• by Mark Walsh  @markfwal, December 12, 2011

Barnes & Noble is bringing Netflix and Flixtser along with other new features to the Nook Color through its largest software update to date for the year-old device. In particular, the upgrade also adds Nook Comics, which Barnes & Noble touts as the largest third-party collection of Marvel Comics graphic novels.

The bookselling chain promises more than 100 feature enhancements overall including faster, easier access to content with more digital media services on the way. With the Nook Color priced the same as the Kindle Fire, at $199, Barnes & Noble clearly wants to make its tablet reader more competitive with the Amazon tablet by expanding its offerings. Where Amazon has an exclusive deal with DC Comics for the Kindle Fire, for instance, now the Nook Color can counter with Marvel collection.

Whether sales of the updated Nook Color could cannibalize the recently released Nook Tablet, priced at $249, is another question. Barnes & Noble has reportedly shipped a million Tablets since its mid-November launch, and increasing its initial order as a result of strong early sales.