Six of the best comic reader apps
ZOK! BIF! POW! ZAKAM! And other stereotypical words you might find in a comic! Here are our favourite apps for enjoying the graphical masterpieces
The joy of browsing dusty comics in dusty back-street stores will never die, but these days there’s also a shiny digital way to get your DC or Marvel fix.
Yes, in the past few years the way we read comics has undergone a sea change every bit as big as that affecting books and music.
Here’s our guide to the best mobile comic reader apps in the world.
READ MORE: The 35 best free apps for Android
1. Comics
Comics by Comixology was the Amazon of comics, until Amazon bought it. Now, it’s just Amazon, with all of the politics that brings: the Android app lost Google Play payments, and iOS lost its store entirely.
But, oh, the range – it’s hard to stay mad when there are so many affordable comics to buy.
Stuff says ✭✭✭✭✩
2. Marvel Unlimited
Described as ‘the Netflix of comics’, there’s a whiff of bargain bin about Marvel Unlimited. But c’mon – for US$10 per month you get access to 15,000 digital issues, in an all-you-can eat buffet of spandex and scientific experiments giving rise to superpowers in an extremely unlikely fashion.
Stuff says ✭✭✭✭✩
3. Chunky
We’re long-time Comic Zeal fans, and that £2.99 app’s still best for iPhone. On iPad, though, Chunky won us round, due to its streamlined interface, great controls, smart upscaling, and two-up landscape option. There’s plentiful cloud support, but a £1.99 ‘pro’ upgrade adds a mini web server too.
Stuff says ✭✭✭✭✭
4. 2000 AD
Edited by a green alien with a phone dial glued to his head and featuring fascist-future-cop-with-a-permasnarl Judge Dredd, 2000 AD is a British institution. The 37-year-old comic’s digital venture is sleek and smartly designed, providing access to 2000 AD itself, the Megazine and classic thrills aplenty.
Stuff says ✭✭✭✭✭
5. ComiCat
Yes, we’ve – gasp! – gone for a paid Android app. That’s because ComiCat is excellent, automatically scanning your device to find any lurking comics, and deftly handling whatever CBRs and PDFs you throw at it.
That instantly marks it out as superior to most Android comic viewers – and we tried many. Cheapskates can make do with Perfect Viewer, though.
Stuff says ✭✭✭✭✭
6. Sequential
Sequential is a comic app for the more discerning reader. Its collection is heavily curated and possibly a bit worthy, but you can guarantee pretty much anything you buy will deserve your time and money. The reader itself is smooth and fast, if lacking Chunky’s level of elegance.
Stuff says ✭✭✭✭✩
Craig Grannell
Contributor Related content
Best mid-range smartphone 2023: affordable phones reviewed
On the search for the best mid-range smartphone below $500/£500? You’re in the right place
The best macOS 14 Sonoma features headed to your Mac
These great features will arrive later this year on most Macs.
