Comic book publishers are facing a never before the crisis. The tough competition from digital industry and the lack of reading interest from readers are the main reasons for bringing down sales of comic books. Hoping to reverse the trend, publishers are creating their own digital platforms to directly connect with readers and encourage more engagement from fans. The goal is to reach readers who may not live near a comic book shop but want to keep up with the Avengers and the Justice League. Experts say the direct-to-consumer model also helps compete with streaming services like Netflix and Amazon’s Prime Video.

One of the biggest direct-to-consumer efforts is DC Universe, a platform from DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Digital Networks that will offer streaming content, including original and classic TV series. DC Universe is a huge opportunity that offers ultimate creative control said Jim Lee, a co-publisher of DC Entertainment.  He also added that it allows you to look at wider adaptations of the source material. Taking advantage of that freedom, DC is planning six new series, starting with “Titans,” a dark tale about a band of young heroes. Also in the works is the horror-themed “Swamp Thing” and two animated shows, one featuring the character Harley Quinn, a fan favorite.

Several movies and TV series from the Warner Bros. library will be added to the lineup, including the four “Superman” movies starring Christopher Reeve, “Wonder Woman” with Lynda Carter and Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight.” Jim Lee also added that within the app, there will be all different kinds of content aimed at all ages of fans

DC announced the details at Comic-Con International, the annual comic book convention in San Diego. Membership will be $8 a month, roughly in line with other stand-alone streaming services, and also includes access to digital comic books and exclusive merchandise. The initiative comes at a challenging time for the comic book industry. The market declined 6.5 percent in 2017, according to estimates by ICv2 and Comichron, an industry analysis site. Total sales of comics and graphic novels in the United States and Canada were $1.015 billion in 2017, down $70 million from 2016. Comic book publishers are quick to point out that their initiatives are intended to augment retail sales, not cannibalize them. In fact, DC recently announced a deal to reprint comic books and sell them in more than 3,000 Walmart stores nationwide.

Dan DiDio, the other co-publisher of DC Entertainment, said that if the program is successful, they hoped to broaden it to include other retailers.

Faced with sluggish sales, comic book publishers can use the direct-to-consumer efforts to create a stronger relationship with their readers. Smaller comic book publishers are testing their own direct-to-consumer platforms. Image Comics, the publisher of popular titles like The Walking Dead and Saga, started a direct-to-consumer platform in 2015 to sell comic book subscriptions and apparel.