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The Something Awful Forums > The Finer Arts > BSS: Bisexual Super Son > Digital Comics - May Your View Be Guided

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

I love digital comics - iPad user primarily buying from Comixology, occasional DRM free files through Comic Zeal (which is totally functional). I initially didn't use guided view, but grew to really like it--used mostly intermittently as a more convenient zoom, but also generally useful for comics with hard to read text or really amazing details in the art. It's annoying when it cuts off panel edges, but you can always zoom out when that happens to get the full view, and then do the non-guided zoom if necessary.

I actually prefer the digital experience to paper. Colors are brighter, zoom lets me catch details just as well or better, I don't have to worry about comics' conditions, can take a full series of comics on the road, $1/issue sales are great... all of that combined with the space saving benefits make me a digital comics evangelical.

One main downside is that I really, really prefer to buy comics on sale, so if I miss a sale for a series I end up regretting not buying, it bums me out, and I hate paying full price for something I know I could have gotten cheaper. So I really appreciate a thread where sale discussions/recs are encouraged!

The other problem, of course, is that I'm buying into a closed ecosystem with comixology, and I really prefer the consolidated collection. So given my preferences, I kind of "can't" read Dark Horse, and if Comixology ever goes belly up, I'll be reallllly annoyed.

But I feel good about Comixology's prospects, and digital comics in general. I assume the experience will keep getting better as tablets and wifi access continue to improve.

onefish fucked around with this message at 21:46 on Feb 27, 2014

# ¿ Feb 27, 2014 21:39

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# ¿ Apr 27, 2024 09:08

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Waterhaul posted:

SALE TIME
Boom Originals Sale running until Monday. I was trade waiting on Six Gun Gorilla but since it's on sale... It's Si Spurrier and Jeff Stokely so good stuff.

Strong recommendation on Six Gun Gorilla from me. Great world, neat themes, cool art.

Any comments/thoughts/comparisons on Mice Templar?

Edit: Huston only wrote that Moon Knight volume through 13 and "advised" 14-19. But whole volume should be read if you're gonna read it, right?

edit2: Wait, Mice Templar isn't Mouse Guard, which is the one I'd heard some buzz about. Oh well.

onefish fucked around with this message at 15:17 on Feb 28, 2014

# ¿ Feb 28, 2014 14:33

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

PelvicNerve posted:

There's a Waid DD sale with each of the 28 first issues at .99 a pop. BUT there's also a complete bundle with all 37 issues of the volume for 30 bucks. Ended up getting the bundle.

That bundle is extremely worth it. 1-27 is the arc that everyone loved the absolute most, but 28-36 are still great comics worth owning. Even if you had already bought 1-6 from the big holiday Marvel Now sale, it's still probably worth getting the bundle, equivalent to getting the remaining 30 issues at $1 each. (Numbers seem off because there was a .1 issue in there and that "point-whatever" numbering is still ridiculous)

ALSO: Image Pi Day sale features Manhattan Projects. Manhattan Projects is one of my favorite comics. It may not be quite clear where it's going yet, but issue-by-issue it's amazing: funny, surprising, suspenseful, weird, with just the BEST art.

# ¿ Mar 14, 2014 17:01

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Senor Candle posted:

I would honestly consider that if it was on Comixology.

I would honestly buy it for sure if it was Comixology.

Still considering it. What are reasons not to? Did Hellboy drop off in quality or is BPRD better? Or is Dark Horse's app significantly *bad*?

Never read any Hellboy or BPRD, basically, but know I do like the general milieu and Mignola art.

# ¿ Mar 21, 2014 20:18

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Hakkesshu posted:

Like I implied, the reason not to buy this would be because Dark Horse for some reason still doesn't offer HD comics, which I personally think is a travesty. Unless they added them recently, I don't know. I think the app is basically the same as Comixology's, otherwise - they use the same template as I recall.

Hellboy is one of the best comics ever by my estimation, but Mignola's art is such a big part of the appeal that I honestly think it does that book a disservice to read it in SD on an iPad.

