ComicFlow takes a free, simple, and open-source approach to reading digital comics. It’s probably the best place to start if you’re getting into digital comics, and it allows you to load up your iPad with .CBR, .CBZ and .PDF files before hitting the road. Organization is minimal — just put your comics into a folder, and they’ll be treated as a series.
The reader is polished, reliable, pleasant to use, and even allows you to transfer comics via WiFi using a web server (or WebDAV server) that runs on your iPad. To use it, ensure the server is started by visiting the app settings, then on your computer, visit the supplied URL to drag, drop, and manage your collection. Unfortunately the feature is limited to 50 transfers, after which you’ll need to pay $4.99 via in-app purchase.
With a focus on simplicity over features, ComicFlow provides a minimal toolset with which to read your collection of comic and graphic novel files. The app even promises to handle thousands of comics and tens of gigabytes of files without grinding to a halt.
Just like ComicFlow above, iComix is another completely free solution with an emphasis on minimalism rather than complex features or customization. The app literally has two themes (light and dark), a simple library with a few tools for organizing your collection, and it places its main emphasis on downloading comics from cloud storage.
There’s no handy WiFi transfer using a web browser, but if you’re using Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Box, or Pogoplug to store and download comics, this is the best free tool for the job, though you can also transfer files over iTunes File Transfer.
The app only supports .CBR and .CBZ files, so PDFs are out, but you can open supported files in iComix (from other apps) to automatically add them to your library.
YACReader literally stands for “Yet Another Comic Reader” and can be considered somewhat of a paid upgrade for those who need a little more than iComix or ComicFlow provides. The app supports .CBR, .CBZ, .ZIP and .RAR archives, and allows you to transfer your comics via Dropbox or iTunes File Transfer.
The app really shines when combined with the free desktop version of YACReader for Mac, Windows, and Linux. If you’ve got a large collection already being managed on your main machine, you can connect YACReader for iPad and peruse or download comics straight to your tablet without the need for iTunes or Dropbox.
YACReader is a step up in terms of customization options over free readers and even features a slick one-tap mode for quickly chewing through your favourite strips.
Highly customizable and polished, iComics is a solution just like YACReader for those who demand more from their comic book reader. As testament to this, iComics supports more document formats than any other reader, comfortably munching through .ZIP, .CBZ, .RAR, .CBR, .7ZIP, .CB7, .TAR, .CBT, .LZH, .LHA, .EPUB, and .PDF file types.
The app boasts some niche features including support for right-to-left reading, the ability to share individual comic pages over email and support for printing individual pages. You can organise your comics into collections and even restrict page zooming to cut off unsightly borders. iComics also places great emphasis on the reading experience, with “super smooth scrolling” between pages.
Unfortunately iComics is a bit of a let down in terms of transfer options, with iTunes File Sharing and importing from other apps the only ways of populating your collection. WiFi transfer via a Web browser would be nice!
A premium product that has been in development for six years, Comic Zeal is mature and rich in features but may seem bloated to those with few demands from a reader. The $4.99 price tag guarantees you a huge range of features, including powerful organization tools — perfect for keeping large numbers of comics at your disposal.
The app includes support for file transfer over WiFi using a Web browser, downloading from cloud services including Dropbox, Google Drive, and iCloud Drive, import via AirDrop and good old fashioned iTunes File Transfer. It’s worth mentioning that full WiFi transfer support in freebie ComicFlow will also set you back $5.
In addition to seemingly endless customization, Comic Zeal includes a power-user feature called “The Slider” which makes it easy to organise, create reading lists, reorder comics, and easily access other powerful functions. It might be expensive, but it’s packed with features.
comiXology is probably the most recognisable name in the digital comic book game, providing access to Marvel, DC, Image Comics, IDW, Disney and more. The only problem is you can’t currently buy them in-app, but you can add them to your wishlist and buy using a Web browser (Safari on your iPad) or from a desktop.
Why? Because Apple decided that if you want to offer purchases via an app, those purchases must be made through their infrastructure. As Apple swallows 30% of all purchases, comiXology chose to remove the functionality altogether. This doesn’t affect your ability to download all previously purchased items within the app, whenever you want.
Comics Plus is a service just like comiXology that sells digital editions from Dark Circle, DC, IDW, Valiant, Vertigo and many more. Comics Plus differentiates itself from the pack by offering additional graphic novel rentals for 24, 48, or 120 hours (though not all available titles are included).
All purchases take the form of in-app purchases, though you can also load the app up with your own comics as it has support for .EPUB, .PDF, .CBR and .CBZ via iTunes File Transfer. Comics Plus’ own “uView” comic assistant brings “community-created reading experiences” to your favourite comics.
Another digital comic book store like comiXology and Comics Plus, Madefire Comics provides access to DC, IDW, Dark Horse, Oni Press, and publications from Top Cow in digital format. Madefire’s niche comprises of “Motion Books” — a flagship reading experience that brings comics to life with interactivity, sound, and animation.
Included are some “choose your own adventure” tales, along with deviantArt integration that features fresh talent from the Web’s largest community of artists. Everything within the app is purchased as an in-app purchase, and you can download your entire catalogue within the app itself.
