Dynamite Entertainment has added two more digital bundle sites in its efforts to find new readers for its comics, bringing its total to four platforms, the broadest such program in comics.  It currently has bundle promotions running on StoryBundle and BitTorrent Bundle, featuring massive collections of digital content for low prices, or in some cases, free.  

“There are always discussions in the market of ways to grow the industry, and some reward existing fans as well as bringing in new fans.” Dynamite CEO and Publisher Nick Barrucci told ICv2. “Free Comic Day is a great example.  You have the ability to bring in new fans, but you also reward existing fans and you, as a publisher, have the ability to convince existing fans to try more of your titles.  It's the biggest reason to do this [bundles].  We put a lot behind each promotion, and we hope to get new readers each and every time.”

Dynamite has previously offered digital bundles on both Humble Bundle (see “New Dynamite Humble Bundle Benefits CBLDF, Other Charities”) and Groupees (see “New Dynamite Groupees Bundle Benefits CBLDF”).  The first Humble Bundle generated 31,172 orders, Barrucci said.  “The second Humble Bundle ran from December 10th through to the 24th, and even though it was over the holidays we did a very solid 23,702 orders.”   The response on Groupees was more modest but still significant, with 2,610 bundles sold.

Asked whether he could track conversion to purchases through other channels, Barrucci indicated that making the direct connection was hard, but that he believed it was working.  “It's hard to judge as it's all digital without any form of ‘bounce back' for consumers,” he said.  “There seems to be a ‘lift’ of getting new sales."

Like Dynamite, Humble Bundle execs believe there is a connection between customers for digital bundles and a later purchase.  “People have literally told me, ‘I discovered this series, I loved it. I actually went out and bought the entire collection in both the digital and print,’" Humble Bundle Director of Books Kelley L. Allen told ICv2 (see “Interview:  Humble Bundle and Comics”).

The BitTorrent Dynamite Mega Bundle features 30 comics for free.  There is also a “Pay What You Want” option with a $6.00 minimum for over 170 comics. The Dynamite Ultimate Heroes  StoryBundle (link included in the hope that purchasers will donate to the CBLDF) features almost 100 digital comics and graphic novels with a "Pay What You Want" option for more content beginning at $5.00. Bonus content is available for a payment of $15.00 or more.  There is also an option to donate 10% of the proceeds to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and Girls Write Now charities.