Why did comic publishers begin releasing digital comics?

Publishers such as Marvel and DC began releasing comics in digital formats primarily to complement their print sales.1

The transition toward digital distribution was part of a broader evolution in the industry as publishers sought to adapt to a changing media landscape. In the late 1990s, the traditional comic book market faced a commercial crisis, with declining sales and the closure of many shops, partly due to increased competition for the juvenile market from video games, computer games, and the internet. By establishing an online presence, publishers were able to maintain visibility and reach audiences in new ways, with some titles appearing exclusively on the internet.2

While digital formats serve as a complement to print, the industry has also been sustained by the growth of specialized comic shops and the popularity of collected editions and graphic novels in mainstream bookstores.12