Comic Book apps

2023. Amazon is merging Comixology into Kindle



Amazon has revealed plans to merge the Comixology and Kindle applications on iOS, Android, and Fire OS starting December 4, 2023. Books previously purchased on Comixology will now automatically appear in your Kindle app library. While the enhanced Kindle app experience is currently accessible, users can still read their books in the Comixology app until the merger on December 4, 2023. To locate comics and manga in the Kindle app, users can simply utilize the 'Comics & Manga' filter, tailoring their library to display only these genres. Alternatively, the 'Books' filter allows users to view their library without comics, graphic novels, and manga titles. Additionally, the option to hide individual comics, graphic novels, and manga is available by long-pressing a title and selecting 'Hide Book,' with the hidden books accessible through the library filter menu by selecting 'Hidden.' Further details about the upcoming changes can be found here.


2023. DC Universe Infinite unveils Manga Reader



DC Universe Infinite, the digital comics service, is making a splash in the comic industry with the introduction of an exciting new manga-reader feature. This addition caters to the growing demand for manga content and offers users an immersive reading experience. The manga-reader is specifically designed to suit the unique reading style of Japanese manga. Now, users can effortlessly flip pages or swipe panels from right to left, mimicking the traditional manga format. This intuitive and immersive feature aims to captivate manga fans by delivering an authentic manga experience through a digital medium. In line with popular practices in the manga industry, DC Universe Infinite is also embracing the serialization of stories. Inspired by successful manga websites and webtoon platforms, DC plans to release chapters of upcoming stories on its digital service before printing them. This serialized approach not only generates excitement among readers but also enables DC to gauge audience response and adapt storytelling accordingly.

2022. ComiXology to get integrated into Amazon Kindle



ComiXology became an Amazon acquisition eight years ago but remained an independent entity. However, significant changes are on the horizon. One such change includes a new policy that prohibits the download of DRM-free comics, and additionally, the integration of the ComiXology app into the Kindle app. The retirement of the ComiXology app is imminent, as it will be fully incorporated into the primary Kindle app for Android and iOS platforms. To assist users with the transition and comic viewing, a FAQ page has been created. Furthermore, the Kindle app has been enhanced to include the panel-by-panel 'Guided View' feature.


2021. You can now read Comixolgy comics on the Kindle app and e-readers



Users of Comixology now have the ability to read digital comics from the platform using the Kindle app on both Android and iOS devices. By default, this feature is not enabled, but you can activate it by clicking on "Show your comiXology books" in the comiXology settings page. Afterward, you can simply refresh your library in the Kindle app by pulling down or tapping on "More" and then selecting "Sync." This will display your library comics. If you wish to hide your comiXology purchases on Kindle, you can choose the option "Hide your comiXology books" in the comiXology settings page. For those who prefer reading Comixology comics on a Kindle e-reader, you can navigate to the Content and Devices page, select the desired book, and opt to either deliver or remove it from your registered devices. It is worth noting that due to memory limitations, Comixology recommends sending fewer than 25 books to your e-reader device at a time. Additionally, it is advisable to remove the book from your device once you have finished reading it, as the file sizes can be quite substantial.


2021. Bibliotheca Cloud Library now offers comic books



The Bibliotheca Cloud Library has entered into a partnership with ComicsPlus, a platform offering access to a vast collection of over 20,000 digital comics, graphic novels, and manga. This offering is now available for libraries worldwide to purchase. ComicsPlus provides curated collections of age-appropriate digital comics for both adult and juvenile readers. Its catalogue includes popular titles such as Avatar: The Last Airbender & The Legend of Korra, Big Nate, Bone, Disney Princesses, Geronimo Stilton, Stranger Things, Locke & Key, American Gods, and noteworthy nonfiction works like March and They Called Us Enemy. With its wide reach, Bibliotheca Cloud Library serves as an excellent alternative to Overdrive, empowering over 30,000 libraries across 20 countries.


2019. DC Comics now available on Prime Reading and Kindle Unlimited



Amazon has recently reached an agreement with DC Comics, resulting in the availability of select titles on Comixology Unlimited, Kindle Unlimited, and Prime Reading. This development greatly facilitates the enjoyment of DC's Super Heroes by Amazon customers. Comixology Unlimited now offers thousands of chosen DC single issues, collections, and graphic novels, including exclusive fan-favorites from the DC Vertigo imprint, all for $5.99 per month with a 30-day free trial for new members. Kindle Unlimited members will also have access to a variety of single issues, collections, and graphic novels, while Prime Reading subscribers can enjoy a curated and rotating collection of highly regarded DC and DC Vertigo graphic novels at no extra cost. This expansion across the three services presents excellent entry points for newcomers to explore the world of DC and DC Vertigo.


2018. Kobo app gets new comic viewer



The Kobo app for iOS has recently undergone a significant update, particularly beneficial for digital comic readers. This update introduces a brand new comic viewer, granting users the flexibility to read comics both horizontally and vertically. Moreover, it offers convenient navigation options, allowing readers to browse through pages or view comics in a grid format. An interesting addition is the ability to open comics even before they are fully downloaded. Additionally, the update includes an animated page-turning feature, providing users with a sneak peek of what awaits on the next page. It's worth noting that while Kobo does not boast an extensive selection of comics, as most of their content comes from their Writing Life self-publishing platform, their catalog lacks offerings from major publishers such as DC, Image, and Marvel. Given this, it seems peculiar that Kobo is expanding its comic book support while their collection remains limited.


