Dark Horse Comics has unfortunately announced that their Dark Horse Digital storefront has shuttered today, with downloads following in March.
In January 2011, Dark Horse Comics decided to introduce a new platform to house their staggering catalogue of comics, the internet. Since January 2011, Dark Horse has housed their comics in an online database for readers to access from their PC or smartphone, giving the avid fan an easier way to get the next issue without having to go to a local shop for their ‘pull list.’ Unfortunately, Dark Horse has announced their Dark Horse Digital storefront has closed today, locking out the ability to procure new issues for fan libraries.
Dark Horse’s official announcement reads, “Effective February 24, 2025, we have closed Dark Horse Digital. Sales are no longer offered on the DHD website. But, you can still log in and read the comics on your bookshelf.” Subsequently, the iOS applications for Dark Horse Comics and Plants vs. Zombies Comics will be taken down on March 31, 2025. Dark Horse recommends fans “download the books in their bookshelves by March 30” as Dark Horse cannot confirm users will be able to download books they have purchased after that date. Dark Horse Comics doesn’t mention anything regarding a refund process, or how readers can recoup purchases made before the Dark Horse Digital closing announcement.
In the Dark Horse Comics FAQ page regarding the Dark Horse Digital closure, the comic distributor responds to the question “Do I own the comics in my bookshelf?” with a resounding “Technically, you do not. As with Kindle, Nook, and other e-book companies, you license the right to read the book on supported and authorized devices.” So although readers have paid for the right to read comics, readers have never owned anything purchased with money on the Dark Horse Digital storefront.
Under the terms of service of the Digital library, Dark Horse claims “DHD grants you a limited, non-exclusive, and revocable license to use the Service only to the extent described on the Site, and to download and display Products on each of your devices under the applicable EULA for your own personal, non-commercial use. DHD and its licensors own and retain all intellectual property rights in the Service and the Products.”
In short, fans should download their entire DHD library before March 30, or they will likely lose all of their purchases. Readers with more questions can check out the Dark Horse Comics announcement or their FAQ page for more information.
