Comic books as a medium seem tailor-made for tablets, even if the timeline doesn’t precisely add up. But there are a surprising amount of comic reading applications meant for old-fashioned desktop machines, too. – Comic book reader software for desktop MComix (Win & Linux) Based on the Comix project, Mcomix is a CBR program updated with stability improvements, bug fixes and a few new tricks.
Ebooks are a great way to enjoy literature – they’re cheaper than print books due to the lack of print and distribution costs (and completely free if the work is in the public domain), and you start reading seconds after buying one.
Best Comic Book Reader Program
You don’t need a specialist device like a Kindle either thanks to the many free ebook readers available for your desktop. These are particularly good for students who want to reference texts in their work, add annotations, or refer to online resources.
So what makes a good ebook reader? For general use, a clear layout and the ability to sync your bookshelf across multiple devices are essential; for students, note-taking and bookmarks are essential; and for anyone who sometimes struggles with their eyesight, text-to-speech and one-click font customization are welcome additions.
1. Kindle for PC
The best free ebook reader, whether you use Amazon or not
Automatic syncing
Amazon’s official Kindle app for Windows (as well as Mac and mobile devices) is smart and stylish, and although it tempts you with reading suggestions from the Kindle store, the sales pitch isn’t too in-your-face.
There’s no setup necessary if you already have an Amazon account. Just log in with your usual username and password and your virtual shelves will be populated automatically (though you’ll have to click a book’s cover to download it, so bear this in mind if you’re planning some offline reading). Notes and bookmarks are synced across devices automatically, as are flashcards – an extremely useful addition for students using digital textbooks for revision.
Kindle for Windows also includes text-to-speech function, and changing font sizes and color schemes is as simple as clicking or tapping a button.
2. Freda
Premium features for free – Freda is a real rival to Amazon’s crown
Bookmarks and annotations
Freda (from the delightfully-named Turnipsoft) is a superb ebook reader that integrates with Project Gutenberg, giving you access to thousands of free ebooks, and Smashwords, where you can find works from independent authors and publishers. Importing your own ebooks is a piece of cake too, with support for all the most popular formats. You can even connect Freda to your Dropbox account enabling you to access books from multiple devices.
Freda supports bookmarks, annotations and highlighting, making it a good choice for students. There’s also text-to-speech for anyone who has trouble with text on screens, as well as auto-scroll and speed-read – a tool that works much like Spritz, displaying words in quick succession so you can read without moving your eyes.
Freda is funded by ads, but these are discreet and are only visible on the bookshelf screen; they won’t interrupt your reading.
3. Calibre
An open source ebook reader that’s a great choice for students
Choice of reading modes
Can't read protected Kindle ebooks
Calibre is an open source ebook reader and manager that’s lightweight and lightning-fast. Unlike many free ebook readers, Calibre supports Amazon’s AWZ format (though it won’t open DRM-protected files) as well as all the other popular ebook file types, and if any metadata is missing (such as genre or cover art), you can add it yourself using the bookshelf’s options menu.
One of Calibre’s best features is Reference Mode, which displays the current chapter and paragraph number in the top left – ideal if you need to cite references in an essay. We also like Flow Mode, where text is shown as a continuous scrolling stream without page breaks; not as pleasant as simulated page-turning for recreational reading, but a handy time-saver to avoid flicking backwards and forwards through a textbook.
4. Sumatra PDF
A PDF, ebook and comic reader that's ideal for multiple PCs
Reads PDFs, ebooks and comics
No GUI for some interface options
Despite its name, Sumatra PDF is a great little ebook reader, capable of displaying books in EPUB and MOBI format, as well as comic books in CBZ and CBR comic books.
Sumatra PDF is a portable app, so you can save it to a USB stick or cloud storage service and use it on any PC. You can save your ebooks in the same place too, eliminating the need to sync your library.
It’s easy to adjust basic settings like font size, but Sumatra PDF’s advanced options can only be edited by opening a text file and typing in new values. If you want to change the page color, for example, you’ll need to find the hex code for your preferred shade and enter it on the appropriate line. It’s not difficult, but we’d prefer a graphical interface.
