A new digital comic and manga platform, Neon Ichiban, is set to launch this summer, promising to revolutionize how fans access, collect, and engage with their favorite titles. Founded by industry veterans David Steinberger and Chip Mosher, both formerly of ComiXology, Neon Ichiban aims to create a unified global audience for comics and manga. With partnerships already secured with major publishers like Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, and Kodansha, the platform is poised to become a significant player in the digital comics landscape.
What is Neon Ichiban?
Neon Ichiban is envisioned as more than just a digital storefront; it’s a comprehensive platform designed for reading, buying, selling, and collecting digital comics and manga. Steinberger and Mosher are leveraging their experience at ComiXology and their current venture, DSTLRY, to build a service that addresses the evolving needs of both fans and creators. The platform will offer new weekly releases from industry giants, an extensive backlist of titles, and unique features that cater to the growing demand for digital collectibles.
Key Features and Benefits
- Extensive Catalog: Neon Ichiban will launch with a wide range of content from Marvel, DC, Dark Horse Comics, Kodansha, Oni Press, Vault Comics, and DSTLRY. This includes both new releases available on the same day as print and an ever-expanding backlist of fan favorites.
- Digital Collectibles: In partnership with participating publishers, Neon Ichiban will offer digital signatures and remarques from top creators. These unique items can be collected, traded, and resold on the Neon Ichiban Marketplace, adding value to digital purchases.
- Seamless Digital Control: Readers can access their comics online or offline and download local copies when the publisher allows.
- Marketplace for Buying and Selling: The platform will feature a marketplace where fans can buy and sell owned digital comics and collectibles, with resales benefitting both publishers and creators.
- Creator Engagement: Neon Ichiban aims to provide creators with tools to connect directly with their audience, fostering a closer relationship between creators and fans.
The Vision Behind Neon Ichiban
David Steinberger, CEO and co-founder of Neon Ichiban, emphasizes that the platform is “devoted to bringing reading and collectability to a united global audience for comics and manga.” He sees it as “the next evolution of digital comics,” empowering fans with access, control, and engagement.
Chip Mosher, CCO and co-founder, adds that Neon Ichiban bridges digital convenience and collectability, giving fans true ownership while supporting creators. He believes this platform isn’t just a revolution for comics but sets a new standard for digital content across all media.
Major Publishers On Board
Neon Ichiban has garnered significant attention due to its impressive lineup of launch partners. Here’s a closer look at some of the major publishers joining the platform:
Marvel Comics
Marvel Entertainment, a cornerstone of the comic book industry, is bringing its extensive catalog of superhero titles to Neon Ichiban. Fans can expect to find a wide selection of Marvel’s iconic characters and storylines, from Spider-Man and the X-Men to the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy.
DC Comics
DC Comics, another industry titan, is also partnering with Neon Ichiban. This means readers will have access to DC’s legendary heroes and villains, including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and the Justice League. The availability of both Marvel and DC content on a single platform is a significant draw for comic book enthusiasts.
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics, known for its diverse range of creator-owned and licensed properties, is also on board. While Dark Horse shut down its own digital comics platform in February 2025, its partnership with Neon Ichiban ensures that its titles will remain accessible to digital readers. Dark Horse is known for titles such as Hellboy, Sin City and Umbrella Academy.
Kodansha
Kodansha, a leading publisher of manga in Japan and North America, is a key partner for Neon Ichiban. With a focus on Asian manga and manwa, Kodansha’s participation underscores Neon Ichiban’s commitment to serving a global audience. Kodansha Manga (formerly Kodansha Comics) is the North American imprint responsible for localizing and publishing Kodansha’s manga.
The End of Dark Horse Digital
The announcement of Neon Ichiban comes shortly after Dark Horse Comics shut down its digital comics platform, Dark Horse Digital, in February 2025. This closure left many readers seeking alternative ways to access Dark Horse’s extensive library of titles. Neon Ichiban provides a new avenue for fans to enjoy Dark Horse comics in a digital format.
A Shift in Strategy for Dark Horse
The closure of Dark Horse Digital reflects a broader trend in the digital comics market, with publishers reevaluating their direct-to-consumer strategies. While Dark Horse Digital offered a curated selection of titles, it faced challenges in competing with larger platforms like ComiXology and Amazon. By partnering with Neon Ichiban, Dark Horse can focus on content creation while leveraging Neon Ichiban’s platform and technology to reach a wider audience.
Competing in the Digital Comics Landscape
Neon Ichiban enters a competitive digital comics market that includes established players like Amazon’s ComiXology, GlobalComix and soon Sweet Shop. Each platform offers a unique approach to digital comics distribution, with varying content libraries, pricing models, and features.
ComiXology
ComiXology, acquired by Amazon in 2014, is one of the largest digital comics platforms, offering a vast selection of titles from major publishers and independent creators. However, ComiXology has faced criticism in recent years for its integration with Amazon’s Kindle ecosystem, which some users find less user-friendly than the original ComiXology app.
GlobalComix
GlobalComix is a subscription-based platform that offers unlimited access to a wide range of comics and manga from independent creators and publishers. GlobalComix focuses on providing a diverse and inclusive catalog, with a strong emphasis on creator-owned content.
Sweet Shop
Sweet Shop is an upcoming digital comics platform focused on indie publishers, including Image Comics and IDW. It is expected to debut later this summer.
Neon Ichiban’s Unique Approach
Neon Ichiban aims to differentiate itself through its focus on collectability, creator engagement, and a unified global audience. The platform’s marketplace for buying and selling digital comics and collectibles is a unique feature that could attract collectors and investors. Additionally, Neon Ichiban’s commitment to providing creators with tools to connect directly with their audience could foster a stronger sense of community and loyalty.
Kodansha: A Manga Powerhouse
Kodansha’s partnership with Neon Ichiban brings a wealth of manga content to the platform. Kodansha is one of the largest publishing companies in Japan, with a vast catalog of popular manga series.
Kodansha Manga’s Impact
Kodansha Manga, the North American imprint of Kodansha, has played a significant role in popularizing manga in the West. The company publishes a wide range of genres, from action and adventure to romance and slice-of-life. Kodansha Manga is known for titles such as Attack on Titan, Sailor Moon, and A Silent Voice.
Kodansha’s Digital Strategy
Kodansha has been proactive in embracing digital distribution, making its manga titles available on various platforms, including ComiXology, Kindle, and now Neon Ichiban. By partnering with Neon Ichiban, Kodansha can further expand its reach and connect with a global audience of manga fans.
The Future of Digital Comics
The launch of Neon Ichiban marks an exciting development in the digital comics market. As digital distribution continues to evolve, platforms like Neon Ichiban are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, offering new ways for fans to access, collect, and engage with their favorite comics and manga. With its impressive lineup of launch partners, innovative features, and experienced leadership team, Neon Ichiban is well-positioned to become a major player in the digital comics landscape.
Fans interested in learning more about Neon Ichiban can visit the official website and sign up for updates. By creating an account before the platform launches this summer, users can receive a free digital collectible comic. This is a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor of what promises to be a game-changing platform for digital comic and manga enthusiasts.
