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iVerse brings comic books to iPhone, Android

There's no question that comic books and magazines will eventually have a portable platform suited to them, just as the iPod took nearly four years to reach a saturation level as the de facto portable music player.

The Kindle 2 might have been that device, had Amazon found color e-ink to be cost-effective. For now, though, we're stuck with struggling innovations, and iVerse Media has made a big push to get theirs out.

Earlier this month, just in time for WonderCon 2009, the big comic book and media convention in San Francisco, iVerse launched its comic book-reading app for Android, following on the heels of its iPhone app that debuted in November of last year.

The thought of cramming the detail-rich comic book page onto the tiny touchscreen of a smartphone seems ridiculous, because it is. iVerse solved the problem by chopping comics into panel-size chunks.

On both Android and the iPhone, you slide your finger across the screen to move on to the next panel. Slide it in the other direction to move back. Reading the story is surprisingly clear and clean, and although it may seem counter-intuitive, there should be no concerns about eyestrain from squinting because it's one panel, presented in high resolution.

From there, the Android and iPhone apps diverge in functionality, though the features remain largely the same. I tested the Hexed No. 1 comic for both the iPhone and Android. … Read more

'Hexed,' not cursed

This free iPhone app is the first issue of Boom! Studios' comic book "Hexed" reformatted for your iPhone. Instead of looking at a full comic book page, you advance from panel to panel by sliding your finger across the screen. Reading the story is surprisingly clear and clean, and although it may seem counter-intuitive, there should be no concerns about eyestrain from squinting.

When you tap the comic, a small and nearly invisible "I" appears in the bottom right corner. This information button wasn't as responsive as we would've liked, but eventually it will … Read more

Digital City #19: Cheap Netbooks and tales from the NY Comic Con

On this week's installment of the Digital City podcast, we discuss Acer's new ultra-cheap Netbook, share tales from the recent New York Comic Con, and how Lara Croft is getting sold to the makers of the Final Fantasy games.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

The 404 275: Where Wilson Kindled himself

Wilson is off getting Kindled, so Jeff and I take the show by the horns and relate our weekend stories. I got a chance to watch the live taping of Saturday Night Live, and sat next to Kirsten Dunst (yes, I wussed out and didn't ask her to come on the show). I also checked out Comic Con on Sunday, and a big thanks to David from Comixology for hooking it up with his extra pass. Listen in to today's show for a two-man conversation about Twitter spam, child subway performers, more opinions on the Michael Phelps controversy, … Read more

Scenes from New York Comic Con 2009

Few places, outside of perhaps CES and E3, illustrate the overlapping Venn diagram of technology, video games, and popular culture better than the New York Comic Con (or the much larger, but unrelated San Diego Comic-Con). Not just for comic book geeks any more, the show is a catch-all of video games (new and vintage), comics, toys and collectibles, movies, and, of course, incessant marketing toward the mostly male, mostly young adult audience.

It's interesting to note that much of the floor space was given over to hosting video game demos and showcases from companies such as EA, Atari, and Activision. While not quite recession-proof, game companies are perhaps the last holdout that can afford massive amounts of expensive convention center floor space. Also big--the comic/video game/movie pop-culture full-court press called Watchmen.

We braved the nerdy waters of this annual show--held at NYC's Jacob Javitz convention center--to bring you this photo gallery, as well as a few video highlights, shot with a Creative Vado HDcamera. Click on to see it all.

… Read more

Turn your sofa into a comic book shrine

Does your abode adequately reflect your geek sensibilities? Tossing a comic book cushion or two on the couch could help your living room match your lifestyle.

We spotted these funky cotton cushion covers on Etsy, one of our favorite sites for handmade crafts. They measure about 14 inches by 14 inches, cost $15 (not including shipping), and would clash gloriously with the pixel couch.

Might we also suggest a Captain Kirk command chair and a pair of Monty Python slippers?

Batman motion comic impresses, but is it worth your 99 cents?

I first mentioned the Batman: Black and White Motion Comic a couple weeks back and went on bit about how much I'm in love with ol' Bats and how we're getting married and planning our lives together. Hmmm, actually I may not have mentioned the whole marriage and lives together thing...until now.

Anyway, I finally got a chance to check out the first five episodes on iTunes and my initial reaction after watching all five is bring on more. Now.

Black and White is a motion comic developed by Warner Premiere, and is a direct translation of … Read more

New life for old Batman comic

Ever since I picked up an old, 1970s Batman comic when I was 12 years old, Batman has been my favorite comic book character.

While my first love was Wolverine, it was harder to relate to someone who could heal from any wound, and had an unbreakable skeleton and foot-long claws that could cut through anything. Even though Bruce Wayne was a rich boy, he had a childhood wrought with tragedy, and there is just something immediately endearing about a superhero with no powers who simply trained himself to be the best.

Since then I've been a fan of all things Batman. That is, when it's done well, i.e. The Dark Knight, and not offensively, i.e. Batman and Robin. Batman: Black and White was Batman done well. Originally published in 1996, it was a four-issue miniseries collection of short, black-and-white Batman stories written and drawn by some of comics greats like Paul Dini, Alex Ross, and Dave Gibbons.

On Tuesday, Warner Premiere announced the debut of its latest motion comic, Batman: Black and White. Warner Premiere is the same company responsible for the Watchmen motion comic that I've covered here and here. Motion comics basically take the original comic and add sound effects, music, and voice, as well as animation to a certain extent. So far, the results with Watchmen have been impressive.… Read more

Audio: 'Watchmen' artist Dave Gibbons talks movies, Martha Washington

Readers of Crave and fans of all things geek may have read my impressions of the Watchmen Motion Comics over the last few months. If not, well first off, shame on you, but through the magical powers I wield--and the Internets--you can check them out here and here.

Produced by Warner Premiere, the Watchmen Motion Comic is basically the original Watchmen comic, now animated with voice, music, and sound effects. If you're a comic book fan or you're just intrigued by Watchmen thanks to the upcoming movie's hype, it's worth checking out. If you don't … Read more