Read comics online
Are you just getting into the world of comics? Used to be an avid reader but life got in the way? Maybe you just want to switch over to digital in the modern day and age. Whatever your reason we got you covered. Here we're going to talk about the many ways you can read comics online!
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The first service we are going to cover is ComiXology. These guys are like the Steam of the comic book world (for you video game fans). They are constantly having sales and putting bundles together so you can get your comic fix on the cheap. They offer comics from all the major publishers. Marvel, DC, Image and they even have Manga and Indie comics as well. This is probably one of the best options out there to read comics online. Amazon now owns them so the library keeps getting bigger and the app for it is pretty great. One of the best features they have is a FREE comic section. They have a lot of first issues and new series for free in the hopes of getting your hooked. It gives you a chance to see if you'd like a series before spending any money. It's saved me from buying some duds for sure, but it also let me find some really cool new comics I might not have read otherwise. You can check their site here.
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So since Amazon bought them they now have a cool service called ComiXology Unlimited. This is similar to Kindle Unlimited or a Netflix subscription. $5.99 a month gets you access to thousands of comics instantly. They let you sign up for a free month trial so you can see if it's something you'd be into or not. It really has never been easier to read comics online. It's not only easier, but you're still supporting the people who create these fantastic works of art so we can continue to get amazing comics!
Here's Marc The Geek over on YouTube talking about ComiXology Unlimited
Here's Marc The Geek over on YouTube talking about ComiXology Unlimited
marvel unlimited
The next service we're going to talk about is Marvel Unlimited. Obviously this only covers Marvel comics, but with over 17,000 comics to read, I don't think you have to worry about getting bored anytime soon. Similar to ComiXology, they offer a monthly subscription which gives you access to their massive backlog of comics. Or if that's too much you can just as easily buy individual issues as you go. The main selling point for this over ComiXology is you get new releases before the other services. You'll be the first to have access to that new Star Wars book or X-Men crossover. So if that's one of your big requirements for a digital comic service you may want to check this out. They have many different levels of subscription each with their own benefits so check it out and see if one of their options works for you. You can visit their site here. The video below is by ComicsExplained over on YouTube and he does a fantastic job of showcasing Marvel Unlimited.
DC entertainment
DC has a site called DC Entertainment and it's the place to go for to read comics online if you're a DC fan. All the new released are up there and people seem fairly active on the reviews as well. They don't have an all-encompassing monthly service like the other services but you can subscribe to your favorite series easily enough. In general DC's platform just doesn’t give you as many options and a lot of their books are already offered on the other services. It's still the place to go if you need your Batman fix or are looking for the latest Suicide Squad.
more services
There are plently of other places to read comics online and I advise checking them all out and comparing the features and cost. The Google Books section of the Play store has a decent comic collection to choose from. They have individual comics and bundles as well. I personally haven't tried them yet but the reviews seem positive. The Apple Store also has plenty of comics to choose from for you Mac and iPhone users. The benefit to that is having your digital comics in the Apple system where it's super easy to transfer your reading from your phone to your MacBook and vice versa. Even Barnes and Noble has a good selection of digital comics. Your options are really great now compared to just a few years ago. The whole industry is shifting more and more towards digital. While sad in some ways the increased exposure is good for the industry overall.
My personal recommendation if you're a fan of all types of comics and want the most bang for your buck is ComiXology. The library is huge and Amazon does a great job with their content management system. $5.99 a month is less than two frappuccion's from Starbucks so it's really not that big of an investment. But if you're a diehard Marvel or DC fan you might want to go directly to their services. They keep the newest and best stuff for themselves and if you want to be in on the watercooler talk you better go with them. This is by no means a comprehensive list! You can buy digital comics directly from Image, Top Cow, Archie and more. Almost every publisher has a way for you to read comics online. Just a matter of finding what works best for you!
My personal recommendation if you're a fan of all types of comics and want the most bang for your buck is ComiXology. The library is huge and Amazon does a great job with their content management system. $5.99 a month is less than two frappuccion's from Starbucks so it's really not that big of an investment. But if you're a diehard Marvel or DC fan you might want to go directly to their services. They keep the newest and best stuff for themselves and if you want to be in on the watercooler talk you better go with them. This is by no means a comprehensive list! You can buy digital comics directly from Image, Top Cow, Archie and more. Almost every publisher has a way for you to read comics online. Just a matter of finding what works best for you!
