe. Why, you ask? Well their explanation under the FAQ's isn't very detailed:

Really boring tech mumbo jumbo. Suffice it to say this and other future features will need an Amazon.com account.

So if you're okay with the creating and/or merging your Amazon.com account, then you're in. I'd prefer a better explanation than that. If it's as simple as accessing the content from a Kindle...then why not just say so? If you're unsure whether or not to buy-in to the subscription service, they are currently offering a FREE 30-Day Trial.

It's nice to see comiXology follow in Marvel's footsteps with an Unlimited digital service. There are plenty of comic book fans, casual and hardcore alike, that aren't interested in stockpiling back issues by visiting their LCS (local comic shop) every month. As the digital age of comic books continues to evolve, the difference between the comic book reader and comic book collector will become dicernable.

Now we just need one more company to join the fray. I'm looking at you DC.