KindleDX will become the new top choice for manga and comics?

Ryuujin27 · 05-08-2009, 12:59 AM

If you look at all the features compared to other top ebook readers out there right now, it seems like the KindleDX will become the best choice for those who want to read manga and comics. A bigger screen, a support of many different kinds of formats, and the ability to rotate if you wish to view it long ways.

It seems like they also say JPGs, GIFs, etc are acceptable through conversion, which I am hoping means you can take a folder of images, convert them, and be able to view the folder as a book/volume.

But anyway, what does everyone else think? Best to wait for the DX for manga and comic viewing or just go with the Sony PRS-505 or something similar?

*EDIT*

Please post comments as well!

Wario · 05-08-2009, 09:18 AM

There are two reason I think it won't work for manga and comics,

1) Cost
2) No colour

Ryuujin27 · 05-08-2009, 09:56 AM

Well, I can see why that is true for DC, Marvel, etc. However, for any form of Japanese, or even Korean, comics, there is no color there to begin with (except on special edition pages, and those are really just bonuses). So what would stop the DX from displaying these pages far better than, say, the PRS-505 could?

*P.S. - The PRS-505 comment is not a shot against your device, it happens to be the device I will buy if the DX turns out not to be worth it.

forkyfork · 05-08-2009, 11:08 AM

I've read manga on my Kindle 2 before, and it's actually not too bad (keep in mind that Manga is generally published in shorter paperback-sized books anyway).

I agree with Wario that American comics are going to be a tough sell without color. The style these days is to make the comics as dark as possible, which doesn't translate well to grayscale.

Ryuujin27 · 05-08-2009, 01:53 PM

Yes, I would agree with you there. However, for me that doesn't matter so much as I don't really read much in English anymore. So most of my comics will be manga.

Gideon · 05-08-2009, 02:03 PM

American style comics might not be bad at all. 16 shades of gray is pretty good as long as the screen is the right size. I'd prefer to read them in color, but I wouldn't mind having them in grayscale.

forkyfork · 05-08-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gideon

American style comics might not be bad at all. 16 shades of gray is pretty good as long as the screen is the right size. I'd prefer to read them in color, but I wouldn't mind having them in grayscale.

I disagree. I think color adds a lot to the comics and you would lose a lot of that in the conversion to greyscale. It would probably be as readable, but not as enjoyable.

It's like watching The Matrix on a black & white TV. I'm sure you could do it, but wouldn't you lose a lot, too?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryuujin27

Yes, I would agree with you there. However, for me that doesn't matter so much as I don't really read much in English anymore. So most of my comics will be manga.

Will your primary purpose for buying an ebook reader be for Manga? If so, I would hold out for the Kindle DX. But, if you think you would use it more as a book reader and sometimes read manga, the Kindle 2 isn't so bad. You can either read it full screen or you cann pan and scan if you like your text bigger.

Gideon · 05-08-2009, 02:59 PM

I think it adds a lot, but I'd be okay with it in a "look, I actually get to read comics because I can sneak one in when I have a few minutes here and there" sorta way. It's like reading magazines or newspapers for me - on my Kindle i actually get to do it because I have a few minutes here and there away from home and have it with me. When I get paper editions they just stack up... likewise with comics.

Daithi · 05-08-2009, 03:16 PM

Adultswim's support of Anime seems to be waning these days, so maybe I should just start reading manga to get my fix. What are some good sites for getting manga? (I like Bleach.)

emmerich · 05-08-2009, 05:34 PM

Black and white digital editions would be great for the classic comics that Marvel was reprinting in the thick, black and white Essential collections. Older comics in general tend to look better in black and white, and there's lots of indie comics that are produced without color as well...

Satans Puppet · 05-08-2009, 05:47 PM

Maybe when the Kindle features a colour screen. I think it'd be a good way for the older reader of comics to get back into them if they had the ease of downloading titles through the kindle network.

It's the right kinda size but without colour it does nothing for me... I needs me colour and for it to launch with Graphic Novels from the outset

Oh and being released in the UK would be nifty too

wallcraft · 05-09-2009, 12:48 AM

The KDX, or really any Reader with PVI's 9.7" screen, will likely be the best option when it is released, but there will be better alternatives within a year. Color EInk is one possibility, but more likely in the short term is better LCD technology. For example the Astak Spectrum probably uses the Pixel Qi 10" color LCD screen and will likely be available early next year if not sooner. Screen technology often gets behind schedule (the 9.7" screen has been promised since the Kindle 1 came out), but the Pixel Qi screen seems real (no samples yet though).

carld · 05-09-2009, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gideon

American style comics might not be bad at all. 16 shades of gray is pretty good as long as the screen is the right size. I'd prefer to read them in color, but I wouldn't mind having them in grayscale.

I was at the library recently and was flipping through their comic collections. A goodly number were black and white reprints of color books, it honestly didn't make that much difference. I think they'd look okay on the DX too.

Edit: pretty much as emmerich says above.

