I’ve never been a comic book reader (honestly, it just seems too confusing), but it appears now might be a good time to dip my toes in their frigid waters. Dec. 17th, 2018 (today!) marks the release of InkyPen, a new app that allows Nintendo Switch owners to read comic books using their system. It’s a subscription service exclusive to Nintendo’s device, and will open the gates to thousands of comics, with the intention of adding manga in the future.
The company, a Norwegian startup, will join the ranks of the hardened few who can claim space in Nintendo’s home screen (Youtube and Hulu are two other big examples–surprisingly, still no Netflix). The app itself is free to download from the Nintendo e-Shop, but the use of the digital comics (on an all-you-can-read basis) will cost $9.99 CAD a month. The user can then use the touch screen to read them, panning or zooming as necessary, although it has been said that the app will also work when the Switch is docked.
One of the big questions, undoubtedly, is whether the likes of Marvel and DC are included in this subscription. Since both companies are large enough to have their own comics apps, superheroes like Batman and Captain America will not be making the journey; what InkyPen will have, however, are comics by companies such as IDW (Transformers, Judge Dredd), Darkhorse (Hellboy) and Archie comics. InkyPen has also said that indie publisher comics will also be on the way, though there has been no official date announced.
So for those who want to take a break from gaming once in a while to read some comics, or if someone has some comics they need to catch up on without spending the time and money searching for them, this should be right up their (Crime) alley.
Will be using the app? If so, what do you plan on reading? Let us know in the comments below!
