The Five Best Comic Book Apps for iPad

Of all the aspects of our daily lives that Apple’s iPad has helped to revolutionize, perhaps the one it has left the most identifiable mark on is the way we read. The iPad’s large screen and capable storage capacity makes it perfect for carrying entire libraries with you on the go. Each book in your arsenal can be accessed with the simple tap of a finger. The iPad isn’t just great for regular print novels and non-fiction material – it is also a terrific way to enjoy comic books and other types of graphic art. There are many applications available in the iTunes App Store geared towards this specific market.

Comic Zeal

Comic Zeal is a type of catch-all application capable of reading and displaying comic book files in the popular .CBR and .CBZ file formats. If you’ve got any comic book files on your computer that you want to be able to read on your iPad, Comic Zeal is the program for you. You can separate issues into digital “boxes” by series, artist, writer, publisher or any other criteria you can think of. This makes keeping track of your collection as easy and fun as it is in real life.

ComiXology

The ComiXology application acts as a digital marketplace for comic books, much the same way the iTunes Music Store is for music. ComiXology allows you to purchase and download hundreds of new issues and back issues from the world’s biggest publishers like DC Comics, Marvel Comics and more. Certain issues are also available through the application in digital format the same day they hit comic book stores.

DC Comics

If you’re loyal to DC Comics over all other brands, the DC Comics application is tailor-made for you. As its name suggests, only DC Comics are available for purchase and download via this particular application. This gives you immediate access to Superman, Batman, the Justice League and some of the biggest characters being published today. Many issues are also available for free so that you can try out a particular book and see if you like it.

Marvel Comics

This is Marvel Comics’ answer to the aforementioned DC Comics application. Only Marvel titles are available, with many being offered on the same date as they are released in print versions in stores across America. This application also offers you free issues for you to try to see if you like a book before committing to any type of financial commitment. Characters published by Marvel Comics include Spider-man, the X-Men, the Avengers and more.

Comic Viewer

Comic Viewer is similar in concept to Comic Zeal, with a much more straightforward interface. You can take digital comic files from your computer and sync them to your iPad via this application. Issues are arranged on a virtual shelf, much the same way that eBooks are arranged in iTunes’ iBooks application. You can swipe your finger across your iPad’s screen to turn the comic’s pages, similar to the motions you would make if you were reading a print copy of the book.