BPRD is a spin-off that's also very good, but kind of its own thing.

Thanks. I guess I'm unclear on the level of difference between HD and non-HD, and whether I've been reading HD or not. Is nearly everything I read on Comixology HD, or have I been reading and enjoying non-HD comics this whole time? (I can probably figure this out for myself by trying a Dark Horse sample comic, but I'm at work at the moment and don't have wifi connectivity for the tablet.)

edit: tried out. difference in quality for Dark Horse was noticeable, but not a definite dealbreaker alone. However, I also like their app reading experience and guided view a bunch less. That combined with the fact that I'm *not* actually sure Hellboy will be a real favorite for me -- none of the samples are fully grabbing me -- means I'm still waffling on the purchase. But thanks for laying out your thoughts.

onefish fucked around with this message at 13:14 on Mar 22, 2014

# ¿ Mar 21, 2014 20:31

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Ultimate Spider-Man sale starting today -- plus a crazy-looking bundle of what looks like nearly everything USM released so far, 199 comics for $99. People seem to really like Ultimate spider-Man, so I'm guessing this is a definite buy for many.

edit: also saw these - Marvel collections on sale, no front page ad. https://www.comixology.com/Collections-Now-On-Sale-Deals-As-Low-As-1-99/list/1645 Includes Marvel 1602 by Gaiman for $4, an amazing deal, as well as Runaways Vol 1 (1-6) for $2.

onefish fucked around with this message at 14:56 on Apr 1, 2014

# ¿ Apr 1, 2014 14:50

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

edit: ^^^ and thanks for this, too.

unl33t posted:

Also worth noting, the bundle does NOT include volume 2 issue #16.1. Not sure why that is.

Thanks a bunch for this -- bought the bundle, now was able to pick up that one on sale, too, but would have missed it otherwise.

# ¿ Apr 2, 2014 14:25

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Shitshow posted:

Image is offering 50% off its 10 Eisner-nominated works from April 16-21 across a variety of vendors, including Comixology. There's some great stuff in there.

Get stuff from this sale. Especially Rat Queens, Manhattan Projects, Saga, Sex Criminals, and possibly Lazarus and East of West.

Here's the link to the Comixology sale collection page:

https://www.comixology.com/Image-Eisner-Nominees-Sale-Up-to-66-Off/list/1897

# ¿ Apr 17, 2014 03:05

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

The Comixology tumblr suggests adding their webstore as an icon in iOS and says they've recently optimized for mobile, for what that's worth: http://comixology.tumblr.com/post/83936165037/comixology-protip-add-our-webstore-to-your-ipad

# ¿ Apr 27, 2014 03:05

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

fozzy fosbourne posted:

Yeah, it's 12.99 for me in the US.

It'll change to $5.99 if you add to cart, and shows up on the "Sales" page: https://www.comixology.com/comics-sale

Also on the front page below the banners in the section "Now On Sale! - Batman and Son & Superman Single Issues!"

They've stopped advertising absolutely everything with banners recently (e.g. the free Image #1s never got put in the rotating banners.)

# ¿ May 6, 2014 05:19

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

PoshAlligator posted:

If this is the Deluxe one then it should contain the stuff from the collected Black Glove volume too. That's a lotta great comics. The downside is you'll probably want to read Batman RIP immediately after. Batman & Son, Black Glove, and RIP are basically a trilogy.

I'd say grab it.

Some of what I'm reading implies that Batman RIP ties into Final Crisis significantly--would we need/want to read Final Crisis as well as RIP to get a "full story" after Batman & Son + Black Glove?

# ¿ May 6, 2014 14:35

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Shitshow posted:

Image updated their Humble Bundle with the first trades of Manhattan Projects and Invincible: https://www.humblebundle.com/?imagecomics_bundle&utm_source=imagecomics&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Humble%20Image%20Comics%20Bundle

Pretty meh, but if you missed out on this the first time there's still some great comics to be had for the average price of $9.62.

