Favorite Four: Comic Reading Apps
iOS devices are great for using as e-readers, iPads in particular. Besides being great for reading books and novels, they're also ideal for comic book reading. Whether you've been reading comics for decades, or just discovering the magic within for the first time, here's a look at four of our favorite apps for enjoying some of the best comics and graphic novels out there.
Comics
From Comixology, Comics offers a huge wealth of comic books. With a 30,000+ library of books, it's the comic equivalent of iTunes which is pretty awesome indeed. There's something for everyone's taste here, with Marvel and DC residing happily alongside Disney, The Walking Dead, Star Trek and even My Little Pony. It's simple to browse around and a web-based interface ensures purchases can be read anywhere.
Marvel Unlimited
For those keen to buy individual comic books, Marvel Comics has things covered. For others who signed up to a Marvel Unlimited subscription and had to be restricted to only browsing on a PC or Mac, this recent app is a huge help. It's not the finest of apps to navigate (although it works much better on the iPad), but the sheer wealth of comic books that can be read while on the move and for a fairly low annual fee, it's well worth a look. It's kept me entertained on many a journey, as helped by the read offline feature.
Comics Unlimited
Offering a little bit of everything, amongst a subscription service and a way to check out freebies, Comics Unlimited is a jack of all trades. Archie, CSI, Transformers, Dragon Age and Grimm Fairy Tales all happily reside together on this service and flexible subscription options make it all the more appealing. It's simple to browse too, with intuitive controls and an attractive layout.
VIZ Manga
We've focused a lot on Western comic books, but there are plenty of great apps for Manga fans too. VIZ Manga is one of the best, providing a similar experience to Comics but with a focus on Manga. Naruto, Bleack, Death Note, Dragon Ball and many more are available here, with monthly free previews ensuring it's easy to find something new to entice one in.
