Shelf Control: Uncanny Comics Is A New Newsstand Magazine For Comic Geeks
April 7, 2014
Over the weekend, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" effectively brought about an early kickoff for this year's summer blockbuster season with its great success both commercial and critical. And in honor of the successful sequel, this week's edition of Shelf Control is dedicated to an app that is itself dedicated to Cap's medium of origin: comics.
The app in question is none other than Uncanny Comics. Released just over a month ago, Uncanny Comics is a relatively new Newsstand app that aims to be an essential guide for comic book geeks.
Every monthly issue of Uncanny Comics features reviews, previews, and interviews with the creators of comics both old and new. It also includes "at-a-glance guides to confusing world of canon, origin stories, alternate universes and team-ups!"
In the app's sample issue, for example, you can find what's "hot right now" from Marvel and DC, an interview with renowned comic book artist John Romita (aka "The Man Who Raised Spider-Man"), and some basic info on Star-Lord, the leader of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (who are set to invade theaters in August).
In particular, Uncanny Comics is a great guide for customers of the popular digital comic distribution platforms ComiXology and Marvel Unlimited. For every featured comic title in the magazine, there's a handy link to purchase the title from ComiXology or Marvel Unlimited.
At the moment, the link leads to the website of ComiXology or Marvel Unlimited. Perhaps the app will be updated soon to allow integration with ComiXology's Comics app and the Marvel Unlimited app for iOS.
Uncanny Comics has the following key features:
Uncanny Comics is available as a free Newsstand app. The magazine's back issues and future issues are available via in-app purchase. Future issues are also available via auto-renewing subscription: $0.99 per month (one issue) or only $5.99 per year (12 issues). Uncanny Comics is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad running iOS 6.0 or later. Note, though, that the magazine is not optimized for reading on iPhone and iPod touch as it's presented in letterbox format on these devices. As always, if you have suggestions for Shelf Control, please feel free to email me at aldrin@appadvice.com or simply leave a comment below. See also: AppAdvice's Apps For Comic Geeks and Apps to Buy Comics AppLists and Best Comic File Readers and Best iPad Comic Books Apps AppGuides. [gallery link="file" order="DESC"]
- Simple user interface, designed to make the app easier to use
- Beautiful reading experience uses SmartZoom technology
- Save your favorite pages so you can find them more easily
- Easy to navigate library so you can find your downloaded issues easily
- Search engine lets you search for keywords within issues
- Fast downloads and small issue sizes