I would definitely not describe Manhattan Projects as "meh" -- some of my favorite art in comics, and a pretty cool mindbender ramble of a story.

Also, even if you already bought the bundle, you now have access to these new additions (if you paid enough to unlock past the average) -- just re-click the link in the "Your Humble Bundle order is ready" email.

# ¿ May 6, 2014 19:24

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Teenage Fansub posted:

Transmetropolitan is on sale again.
https://www.comixology.com/Transmetropolitan-Sale/page/2055

Still no bundling from DC.

Yay! I started on digital comics a bit over a year ago, and had been waiting for this sale since. I remember this series as one of my all-time favorites. (Detailed art, fun characters, high energy, neat worldbuilding, humor, good arcs, etc etc etc.)

# ¿ May 27, 2014 21:05

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Phylodox posted:

Aw, man, Saga went digital the same day as it went print, but no Rat Queens? Bummer.

Rat Queens issue was delayed, I believe

# ¿ Jun 28, 2014 01:24

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

PelvicNerve posted:

There's a Wasteland sale on Comixology with 50 issues for $25. Does anyone around have an opinion on how good/bad this is?

Good, but actually not "easy" to read. Neat art and mythology, but kind of dense, occasionally unclear. Bundle is almost certainly worth it, though (I bough 46 issues for $36 last sale. Read 12 so far, but do intend to read the rest.) Reviews of series are good.

edit: Kieron Gillen likes it, and I like his work, so that goes a long way, too.

onefish fucked around with this message at 16:48 on Jul 19, 2014

# ¿ Jul 19, 2014 14:36

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Zachack posted:

I only read the first couple issues a while back, does it get better? It came across as... clunky, I guess, and my memory of the art was that it was sorta aping generic manga? I read the first few issues of The Fuse (same author) and felt similarly towards the writing.

In all HONEST honesty -- I think it's clunky in what I've read, too. I always want to like the author's work just a bit more than I do (Umbral is cool but a bit awkward as well). It's interesting enough for me to read, but not good enough for me to read at anything over a good sale price.

But I want more amazing bundle deals like $25 for 50 comics, so I'm hoping they sell a bunch of these anyway...

edit: I did love Young Avengers, 7/21 Marvel Monday deal. Every issue was fun.

onefish fucked around with this message at 18:46 on Jul 21, 2014

# ¿ Jul 19, 2014 18:15

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Anyone have suggestions for the IDW/Joe Hill sale? I've read and quite liked Locke & Key, so I recommend that for basically any modern fantasy/horror comics fan, but not sure about The Cape, Thumbprint, The Wraith, etc. (I did read and enjoy NOS4A2, a novel that The Wraith is linked to.)

# ¿ Aug 19, 2014 14:10

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Atomic Robo sale at Comixology!
https://www.comixology.com/Atomic-Robo-Sale/page/3409/?tid=B140909001_Red_5_Atomic_Robo_Sale

I have not read any Atomic Robo, basically. Some FCBD stuff. I am very excited.

The bundle is $25 for 40 issues (bundled between the 8 volumes). And by all accounts, these comics are good. Dang.

onefish fucked around with this message at 04:39 on Sep 9, 2014

# ¿ Sep 9, 2014 04:22

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Uncle Boogeyman posted:

More importantly, use the code "COMIX" and almost everything fantagraphics is 50% off. I just bought all of Prison Pit.

I definitely thought I'd want more Fantagraphics stuff than I apparently do. Anything else particularly recommended?

I've already got them digitally, but the Jason comics I've read (Werewolves of Montpelier, Lost Cat, I killed Adolf Hitler) are included in the sale and all great, and while a little more expensive than most comics at a page-per-dollar ratio, almost certainly worth it at sale price.

edit: oh, I'm sure Love and Rockets will come up too, but I still might not be ready to commit to it.
edit2: thanks! VVV

onefish fucked around with this message at 18:25 on Sep 12, 2014

# ¿ Sep 12, 2014 16:08

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

A Comixology feature they have no incentive to implement (especially since it would probably not be that easy to code), but which I would love, would be if we could trade in collections for the individual issues contained in them, or vice versa. Charge me a buck to do it, I don't care -- I just want to have all my issues in the same format, after ending up with a mixture based on what's on sale at various times.