2016. Comixology launched Unlimited Comic Book Service



Comixology has recently introduced an exciting digital comic subscription service. For a monthly fee of $5.99, subscribers gain access to a diverse collection of comics and graphic novels. Numerous renowned publishers have joined this initiative, including Image Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, BOOM! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, Kodansha Comics, Oni Press, Valiant Entertainment, Archie Comics, Fantagraphics Books, Humanoids, Action Lab Entertainment, Aspen Comics, Zenescope Entertainment, and more. Notably, Marvel has opted out of participating in this new program, as they operate their own service called Marvel Unlimited. Similarly, DC is currently not involved and is yet to develop their own solution.


2016. Kindle for PC allows to read children’s books and comic books



Kindle users can now enjoy the experience of reading comic books and kids' books directly on their Kindle for PC, representing a significant milestone as it eliminates the need for Amazon hardware or specific smartphone apps. Following Amazon's acquisition of Comixology, the largest digital distributor of comic books, in 2014, they have gradually integrated the vast array of content into the Kindle store. This expansion includes comics from renowned publishers like DC and Marvel, in addition to partnerships with numerous publishers worldwide. With this update, users who have purchased kids' or comic books directly from Amazon can now access and read them on Kindle for PC or Kindle for MAC, requiring a simple update for those who already have the apps installed.


2015. Google improved Comic Book reading in Play Books for Android



Google has introduced an upgraded version of its Google Play Books app for Android, aiming to enhance the comic reading experience on smartphones and tablets. Traditionally, reading comics or graphic novels on small screens has presented challenges. However, with the new reading experience on Android (with iOS support arriving soon), users can now enjoy an improved landscape mode. In this mode, a simple vertical swipe allows for seamless scrolling through the story, providing a more convenient and immersive reading experience. Additionally, Google has implemented personalized comic recommendations to help users discover similar series, along with curated series pages within the Play Store specifically for comics, making it easier to explore and find new titles of interest.


2015. Scribd adds 10,000 comic books for unlimited subscription



For those who already enjoy unlimited access to a vast library of e-books and audiobooks for $8.99 a month, Scribd has exciting news to share today—it is expanding into the world of comic books. The service is introducing over 10,000 comics and graphic novels from renowned publishers such as Marvel, Archie, Boom! Studios, Dynamite, IDW/Top Shelf, and Valiant. Available on iOS, Android, and the web, the subscription service now offers readers the opportunity to explore comic books and graphic novels through various categories, publishers, and even key characters. To enhance the user experience, Scribd employs a dedicated team of marketing and editorial professionals who curate collections on the platform. With this expansion, Scribd continues to provide a diverse and engaging reading experience to its subscribers.


2014. ComiXology starts offering DRM-free backups of its digital comics



Digital comics platform comiXology, which was acquired by Amazon in April, has introduced a new feature that allows users to download DRM-free backups of titles from select publishers. These backups can be stored and read offline at the user's convenience. Upon purchase, eligible comics can be downloaded as PDF or CBZ files (a compressed format for comic books). However, it's important to note that major comic book publishers like Marvel and DC have not made their titles available in DRM-free formats. Nevertheless, smaller publishers such as Image Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, and MonkeyBrain Comics have opted to participate in this offering. Additionally, authors who utilize comiXology's self-publishing platform, comiXology Submit, have the choice to make their titles available in DRM-free formats.


2014. Amazon acquires comic book ecosystem Comixology



Amazon has made an announcement regarding their acquisition of comiXology, a renowned service that offers digital versions of comics from major publishers such as Marvel and DC. Often described as the iTunes/Kindle Store for comic books, comiXology provides an online store where users can purchase comics and subsequently read them either via their web platform or through the company's iOS/Android apps. With an extensive catalog, comiXology currently offers over 50,000 comics for sale. In 2013, the company introduced a self-publishing platform for comic creators, allowing them to upload and sell their own work. This strategic move aligns with Amazon's own self-publishing initiatives for books. ComiXology CEO David Steinberger has confirmed the news, assuring that the company will maintain its brand identity and continue operating as a subsidiary of Amazon.


2013. Comic Zeal 5.2 gets new engine and locking options



The new version Comic Zeal 5.2 features a lot of internal changes, including a big update to the code that shows you menus but there is only one really new feature and that is locking. Locking of Series in Comic Zeal and Pages and Notebooks in ThinkBook has been a very requested feature. The developer has implemented a very simple system that just stops these items from being opened in the app. You can use the options menu for a comic series, page or notebook to apply a lock to it. Then, whenever you want to open that item again you will have to enter a 4 digit passcode. The passcode is the same for all locked entries and you can set or change it through the application options menu. There is also a fairly lightweight system to reset the passcode which uses iTunes file sharing to import a particular file. When that's done the passcode will be reset.