Which program do you use for reading comics?

Which program do you use for reading comics? Do you just use windows default picture viewer or do you use a specialised ebook reader?

Comic Rack - it slices, dices, and has one hell of a catalog organizer and built-in features for reading stuff seamlessly.

Windows live photo gallery on this notebook.

PSPcomic on my psp.

I just recently used Quivi, its pretty decent rather than other image viewing programs.
Although, Infanview is good too.

MangaMeeya, I don't have any qualms about it

CDisplay is awesome.

HoneyView 3 master race right here.

I'm using ComicGlass and MangaStorm on my iPad, irfanview on my comp.

MMCE (I don't need much out of it, so this is nice)

This is a copy & paste from the Comic Rack forums, a big damn comparison of comic readers by quidam:

List of Comic & Manga Viewers (CBR/CBZ Software)

Dear reader, if you googled this page in looking for Comic Viewer (CBR, CBZ) read no further. Go, download ComicRack and have fun with your eComics! You won't find anything better for Windows below there.

List & Links

Windows:

• CDisplay - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CDisplay

• CDisplayEx - http://sourceforge.net/projects/cdisplayex/

• ComicsViewer - http://www.comicer.com/stronghorse/ (not EN site)

• CoView - http://www.telefonica.net/web2/webinfomap/Paginas/Software/Programas/CoView.en.html

• eComic - http://ecomic.codeplex.com/

• GonVisor - http://www.gonvisor.com/

• Hamana - http://web.archive.org/web/20080209010356/miyano.s53.xrea.com

• HoneyView3 - http://www.honeyview.org/

• Imagine - http://www.nyam.pe.kr/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=2

• Leeyes - http://www3.tokai.or.jp/boxes/leeyes/ (non EN site)

• Manga Reader - http://mangareader.wordpress.com/

• MangaMeeya (MMCE) - http://www.mydailymanga.com/2008/06/21/manga-reading-tool/#comment-6802

• PicWalker - http://www.brothersoft.com/picwalker-29702.html

• Quivi - http://quivi.sourceforge.net/

• STDU Viewer - http://www.stdutility.com/stduviewer.html

• XnView (with plugin) - http://www.xnview.com/en/downloadwin32.html

Multiplatform:

• Comical - Windows, Linux, MacOS. - http://comical.sourceforge.net/

• ComicRack - Windows, Android - http://comicrack.cyolito.com

• eManga - Windows, MacOS, iPhone. - http://www.electronicmanga.com/

• LongBox - Windows, MacOS. - http://longboxdigital.com/

• XMBC - XBox, Widows, Linux, MacOS. HTPC dedicated Media Center capable of reading CBR/CBZ. - http://xbmc.org/download/

• ComicReader Mobi - commercial. BlackBerry/Windows Phone/iPhone&iPad (jailbroken). Plans to support ComicRack database. - http://comicreader.mobi/

• iVerse - commercial. Android, iPhone/iPad. - http://www.iversecomics.com/

Linux:

• Comix - http://comix.sourceforge.net/download.html

• Evince - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evince

• QComicBook - http://kde-apps.org/content/show.php?content=19509

Mac/OSX:

• Sequential - http://sequentialx.com/ - arguably the best choice for the platform

• Xee - http://wakaba.c3.cx/s/apps/xee.html

• Simple Comic - http://dancingtortoise.com/simplecomic/

• Jomic - http://jomic.sourceforge.net/

• ComicBookLover - commercial. http://www.bitcartel.com/comicbooklover/

• FFView - http://www.feedface.com/projects/ffview.html

• cooViewer - http://www.geocities.jp/coo_ona/viewer_en.html

iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad:

• comiXology - http://www.comixology.com/

• ComicZeal - http://www.bitolithic.com/comiczeal/

• Stanza - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/stanza/id284956128?mt=8

• Some more apps listed here: http://gizmodo.com/5511593/ipad-books-apps

Android:

