comixology
Latest
Comics on the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet hands-on (video)
Way back in 2000, cartoonist turned comics theorist Scott McCloud discussed infinite canvas in his book Reinventing Comics. The concept, simply put, is that electronic mediums afford artists an infinite space on which to create their work. Cartoonists should, therefore, take advantage of this new found freedom. Of course, old media companies don't operate that way, and for the past decade or so, the quest has revolved around finding the most ideal way to repurpose existing comics formats for new devices. The clunky interaction and relative lack of portability made PCs less than ideal methods for this consumption. On the flip side, smartphones are just too small for anything but a panel-by-panel reading. Devoted e-readers, meanwhile, didn't do much better, thanks to slow rendering grayscale e-ink screens. The iPad hit the sweet spot, with its portable form factor and large, vivid display. The charge was led by Comixology, through its devoted app and market and apps designed for the industry's largest publishers, Marvel and DC. Reading comics on a device was finally easy enough to convince many physical media devotees make the leap to the digital realm. There are still some roadblocks, however: for one thing, there's that whole $500 starting price. If your primary objective in picking up a tablet is reading comics, that's certainly enough to dissuade all but the richiest of riches.
Image Comics joins the ComiXology banner
ComiXology has grabbed yet another major comic book publisher for its iOS app, this time recruiting Image Comics to publish to the digital platform day and date with the paper releases. The app has already landed both DC and Marvel in publishing agreements, so adding the Image stable of comics to the mix really rounds out the selections. ComiXology will publish Image's comics same day on the iOS and Android apps, as well as in digital form on the company's website. And Image will use ComiXology's tech to power its own digital website, as well as run its own branded iOS app. That's good new for fans of Chew, The Infinite, The Walking Dead, or any of the other comic books currently being published under the Image Comics heading. And it's also good news for ComiXology, which is slowly building up a comic book digital publishing empire, all built on Apple's iOS platform. The company is slowly expanding its operations beyond the App Store's borders, but there's no doubt at all that much of its success is predicated on the original App Store app (one of the first comic book readers on iPhone and later on the iPad). There's been a lot of talk about the battle between ink and paper publishers and the new digital publishing industry, but ComiXology is right out there on the front lines, and appears to be doing quite well. Update: Just to clarify, Image already had a few comics in the ComiXology system. But the fact that the entire line is now day and date is the news here.
ComiXology launches version 3.0
ComiXology has been all over the App Store, delivering comics for both DC and Marvel in their various official apps. But the company has been doing some work on its home app lately as well: Comics by ComiXology version 3.0 has hit the App Store, and brings with it a whole slew of updates and new features for the app. Most notable is probably that the application has been completely redesigned, which means its faster to load and faster to run than ever, letting you get to your favorite comics even more quickly. The app also can do background downloading of comics, and can pause or prioritize certain downloads so you can make sure to get the new issue you want right away. There are also features to get you to the next comic in a series, even if you don't yet own it, and despite the redesign, all of the old app's mainstays are still in there. There's a nice video walkthrough of the new app hosted by CEO David Steinberger that will show off for you exactly what's new and even give some insight as to why things were designed the way they were. Comics is a universal app free in the App Store right now, and then you can buy comics in the app via in-app purchase. Well worth a look, even if you've used it before.
Bone comic now available on Comixology
Jeff Smith's Bone comic is one of my favorite series ever -- it skillfully combines an epic fantasy story with some hilarious cartoon characters, making for a really solid tale that will appeal to all kinds of readers. And now the series is fully available in a digital format for the first time, thanks to iOS app developer Comixology. Comixology has been making a lot of great deals on their Comics app, and this Bone deal, selling all 55 issues of the series for just a buck each, is one of the better ones they've made lately. The first issue of the series is also up for a free download, and another series by creator Jeff Smith called Rasl is also available, with the first issue for free, and subsequent issues on sale until July 19th. We knew a lot time ago that comics on the iPad would be one of the tablet's greatest assets, and the Comixology app has a lot of great funnies to read, from all kinds of different publishers. The app is free on the App Store right now.
Official DC Comics app is live
ComiXology has done it again. First the Marvel Comics app was released, powered by the company's familiar engine, and then one recently for BOOM! Studios. Now DC Comics has finally released its own app, running on ComiXology's familiar interface. So far the DC store's offerings are rather slim, especially when you take into account all of the titles the publisher handles. Most of the titles available are the more recent ones, such as Green Lantern: Rebirth and Frank Miller's Batman. One very awesome offering of note in the store: Neil Gaiman's Sandman; it's only one issue so far, but that's a much better start than zero. ComiXology also has their own comics app and, just as the DC, Marvel and BOOM! apps are, it is free. Some of the same titles offered in the individual comics apps are available within the ComiXology app, though you can only get DC titles within their official app. [Update: ComiXology's official app was just updated with a specific DC Comics section.]
comiXology releases MobileSafari interface for comic browsing
Macenstein has posted about a cool feature from comiXology for us comic book geeks out there. They're created an iPhone MobileSafari (have to remember that the Touch is out there now) interface for their database of the latest comic book releases. It looks great, allows users to browse both the current and following week's releases in a touchscreen-specific interface. It also displays summaries and cover art for every book on the list. It's like browsing a comic store without actually being there (unless you are actually in a comic store while you use it-- in which case, whoa, I'd have to sit down for a while, that's heavy).While we're at it, I'm currently poking around for comic book collection software for the Mac (the folks are selling their house, and they asked me to clear the old collection out of their closet). So far, it seems like Comics 2 is the pick of the litter. Does anyone want to share a good tip on an app that will help me organize the few boxes of books I've got? I would love if Delicious Library did it, but while I'm sure it could handle my graphic novels, I doubt it would be able to do individual issues. Anyone have a recommendation?
