Movies based on Green Lantern, Thor, Captain America, and the X-Men are all due out this year, but it looks like Hollywood executives arena4��a4�t the only investors taking a close look at comic books. Graphicly, a startup behind an application for buying and reading digital comics, just announced that it has raised $3 million in its first round of institutional funding.

2010 was a big year for digital comics launches, with startup ComiXology probably attracting the most attention for its Marvel and DC Comics iPad apps. But chief executive Micah Baldwin said in July that Graphicly was aiming beyond the iPad &8212' it now has applications for Windows 7, Adobe Air, iPhone, iPad, Windows 7 Phone, Android, and the Google Chrome Web Store. And it has signed deals with publishers including Marvel, Archie Comics, IDW Publishing, and Boom Studios.

Users have downloaded the Graphicly app 600,000 times and spend an average of 20 minutes per visit, Baldwin told me yesterday. With the new funding, he plans to expand the application beyond just being a store and a reader: a4��AImagine clicking on a spot within a comic and launching a casual game or video that truly extends the story.a4���

The round was led by DFJ Mercury, with participation from 500 Startups (the a4��Asuper angela4��� fund from well-known investor Dave McClure), Dundee VC, Ludlow Ventures, and individual angel investors. The Boulder, Colo. startup was incubated by TechStars and previously raised $1.2 million from DFJ Mercury and others.

Next Story: Hollywood and tech leaders invest in GeekChicDaily Previous Story: 5 reasons you should care about the flexible workforce

Print Email Twitter Facebook Google Buzz LinkedIn Digg StumbleUpon Reddit Delicious Google More&8230'

Companies: 500 Startups, DFJ Mercury, Graphicly, Ludlow Ventures

People: Dave McClure, Micah Baldin

Companies: 500 Startups, DFJ Mercury, Graphicly, Ludlow Ventures

People: Dave McClure, Micah Baldin

Anthony is a senior editor at VentureBeat, as well as its reporter on media, advertising, and social networks. Before joining the site in 2008, Anthony worked at the Hollister Free Lance, where he won awards from the California Newspaper Publishers Association for breaking news coverage and writing. He attended Stanford University and now lives in San Francisco. Reach him at anthony@venturebeat.com. (All story pitches should also be sent to tips@venturebeat.com) You can also follow Anthony on Twitter.

Have news to share Launching a startup Email: tips@venturebeat.com

VentureBeat has new weekly email newsletters. Stay on top of the news, and don't miss a beat.