• Droid Comic Viewer (aka ACV) - http://www.robotcomics.net/android-comic-viewer/

Windows Mobile:

• Pocket Comic - commercial. http://www.jontylovell.net/index.php?page=4

Symbian:

• TouchComic - http://code.google.com/p/touchcomic/downloads/list (Release Info: http://30dbs.blogspot.com/2009/10/touchcomic-18.html )

PSP:

• http://za.playstationcomics.com./main.html

Wii:

• ComixChannel - http://www.wiibrew.org/wiki/User:Tiamattia/ComixChannel

Sony eReaders:

• Try alternative firmware - http://ebookapplications.com/2010/09/power-management-optimizations-cbrcbz-and-rar-support/

Amiga, Atari, C64:

• just joking... ;)

Close-Up on selected programs

CDisplay:
A legend. Program that started it all. Set the standards and made way for others. It was the first comic viewer that gained large popularity. Keys to success: simple & fast. Despite being unmaintained since 2006, still has a lot of fans ("I'm fine with paper and pencil" kind of people). Well, everyone that's into digital comics long enough must have heard of and used CDisplay.

Pros:

• very fast

• great mouse navigation options

• supports nested archives

• sentimental value

Cons:

• R.I.P. A.D. 2006

• bugs here and there

• simple to the bone (but that goes to Pros for others)

Version used: 1.8.1.0 (April 2004), 1.8.5.0 (June 2006)

Links:

• Official site (dead) - http://web.archive.org/web/20071011001044/www.geocities.com/davidayton/CDisplay

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CDisplay

• 1.8.1.0 downloaded from: http://www.techknight.com/blog/2009/07/19/here-is-where-to-get-cdisplay/(Note: That's a third party site. For safety reasons remember to check the file with your anti-virus software before installing)

• 1.8.5.0 downloaded from: http://web.archive.org/web/20080327032859/www.cdisplay.net/

Direct Download Mirror: 1.8.1.0 | 1.8.5.0

Screenshots:




CDisplayEx:

Direct, open source successor to CDisplay. A clone that, IMO, never really outmatched its predecessor. Not many features were added that would give it clear advantage over CDisplay. Moreover, not all CDisplay features were implemented. The development stopped in 2006 and project is now considered being discontinued. Still, it was somewhat popular and gave people hope after death of CDisplay (but only to go the same path to software graveyard, despite open source nature). ;)

Pros:

• fast

Cons:

• dead since 2006

• no bookmarks

• no good mouse control

• poor features overall

• no manga support (right to left)

Version used: 1.4 (Sept 2006)

Links:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CDisplayEx

• http://sourceforge.net/projects/cdisplayex/

Direct Download Mirror

Screenshots:



Comical:
Very simple competitor of CDisplay. Not much worth mentioning. Below average. Has some fanbase, but I honestly don't know why.

Pros:

• simple

• multi-platform

Cons:

• too simple

• no config at all

Version used: 0.8 (March 2006)

Links:

• http://comical.sourceforge.net/

Direct Download Mirror

Screenshots:



ComicsViewer:
Little known Chinese program for reading eComics. Has official English version though. 'Decent' is the word that comes to mind after playing with it for a while.

Pros:

• pretty fast

• explorer integration

• nice color adjustments

• portable: http://www.portablefreeware.com/?id=210 (1.41)

Cons:

• just average

• no English support/help

• quirky translation at times

• bug in 'Open Folder' ?

Version used: 1.42 (Feb 2010)

Links:

• http://www.comicer.com/stronghorse/software/#ComicsViewer [CN] (Google Translate)

• http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=pl&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.comicer.com%2Fstronghorse%2Fsoftware%2F

Direct Download: http://www.comicer.com/stronghorse/software/exe/ComicsViewer_eng.zip[/ul]Direct Download Mirror

Screenshots:




CoView:
Nobody expects Spanish Inquisition or... a comic viewer! Note: press 'i' to switch language to English after fist start. CoView runs directly in fullscreen mode, there is no windowed mode, only an option to minimize. Also, no menubars or configuration dialogs. Right click to display the short help about available hotkeys. A little strange interface, needs time to get used to. But not bad exactly, just different.