# ¿ Sep 16, 2014 20:58

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Heads up on a non-banner sale of Deadpool Classic Vol 1, 10 issues for $3.99: https://www.comixology.com/Marvel-Collections-Sale-Up-to-60-off/list/3696
(also Daredevil Vol 1, 6 issues for the $4, obviously great but not exactly a complete story)

I assume this might be worth it for some folks!

# ¿ Sep 19, 2014 16:28

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

There's a Comixology "Marvel Collections" sale that's not getting a banner advertisement, as well as a Daredevil: Road Warrior sale.
https://www.comixology.com/Marvel-Collections-Sale/list/4055?ref=c2l0ZS9pbmRleC9kZXNrdG9wL3NsaWRlclZpZXdBbGw

A real grab bag, but Guardian Devil and Irredeemable Ant-Man 1-6 are included -- either worth reading?

# ¿ Oct 9, 2014 14:37

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

bobkatt013 posted:

I was really hoping for every issue.

It's way under $1/issue this way, at least?

# ¿ Oct 21, 2014 06:06

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

EAB posted:

I guess I'll just have to keep my eye open. A series on my wishlist just went 50% off, gently caress yeah! Hellblazer. Bought the 8 volumes they have on there.

This is what I do. I buy from Comixology exclusively when things go on sale, and have still managed to accumulate a pretty big collection (and haven't run out of stuff to read) over the past ~18 months. You have to visit the site daily if you want to be sure not to miss a sale, but there aren't any flash 3 hour sales or anything, so once a day is enough.

edit: I'm thinking not, but any recs from the IDW Halloween sale? Mystery Society would be my only rec -- pretty fun paranormal plot, but the main draw would be seeing Fiona Staples' art from before Saga.

onefish fucked around with this message at 04:27 on Oct 23, 2014

# ¿ Oct 22, 2014 03:58

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Uber by Kieron Gillen (art by Canaan White) bundle on sale. I like Gillen a lot (when he's working on projects he cares about). I dislike Avatar's art a lot. I'm mostly uninterested in Nazi/WWII stories unless they're amazing.

I figure this is one of those titles I can safely pass on, but I'd be interested to hear if anyone has strong opinions one way or the other.

edit: Another voice for "I really enjoyed Scott Pilgrim." I own all 6 volumes in black and white, paper editions, but bought all the color digitals on sale -- the coloring looks good, and I'll be looking forward to rereading them in that edition.

# ¿ Dec 10, 2014 21:09

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Waterhaul posted:

The Top Shelf sale is good but I want to say everything has been on sale for cheaper at a point.

What about Lost Girls -- good Moore or no? A worthwhile buy?

# ¿ Dec 16, 2014 19:47

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Okay, yeah. I mostly wasn't seeing reviews that made me want to pick it up, but every once in a while someone will claim it's genius. I'd be looking for the genius more than the porn, in this particular instance. Thanks for reaffirming my instinct and saving me some cash!

# ¿ Dec 16, 2014 21:22

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Buncha Deadpool on sale: https://www.comixology.com/Deadpool-Kills-the-Marvel-Universe-Sale/page/4921/

Night of the Living Deadpool was decently fun. Probably worth it at sale price if you like Deadpool. Deadpool vs Carnage seemed all right, though I don't know if I'd actually recommend buying it unless you quite like both characters. Thoughts on any of the others? Heard mixed things about Deadpool Killustrated.

Have heard good things about Wade Wilson's War -- anyone want to weigh in on *how* good it is? I quite like the current Deadpool series after issue #6, as well as the just-wrapped Deadpool vs. Hawkeye (and the Deadpool characterization in Remender's Uncanny X-Force).

