Have you read any comics on the DS or Kindle?

[TigerOfDarkness]

Hi,

It seems that comics are available on the Nintendo DS and Amazon Kindle (amongst other devices).

Has anyone read any comics on these or other electronic formats? How does it compare with paper comics?

 

[Galactus]

Well on the Kindle, Nook, and other e-readers unless the comic was black and white you would lose something.

 

[Mr Light]

How would you get comics on a DS?

 

[Guy Gardener]

Haven't trried this, but I have read comics on my pc and even my tv through my dvd player... What you really miss is the 'smell".

Old comics smell old and new comics smell new.

Oh, is this how toffs feel about wine?

 

[23skidoo]

If I were Alex Ross or Todd MacFarlane I'd be getting very worried right now. Then again, I remember being in a comic store where some 10 year old came in, looked at the comics, and asked where he could download them. And that was about 8 years ago. The new generation really is going to be losing out on so much. I can only hope a "retro" trend for physical media kicks in before us old farts lose out, too. I really have no interest in reading comics on a computer screen -- I've tried and it's even harder than with text e-books to get into any of the stories.

Alex

 

[TigerOfDarkness]

Thanks for the replies.

Well on the Kindle, Nook, and other e-readers unless the comic was black and white you would lose something.

Sounds like you have experienced the Kindle - how does it handle color?

How would you get comics on a DS?

It seems there is a company called Robot Comics (http://www.robotcomics.net/) that does comics for the iPhone, DS and Kindle.

I saw a reference to them and that prompted my question.

 

[Galactus]

The Kindle is only black and white. Gray-scaled to look like printed paper from a book. The Nook has a color touchscreen control, but the main screen is gray-scaled also.

Personally I don't understand the gray-scaled to look like printed paper but they are a hit. I personally will just go with a netbook or tablet if they get that going.

I am an old guy too, and I have no problem reading comics on a computer screen. To be honest I thought this would have happened sooner than later.

 

[firehawk12]

The problem is that unless you have a fancy screen that can do "TATE" mode, a screen you can rotate 90 degrees or a huge monitor that's high resolution, I don't think it can work well.

Which is why the Kindle is kind of promising (except for the fact that two page spreads would be completely ruined), but the device is still too expensive.

I figure it's not even worth reading comics on an iPhone, DS or PSP screen though. Their low resolution would almost necessitate the need for a zoom function and at that point, I think that ruins the reading experience.

 

[Snaploud]

E-Paper (an electronic display technology designed to mimic the appearance of ordinary ink on paper) is currently only available in black-and-white. They're also working on larger, flexible displays. Give the technology a bit of time.

 

[23skidoo]

E-Paper (an electronic display technology designed to mimic the appearance of ordinary ink on paper) is currently only available in black-and-white. They're also working on larger, flexible displays. Give the technology a bit of time.

They better also be working on a truly permanent archival system, because if this replaces paper completely, the issue of bit rot will make the disintegration of generations of pulp publications look like nothing.

Alex