Pros:

• database ersatz - adding folders to collection, marking files as read/reading/unread. Promising.

• continuous page display mode

• portable version

Cons:

• crash encountered

• no manga mode

• premature feel, needs some rethinking

Version used: 1.0.49 (Jan 2010)

Links:

• http://www.telefonica.net/web2/webinfomap/Paginas/Software/Programas/CoView.en.html

Direct Download Mirror

Screenshots:






eComic:
Open source disaster. Unfinished product with lazy development. Failed grad project? Recommended only for masochists with bad-software fetish. ;)

Pros:

• rather smooth animation (zooming, etc.)

• cute butterfly logo ;)

Cons:

• not so fast startup and loading of files

• no full-screen mode

• no two page mode

• no manga mode

• no fitting modes (just manual zoom)

• no options at all

• only two (sic!) hotkeys - up and down arrow

• done-in-5%-feel

Version used: 2.5.10007.60 (Jan 2010)

Links:

• http://ecomic.codeplex.com/ Do. NOT. Enter. ;)

Direct Download Mirror

Screenshots:



eManga:
Finally an application that aspires to be something more than just a viewer. Has Library with search and Get Info inspired by ComicRack/ComicBookLover. And unique Mangacast feature. Multi-platform, promising piece of software. Yet, as a viewer it fails to competitors both in terms of speed and functionality.

Pros:

• Library with Get Info metadata

• search / filter (similar to ComicRack)

• Mangacast (subscribing and automatic downloading files directly to library)

Cons:

• slower and lacking file browser and page viewer

• stupid .manga format (renamed cbz with its own XML schema) required to add files to library. Converting process is manual (sic!). Just beyond my patience.

• crash occurred

• poor hotkey support

Version used: 1.0.9 (Dec 2009)

Links:

• http://www.electronicmanga.com/

Direct Download Mirror

Screenshots:






GonVisor:
Second Spanish viewer. Nothing special this time. Slightly below average.

Pros:

• supports uncompressed files/folders

• save as cbz

Cons:

• annoying splash screen

• page adjustment options lacking

• no two page mode

• problems with scrolling to next page

Version used: 1.74 (Sept 2009)

Links:

• http://www.gonvisor.com/

Direct Download Mirror

Screenshots:



Hamana - another good Japanese viewer. I would recommend it over all others if it hasn't forcefully fitted all images to window. Still, the viewing experience is great thanks to DirectX effects.

Pros:

• very fast

• the best animation and page transition effects of all (powered by DirectX)

• opens uncompressed image files

• advanced hotkeys

• good file browser with thumbnails as overlay

• nice seekbar

• page textures

• plays video files

Cons:

• Can't force displaying new images in original size (always fits)

• possible issues with DirectX on some comuters

Version used: 1.48 (June 2006)

Links:

• http://www.miyano.s53.xrea.com/

Direct Download Mirror

Screenshots:




HoneyView3 - freeware, Korean image/comic viewer. Nothing to be particularly
delighted about, but solid software. What should work, works steady and fast.

Pros:

• skinable

• uncompressed image viewer

• quite fast

• remembers reading position

• opens next file/folder

Cons:

• can't set two page mode + original size at once

• limited hotkeys

• Internet Explorer script error?

• poor thumbnail mode

• [strike]unable to get rid of toolbar in fullscreen[/strike] doable

• no built-in file browser

Version used: 3.0.0.1 (May 2009), Bulid 5356 (15.04.2010)

Links:

• http://www.honeyview.org/

Direct Download Mirror

Screenshots:



Imagine:
Not a dedicated comic viewing software but standard image viewer that's able to read archives thanks to plugins. It's Korean one man project. It's extremely fast and lightweight. Beats IrfanView in every way, IMO. It works great as a file lister in Total Commander. I recommend it as a default image viewer for everyone that prefers speed over richness of features ( if you're in the second group give XnView a try).