# ¿ Jan 9, 2015 20:34

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Space Fish posted:

Bigass Punisher sale on Comixology: runs from 2000-2009 for 0.99 an issue.
I've always been somewhat jealous of my friend's Punisher omnibi, but a digital decade of Frank Castle is pretty sweet too.

Yes!

I can recommend issues 1-60 of the 2004-2009 MAX run (plus "The Tyger") as some of my favorite Ennis work. Totally intense. I think the run to 75 after that was fine, too, though not same level.

Anyone have thoughts on whether the other Ennis runs in the sale are worth reading/buying, too?

onefish fucked around with this message at 19:54 on Jan 13, 2015

# ¿ Jan 13, 2015 06:21

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Zoe posted:

Is there a simple way to make comics in PDF or CBZ form readable on an iPad? (disclaimer: I have never used an iPad and I'm not even sure what a CBZ file is, please keep it very simple.)

ComicZeal for iPad is very usable for CBRs and CBZs. If you download a CBZ, you can use iTunes to load it directly into your iPad ComicZeal library. I think these instructions are basically accurate, and once you've done it once, it's simple: https://comiczeal.tenderapp.com/kb/getting-comics-onto-your-device/loading-comics-using-usb-itunes-file-sharing

# ¿ Feb 13, 2015 17:44

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

gfanikf posted:

Friendly Reminder....Go Buy Marvel stuff!

This sale seems particularly good for getting stories you want in collected form, since Marvel's sales usually happen for runs in single issues.

I picked up Franken-Castle to get Planet Hulk free, and Old Man Logan to get Daredevil: Born Again free. I also picked up the trades of Brubaker's Daredevil, even though I'd be happy to read them in single issues and I'm sure they'll do Daredevil sales around the time of the Netflix show, since the trades ended up coming out to less than $1 an issue.

Kind of had to stop myself there, though I considered picking up the trades of Gillen's Journey into Mystery (because otherwise you REALLY have to go back and forth between series for crossovers). I've already read those, though, and I really just want them to release the two "Complete" volumes digitally.

Anyone else have buy recommendations, particularly for collections? I'm thinking about Daredevil: End of Days, but am not sure what other trade at around $14.99 I'd want to pick up as the "free" one.

VVV Sure, but there are obvious advantages to buying, too: for me, I dislike the reading experience of Unlimited, I want to have more than 12 books downloaded at a time, and I like specifically allocating money toward the works I enjoy and not buying the ones I don't.

onefish fucked around with this message at 23:52 on Feb 23, 2015

# ¿ Feb 23, 2015 18:54

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Anime_Otaku posted:

That looks good, pity it doesn't include trades. Just downloaded Black Widow #1, might grab Secret Avengers. Anything that needs read before it for context?

I quite enjoy the newest Secret Avengers, and didn't read the previous one, so I'm thinking no context needed. Don't know if you need context for the 2013 one!

Black Widow and Hawkeye are both enjoyable and totally fine without context. Black Widow's interesting in that the first 5 or so issues are all fairly standalone, but then a longer-running story develops. I enjoyed both styles, but I think the art might be the biggest draw for me in that series--it's gorgeous.

# ¿ Mar 20, 2015 15:35

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Russad posted:

Hawkeye is a dumb, lame hero. Fraction/Aja make him super fun to read about and it's an awesome series. I say that as someone with literally zero history reading Hawkeye, I picked it up entirely due to praise in this thread.

Speaking of, how comparable is BW? I really enjoy the humor in Hawk Guy, is BW similarly fun? Or is it more serious spy stuff? Basically, if I loved Hawkeye mostly due to Fraction's writing how likely am I to enjoy Natasha's story?

I don't see too much tying this Black Widow series to Hawkeye, actually. Feels like a different mood (yeah, "spy stuff," though on occasion pretty funny and clever, like most good Marvel books) and I wouldn't necessarily recommend one for fans of the other.

The 2014 Secret Avengers takes its inspiration (for Clint, particularly) heavily from the "fun" side of the Fraction Hawkeye, though.

# ¿ Mar 21, 2015 04:01

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

bobkatt013 posted:

Hammers + van art = buy

I enjoyed the whole thing, but 1-12 are totally can't miss for epic Thor.