There’s no way to add notes or highlights, but the convenience of carrying your ebook library and reader anywhere might outweigh those drawbacks for you.
5. Icecream Ebook Reader
A stylish free ebook reader, but lacking advanced features
Archives and exports ebooks
No annotations or highlighting
Icecream specializes in smart, no-frills software, and Icecream Ebook Reader is no exception. It supports EPUB, MOBI, PDF and FB2 ebook formats, and once you’ve imported your books they’re arranged in a neat bookshelf with a choice of viewing options. One particularly handy feature is the ability to archive and export your ebooks; ideal if you use more than one PC and don’t want the hassle of importing your books twice. There’s no cloud syncing though.
The reader itself is similar to the Kindle app in appearance, with one-click (or tap) buttons for changing font size, color theme (day, night, or sepia), and viewing the table of contents.
Unfortunately, some of the options you can see in the menus are only available if you hand over US$19.95 (about £15, AU$25) for the Pro version. Premium features include importing multiple ebooks simultaneously, adding notes, editing metadata, and copying text.
The free version of Icecream Ebook Reader is quick and very easy to use, but only really suitable for recreational reading. Students will find the lack of note-taking and copying frustrating.
You have hundreds, maybe thousands, of comics in your collection, but how do you keep track of them? While some comic collectors may still use note cards or some other paper filing method, others have turned to a simple spreadsheet.
There is another option and if you have yet to check out software dedicated to comic book tracking, you may be missing out on some great features. You can save time and get more enjoyment from your collection with the right database.
Comic ViewerWhy Comic Collecting Software?
As a comic collector, you want to know what you already have and where your collection can use some improvement. You also want to do so quickly because there are more comics to find and read and the last thing you want to do is spend too much time managing your collection.
This is where a database software dedicated to comic book collectors is very useful. Many of these programs were developed by collectors just like you and they know what you want, what's important, and which features may just be unnecessary fluff.
The features in comic software tend to be similar from one developer to the next. Most will allow you to input your collection, track where you might be missing an issue or two, and let you build a wish list for your stash. These are important for the serious collector, particularly if you're investing in your collection and concerned about its value.
Even if you're a casual or beginning comic collector, you'll find that these programs will enhance your enjoyment as your collection grows. You won't have to physically search boxes to know which issues you have or which character made an appearance in a which books, the database takes care of all of it.
In short, the benefits of migrating your comic collection into a dedicated software program are many:
If you're concerned about buying software and looking for a free option, consider this: you invested in your comic book collection. What's a few more dollars to ensure that you have a tracking program that does what you want, makes collecting more enjoyable, and won't be a waste of your time?
Try Before You Buy![]()
Let's be honest, free is not always better and to get the most out of your comic tracking software, it's likely that you will have to pay a little bit. It really is worth it, particularly if you're going to put the time and effort into adding your entire collection to the database.
Before you purchase, though, you should take full advantage of the free trial that many of these companies offer. It may even be best to try a number of them with a small selection (50 or so) of your comics.
Compare each software and see how it works for you. Everyone is different and each collector has their own priorities and preferences for managing their collection. You may really enjoy the interface and value-tracking features of ComicBase or you might find that you like the typing-free feature of Comic Collector Live. Either way, you really won't know until you try it out.
Which Is The Best Comic Grading Companies
Give yourself a fair amount of time with each program you're thinking about. Play around with it and explore the features, interface, and how it manages a sampling of your collection.
While evaluating it, keep these important features in mind:
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Giving the software a good and thorough trial run will save you a lot of headaches later. Imagine if you spent an entire month adding your entire collection to one program only to find that it doesn't do that single thing you really need or want. That is a collector's nightmare and a big waste of time.
Best Comic Book Readers
Err on the side of caution before dedicating yourself to such a significant task.
What Is The Best Comic Book Reader For Macbook3 Comic Software Options to Check OutWhat Is The Best Comic Book Collection App
You will find a number of comic tracking software options available. Here are a few that our reviewers have checked out and recommend to some degree.
Best Comic Book Reader For Mac Os
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