Pros:

• very fast

• universal image viewer

Cons:

• no scrolling to the next page (left click instead)

• no two page mode

• "I don't want to implement comic-viewer specific features" - author

Version used: 1.0.8 WIP (March 2010)

Links:

• http://www.nyam.pe.kr/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=2

Direct Download Mirror

Screenshots:



Leeyes:
Japanese software dedicated for digital manga fans. It's fast and pretty rich with features every comic viewer should have. The main drawback is only partial, fan-made English localization. So unless you know a little of Japanese, some options may remind a mystery.

Pros:

• detachable viewer from browser (useful with two monitors)

• nested archives

• decent browser

Cons:

• only partially translated to English

Version used: 2.6.1 ß (April 2009)

Links:

• http://www3.tokai.or.jp/boxes/leeyes/ [JP]

• Google Translate: http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=pl&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww3.tokai.or.jp%2Fboxes%2Fleeyes%2F&sl=ja&tl=en

• Patched with English Translation: http://www.mydailymanga.com/2008/06/21/manga-reading-tool/#comment-6802

Direct Download Mirror

Screenshots:



LongBox:
It's commercial platform that attempts selling digital comics. No just reader but store and library together. LongBox made it to this list because latest public version allows users to import their cbz comics from outside the store. If you're not satisfied with it, you may want to give Graphic.ly a try, which follows the same philosophy (IMO, it's better product at this time).

Pros:

• well, a store to buy legal comics

• the fact that Library exist

• Bookmarks

• Skins

Cons:

• poor stock number available to buy

• the fact that Library has close to zero functionality

• Worst reader ever. No fitting modes, zoom, not even scrolling. It's miracle it can display two pages and has manga mode.

• crashed on me (but that is to be expected from beta version)

• proprietary format - can't read bought comics outside LongBox ecosystem.

Version used: 0.9.12 (July 2010)

Links:

• http://longboxdigital.com/incoming.html

Direct Download Mirror

Screenshots:



Manga Reader:
Interesting interface (same feel like CoView) and built-in OneManga scrapper is what stands out in this otherwise below average software.

Pros:

• OneManga Support (download & read)

• page animation

• interactive zoom mode

Cons:

• CBR problems reported

• limited mouse control (can't scroll to the next page)

• zoom instead of fit modes

• slower file opening time

Version used: 1.5.3 (Feb 2009)

Links:

• http://mangareader.wordpress.com/

Direct Download Mirror

Screenshots:




MangaMeeya:
Japanese viewer rather well known among manga fans, that gained a lot of crowd thanks to its speed and great number of features it provides. Only fan-made translation is available and sadly project is no longer maintained. Note: There is other version of this program called MangaMeeyaCE, also worth trying. Slightly less complicated. Better if you don't want to configure too much.

Pros:

• very fast

• archives within archives

• almost everything is customizable (menus, toolbars, shortcuts...)

• two monitors support (split window)

• thumbnails of files and pages

• mouse gestures

• tabs

• also opens uncompressed images

• continuous display

• toolbars/panels autohiding

Cons:

• occasional bugs, hangs and crashes

• configuration may seem a bit difficult (changing hotkeys)

• dead since 2006, available only thanks to third-party providers

Version used: MangaMeeya 7.4 (June 2006), MMCE 2.4 beta (June 2006)

Links:

• Official site dead. http://web.archive.org/web/20080302080935/aaa-www.net/~mangameeya/cgi-bin/

• Patched with English Translation: http://www.mydailymanga.com/2008/06/21/manga-reading-tool/#comment-6802

Direct Download Mirror: MangaMeeya 7.4 | MMCE 2.4 beta

Screenshots:







PicWalker:
Old program that I ran into when I first started looking for CDisplay alternative. It holds well even today. I think it's in the same tier as CDislay. Little more features, yet simple and fast.