# ¿ Mar 23, 2015 16:05

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Uncle Boogeyman posted:

if you have an extremely high tolerance for gore and disturbing content, i think the original Ennis miniseries is very good. avoid the David Lapham stuff.

Aw man. I didn't know Lapham wrote Crossed. I recently read Stray Bullets and loved/am loving it, so it's a bummer that his take on a decently intriguing premise was botched.

FWIW, I quite like a lot of Ennis, but I recall thinking that the first few issues of Crossed felt pointless and over-the-top gross, so I dropped it. A lot of people seem to say the first 10 are worth reading, though.

# ¿ Apr 6, 2015 16:52

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

bobkatt013 posted:

Get the Daredevil bundle! It is one of the best runs.

Yeah. I'd already bought most of them in an earlier sale, so can't go bundle, but I would if I could--the run was great. My favorite Bendis other than Ultimate Spider-Man, I think.

Note: issues 38-40 are new to Comixology for some reason, so if you bought the run on Comixology before, you probably don't have those issues yet. And issues 16-19 (not part of main run, which starts at 26) were not in the earlier sale that I was aware of. (So I picked both of those parts up--I think I've heard 16-19 are still worthwhile.)

edit VVV thanks!

onefish fucked around with this message at 15:29 on Apr 7, 2015

# ¿ Apr 7, 2015 15:23

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

WinnebagoWarrior posted:

Welp, I bought the Daredevil thing. I really didnt know that BMB's run on the character was that universally loved. I have really liked some of his stuff but found a lot of it to be pretty mediocre. Excited to read this though.

Yeah, I think you won't be disappointed. I have pretty low patience with Bendis--don't even really like Powers, which a lot of people do--but he just clicked with this run. You picked up a real epic for, I'm pretty sure, the best price possible (other than reading it from the library or buying used trades or something). edit: also, awesome art, which is important!

Now, what *I'm* wondering is whether I'll like End of Days. The majority of people seem to say "Yeah, it's good," but I think there are some dissenters, and people weren't always sold on it issue-to-issue when it was being published, if I recall.

onefish fucked around with this message at 21:33 on Apr 7, 2015

# ¿ Apr 7, 2015 20:08

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Anime_Otaku posted:

Was just going to post this myself, thinking of just grabbing the �5 bundle, anything in there that's either "download immediately " or conversely "don't waste HD space on it"?

I enjoyed The Mocking Dead�it's not really a Walking Dead parody, but an actual zombie apocalypse mini that's done with some goofiness and humor due to the particular nature of the zombies, and complete in the five issues included. Fred Van Lente's a pretty solid writer, in my experience (thinking here of Archer & Armstrong).

# ¿ Apr 14, 2015 23:45

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Image Eisner nominees sale!
https://www.comixology.com/2015-Image-Eisner-Nominee-Sale/page/6360

50% off anything from Saga, Walking Dead, The Wicked & the Divine, Southern Bastards, Pretty Deadly, or Madman released before 3/25/15. Hooray!

edit: Not automatic, be sure to enter code "EISNERS" at checkout! (Fortunately, Comixology support has historically been really good about adjustments/refunds if you screw this sort of thing up.)

onefish fucked around with this message at 03:37 on Apr 23, 2015

# ¿ Apr 22, 2015 20:44

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# ¿ Apr 27, 2024 09:08

onefish: Jan 15, 2004

Re: the IDW sale. I already have Locke and Key. TMNT just doesn't see to quite do it for me in the couple issues I've checked out. (I might consider it once it's in some sense a finished series, or the volume ends or whatever.) I know the Roberts Transformers is supposed to be good, but same feeling as TMNT for me.

I should probably get The Maxx (though again, I really wish they had the whole series for sale...)

Anything else worth a look?

# ¿ May 18, 2015 19:08

The Something Awful Forums > The Finer Arts > BSS: Bisexual Super Son > Digital Comics - May Your View Be Guided

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