As hinted in the presentation by Marvel Studios Chairman David Maisel last week (see “Direct Market Share of Marvel Dropping”), Marvel is taking a new tack with its digital comics initiatives, and has announced that it will be offering Web-only comic series through its subscription-based Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited service. 

The first two series, produced “under the guidance of Marvel Studios,” will be tied into Marvel Studios’ theatrical (and soon) DVD releases from 2008—Iron Man and Incredible Hulk.  Both will launch roughly two weeks before the corresponding DVD release:  Iron Man on September 17th (DVD release September 30th), and Incredible Hulk on October 8th (DVD release October 21st). 

Marvel is promising digital-only exclusives on Wednesdays, at the rate of three or more per month. 

Marvel has also produced one-shot Webcomic stories tied into comic series, produced by Marvel editorial.  For example, there's currently a story tied into Weapon X:  First Class #1 which is available only to Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited subscribers.  That story will be put on Marvel's free public site next week.  A similar story was published on the Web for Secret Invasion #1.