The Energon Pub

[Burn]

http://www.idwpublishing.com/news/article/1158/

IDW Comics Debut on the iPad
Saturday, Apr 3rd, 2010
Premier publisher at the forefront of digital distribution
Store front apps available today for IDW Comics, G.I. JOE, TRANSFORMERS, and Star Trek
Watch a video of IDW comics on the iPad here


San Diego, CA (April 3, 2010) - IDW Publishing is proud to announce that the hugely anticipated Apple iPad will feature four IDW comics applications today at launch. Taking full advantage of the iPad's full-screen, full-color capabilities, each IDW store front will offer the next level of reading experience to fans. The free IDW iPad comic shop apps each include a selection of comics with the initial download, and offer more comics as in-app purchases. Fans can choose apps for their favorite brands, like Star Trek, G.I. JOE and TRANSFORMERS, or download the IDW Comics app for access to all the company's iPad releases.



Each store front app will offer readers the highest quality viewing experience, with a full-page display that showcases the eye-catching art and vivid stories. IDW has developed several new features to enhance the comics and take full advantage of the iPad's capabilities.

"The iPad is a wonderful format for comics, as the screen size is close enough to the print size that readers can view the full page," said IDW Director of ePublishing, Jeff Webber. "Our iPad apps are also compatible with our iPhone and iPod touch apps. So you can purchase a comic shop apps on one device, and read it on another. The apps will automatically identify which one you are using, and adjust to offer the best reading experience."

IDW was the first comics publisher to launch its own "in app purchase" storefronts for the iPhone and iPod touch with not one, but four new comic shop applications. For fans of G.I. JOE, TRANSFORMERS and Star Trek, IDW has introduced new comic applications that offer full collections all in one app. The company also introduced the IDW Comics app, which collects the entire digital catalog. All IDW store front apps are powered by iVerse. IDW currently has over 400 individual issues available through the App Store, with more available every week.


IDW comics are currently available for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch through the App Store.

[Blurrz]

Thanks for the link aussieman.

[1337W422102]

So someone coded a program that reads .cbr and .cbz files for that toy?

[gigazarak]

Theres more on the comic reading features of the iPad at this BoingBoing 'review' here.

And just to counter the whole thing, also at BoingBoing heres Cory Doctorow with his reasons for NOT buying an iPad!...

Is it a good way to read comics? I'm not sure. But the iPad sure is a flash piece of technology!

[Burn]

So someone coded a program that reads .cbr and .cbz files for that toy?

Do IDW and Marvel use cbr/cbz files with their "digital" comics? I've never downloaded any.

But it's more than just a cbr/cbz reader seeing as it'll allow you to purchase and download the comics from their site.

Frankly though, the comic industry has a long way to go before they realise they're heading in the wrong direction with digital comics. The scanners out there really do have the right idea on how a book should look, and it wouldn't be THAT hard for the comic companies to adopt a format like that.

P.S. iPad - Overrated junk.

[1337W422102]

So someone coded a program that reads .cbr and .cbz files for that toy?

Do IDW and Marvel use cbr/cbz files with their "digital" comics? I've never downloaded any.

But it's more than just a cbr/cbz reader seeing as it'll allow you to purchase and download the comics from their site.

Frankly though, the comic industry has a long way to go before they realise they're heading in the wrong direction with digital comics. The scanners out there really do have the right idea on how a book should look, and it wouldn't be THAT hard for the comic companies to adopt a format like that.

P.S. iPad - Overrated junk.

You can say that again. If a comic's worth buying, I'll wait for the trade. Until then, I'll stick to my scans.

[vegetacron]

So someone coded a program that reads .cbr and .cbz files for that toy?

I was just thinking the same thing. lol

I've gotta fujitsu lifebook tablet that has the cbr reader on it and a ton of comics already.

[Elita One]

Eww iPad or anything made by Apple in the last decade. They have turn the population into iClones . Entered a competition in the paper to win one for a laugh. If I win I'll be surprised.

[ponycorn]

"Our iPad apps are also compatible with our iPhone and iPod touch apps. So you can purchase a comic shop apps on one device, and read it on another. The apps will automatically identify which one you are using, and adjust to offer the best reading experience."

That was my main concern, concern no longer. I'll buy the print issues, and the iPhone issues for those I really like, like the Wreckers mini, but I'll be offline and gone to the pit if I'm buying for iPhone and iPad.

Just another drop in the bucket of my growing lust for the iPad. If they can add ability to teather my 3Gs to iPad for internet connection I'm sold. Until then not paying for 2 data plans.