Comics is a skillfully made comic book e-reader that enthusiasts of the medium should not pass up.
Fans can download nearly 40 free comics to the iPhone or iPod Touch from the 99-cent Books category app. More comics also are available for purchase.
The comic reader itself is well-executed. Touch the right side of the screen, and Comics moves from one panel on the comic book page to the next, blowing up that panel so it fills the screen. This works exceedingly well because of the screen quality, making the lines, colors and text pop. Natural, simple controls make getting around a comic on-screen a breeze.
Comics also works rather intuitively, allowing you to flip your device on its side while reading if a particular panel would look better with a landscape orientation. The app automatically blows the panel up to its largest available size, filling the screen.
The free comics generally consist of the first issues of a variety of titles, and more can be downloaded for a buck each. Comics’ biggest drawback is that it only includes about 150 comics, and none of the big names from powerhouse companies such as DC or Marvel.
Even so, fans of the medium will find a smartly designed app that works beautifully and has the potential to expose readers to books they otherwise might not have had a chance to read.
