Zuda Web Shuts Down – Now Only on mobile devices!

Zuda has now shut down its webcomic format – with only the DC/Comixology apps showing Zuda talent!

Last week DC Comics took a much anticipated second step into the world of digital publishing with the simultaneous launch of the official DC Comics iPhone/iPad App (powered by comiXology) and participation inSony’s Playstation Network. I say second step because, as most Zuda fans know, we made our first step back in 2007 when DC Comics tasked us with a project that would evolve into ZUDA COMICS. Part webcomics collective, part community, part competition, all experimental; Zuda was an unique and ambitiously creative project, albeit an occasionally clunky one.

Recently we ended our competition format and put submissions on hold. And now, effective today, www.zudacomics.com will be shut down.

Why?

The submissions question is simple: It is the new DC Co-Publishers’ plan to expand submissions beyond just Zuda Comics and the Online group into a larger, more comprehensive system that covers all of DC Comics’ wide variety of needs, skills and interests. Jim and Dan are very excited about bringing in and developing new talent so look for more information about that from them as plans develop.

As for the site, from here on out, Zuda Comics will be folded into DC Comics’ exciting, new Digital Publishing initiative. Expect more Zuda series to be released through the DC Comics and comiXology Apps, the Sony PSP and on both the comiXology website and, eventually, the main DC Comics website as well. You’ll be able to read all of your digital editions and manage your entire library in one place, whether DCU, Vertigo, WildStorm or Zuda. The goal there is convergence of technology and convergence of editorial.

In these past two and a half years, I’m very proud to say that Zuda series and creators have had some outstanding critical successes. Ilias Kyriazis’ MELODY was nominated for a Friends of Lulu Award for Best Female Character, Andy Belanger got the nod for the Shuster Award for Webcomics, SUPERTRON, HIGH MOON, THE NIGHT OWLS and THE BLACK CHERRY BOMBSHELLS were nominated for a combined total of seven Harvey Awards, including the win for best Online Comic by HIGH MOON, and BAYOU took home a record-breaking number of Glyph Awards, recognition by the American Library Association and is currently up for coveted Eisner Award for Best Webcomic!   Clearly the experiment was yielding fantastic creative achievements and now, new fans coming to DC through our apps and through the Sony Playstation Network will get a chance to read what the rest of us have known about since Zuda’s launch.

I think if there’s one thing that the Zuda Comics community shares is the belief that nothing lasts forever – submissions get rejected, competitors don’t win, stories end. We try stuff, hopefully we learn stuff, we change stuff and still the experiment continues.  Zudacomics.com may have come to an end today but the award-winning series will live on and without a doubt, the discussion and lessons learned these past two and a half years will continue to inform, shape and fuel the development of DC’s future digital plans and initiatives.

*Sigh* – DC: One step forward, two steps back!
What follows are the reactions from Zuda creators on Twitter:

brockheasley Well, I just got the worst news of the year. about 1 hour ago via TweetDeck

Seriously, this is disappointment on the level you would not believe. about 1 hour ago via TweetDeck

DavidGallaher And the started so nicely too about 1 hour ago via Twitter for iPhone

RobertThePlant @brockheasley you OK? about 1 hour ago via Twitter for iPhone in reply to brockheasley

DavidGallaher Oh … Thursday. You started so nicely. about 1 hour ago via Twitter for iPhone

brockheasley @RobertThePlant I’ll be fine. And everyone will know what’s up soon enough. Just waiting for someone else to break the story. about 1 hour ago via TweetDeck

brockheasley @DavidGallaher Not you too though, right? about 1 hour ago via TweetDeck in reply to DavidGallaher

DavidGallaher @brockheasley: no, but e-mail me at David @ davidgallaher dot com about 1 hour ago via Twitter for iPhone

ValerieDOrazio Oh good gravy. That’s all I’m going to say. Sheesh. about 1 hour ago via Echofon

brockheasley Hey, remember #MONSTERPLEX ? Good comic, right? http://bit.ly/cwpHxX #zuda about 1 hour ago via TweetDeck

JohnnyZito Take a good. long. look. http://BlackCherryBombshells.com & http://LaMorteSisters.com about 1 hour ago via web Retweeted by tonytrov

mdevito Very proud of my #MONSTERPLEX co-creators @brockheasley and Dave for what they accomplished. http://bit.ly/cwpHxX #zuda 39 minutes ago via Echofon Retweeted by brockheasley

nortoons I’m very sorry to hear about DC canning so many great Zuda artists and writers. Especially my city-mate, @brockheasley. Rough break :( 37 minutes ago via web

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