Pros:

• fast

• continuous modes (vertical and horizontal)

• built-in file browser

• remembers last read position (+folder history)

• docking panels and toolbars

Cons:

• old

• no two page mode

• toolbars won't hide automatically in fullscreen

Version used: 4.2 (Sept 2004)

Links:

• Original site dead. http://web.archive.org/web/20071016044309/www.oma-penny.com/software.php#PicWalker

• Downloaded form: http://www.tucows.com/preview/366765

Direct Download Mirror

Screenshots:



Quivi:
Yet another image viewer. Rather poor in features. Decent speed, though.

Pros:

• I didn't notice any, really

Cons:

• no two page mode

• errors encountered

• can't scroll to the next page

Version used: 1.2.0 (July 2009)

Links:

• http://quivi.sourceforge.net/index.en.html

Direct Download Mirror

Screenshots:



STDU Viewer:
Universal viewer (txt, pdf) that supports cbz and cbr, but not zip and rar formats.

Pros:

• tabs

• continuous mode

• restoring files and remembering position after restart

Cons:

• doesn't load zip & rar files

Version used: 1.5.402 (March 2010)

Links:

• http://www.stdutility.com/stduviewer.html

Direct Download Mirror

Screenshots:



I dedicate this list to all those people extracting archives with their comics and reading via Windows Picture Viewer / Photo Gallery, totally unaware of wide world of comic viewers. :)

If you think I missed program that's worth mentioning here or made some errors, let me know. If you disagree with my personal rating, feel free to comment and share your opinion.

( In the original thread:
http://comicrack.cyolito.com/user-forum/7-general/7148-list-of-comic-and-manga-readers )

---

...and a description of Comic Rack by yours truly

Comic Rack:
A very feature rich comic viewer with massive library functions, ever since I've made the switch I can't imagine going back. The interface is a tad daunting at first look, since it can do so much, but once you get its hang you'll actually use the features a lot.

Pros:

• Auto Page-Rotation

• Two-Page Mode

• Manga Mode (Right-to-Left)

• Fitting Modes (and Zoom)

• Continuous Reading Mode

• Tab Support in Interface

• Remembers Opened Books and last Position, Tracks Read/Unread Comics in Library

• Doesn't use Proprietary Format, comic formats (cbr, cbz, etc.) remain compatible with other readers even when Library data (an xml file) is added to them.

• Very Strong Library Features

• Can Synchronize Library with ComicRack for Android

• Network Share Features

• Python Scripting Support

• ...more than I care to add now. :D

Cons:

• Slow to load (though can be sent to notification area).

• No support for raw image formats (jpg, png, etc.), comic/manga must be in a compressed (zip, rar, etc.) or comic-book (cbr, cbz) format.

• Feature-Rich Interface can be overwhelming to new users.

Version used: 0.9.155 (2012 May)

Links:

• http://comicrack.cyolito.com/

Videos:

Comicrack with Touchscreen support:


Using ComicRack as a paper comic cataloging software (with Comic Vine Scraper):


A tutorial for beginners:

Sure is complicated in here.

Something easy to use by just dragging and drop > Config everrrrrrrrrrrrrything and make it "awesome" with features you don't care about

Thank you~ <3

Flaser.
Thanks for your great reply. This info have to be in Fakku.net's forum.

manga watcher for android

Thanks for the Links! i was looking some of this

I just read off of my phone using PocketManga for Android. The rare seldom times I ever used my computer, Windows Default Preview, and of course, my good friend, the Web Browser.

OT: I was transferring some stuff off of my phone, and oh surprise, I ended up transferring about 21,000 something pictures. It copied all of my manga, along with my 600 something pictures that I randomly downloaded. It took 2 1/2 hours or so.

also a good one (my opinion!!!).

http://comicseer.xylasoft.com/
windowns only.
it supports: cbz,cbr,rar,zip.
------------------------------
another good one for android

jjcomics.

(you get a lot of please donate messages but it does what is says).