Ryuujin27 · 05-09-2009, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forkyfork

Will your primary purpose for buying an ebook reader be for Manga? If so, I would hold out for the Kindle DX. But, if you think you would use it more as a book reader and sometimes read manga, the Kindle 2 isn't so bad. You can either read it full screen or you cann pan and scan if you like your text bigger.

Hmm, that's a good question. I just started a shonen, which I believe just released the 53rd volume the other week, so I will probably be reading a lot of manga on it. However, I will also be reading, hmm... in Japanese it's called shousetsu, but generally it means that the book size is MUCH smaller than an american version. For example, they can fit easily in your pockets, ideal for travel. Would the bigger screen perhaps mess this up, as it would stretch them? The screen is definitely bigger than the book itself, as they are generally 15x11 cm.

Also, how would i format the manga the best? I currently have them as a series of jpegs, but i could probably zip then change to a cbz or something. Anyone know? I want them to be the best quality possible.

forkyfork · 05-09-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryuujin27

Also, how would i format the manga the best? I currently have them as a series of jpegs, but i could probably zip then change to a cbz or something. Anyone know? I want them to be the best quality possible.

I highly recommend an app called "Mangle" (Kindle + Manga). You can do a search on the forums here for it. It's very good and resizes the manga to fit on your kindle screen.

View Poll Results: Will the KindleDX be the best for viewing manga/comics?
Absolutely!	11	31.43%
No, it will only be average.	5	14.29%
Too early to tell.	19	54.29%
Voters: 35. You may not vote on this poll

05-08-2009, 12:59 AM	#1
Ryuujin27 Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2009 Device: none	KindleDX will become the new top choice for manga and comics? If you look at all the features compared to other top ebook readers out there right now, it seems like the KindleDX will become the best choice for those who want to read manga and comics. A bigger screen, a support of many different kinds of formats, and the ability to rotate if you wish to view it long ways. It seems like they also say JPGs, GIFs, etc are acceptable through conversion, which I am hoping means you can take a folder of images, convert them, and be able to view the folder as a book/volume. But anyway, what does everyone else think? Best to wait for the DX for manga and comic viewing or just go with the Sony PRS-505 or something similar? EDIT Please post comments as well! Last edited by Ryuujin27; 05-08-2009 at 01:13 AM. Reason: Addition

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05-08-2009, 09:18 AM	#2
Wario Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 11 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: UK Device: Sony PRS-505	There are two reason I think it won't work for manga and comics, 1) Cost 2) No colour

05-08-2009, 09:56 AM	#3
Ryuujin27 Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2009 Device: none	Well, I can see why that is true for DC, Marvel, etc. However, for any form of Japanese, or even Korean, comics, there is no color there to begin with (except on special edition pages, and those are really just bonuses). So what would stop the DX from displaying these pages far better than, say, the PRS-505 could? *P.S. - The PRS-505 comment is not a shot against your device, it happens to be the device I will buy if the DX turns out not to be worth it.

05-08-2009, 11:08 AM	#4
forkyfork Zealot Posts: 145 Karma: 1664 Join Date: May 2009 Device: It's a long story ;)	I've read manga on my Kindle 2 before, and it's actually not too bad (keep in mind that Manga is generally published in shorter paperback-sized books anyway). I agree with Wario that American comics are going to be a tough sell without color. The style these days is to make the comics as dark as possible, which doesn't translate well to grayscale.

05-08-2009, 01:53 PM	#5
Ryuujin27 Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2009 Device: none	Yes, I would agree with you there. However, for me that doesn't matter so much as I don't really read much in English anymore. So most of my comics will be manga.

05-08-2009, 02:03 PM	#6
Gideon Wearer of Pants Posts: 1,050 Karma: 7634 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norman, OK Device: Amazon Kindle DX / iPhone	American style comics might not be bad at all. 16 shades of gray is pretty good as long as the screen is the right size. I'd prefer to read them in color, but I wouldn't mind having them in grayscale.

05-08-2009, 02:59 PM	#8
Gideon Wearer of Pants Posts: 1,050 Karma: 7634 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norman, OK Device: Amazon Kindle DX / iPhone	I think it adds a lot, but I'd be okay with it in a "look, I actually get to read comics because I can sneak one in when I have a few minutes here and there" sorta way. It's like reading magazines or newspapers for me - on my Kindle i actually get to do it because I have a few minutes here and there away from home and have it with me. When I get paper editions they just stack up... likewise with comics.

05-08-2009, 03:16 PM	#9
Daithi Publishers are evil! Posts: 2,418 Karma: 36205264 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rhode Island Device: Various Kindles	Adultswim's support of Anime seems to be waning these days, so maybe I should just start reading manga to get my fix. What are some good sites for getting manga? (I like Bleach.)

05-08-2009, 05:34 PM	#10
emmerich Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2009 Device: Palm Centro	Black and white digital editions would be great for the classic comics that Marvel was reprinting in the thick, black and white Essential collections. Older comics in general tend to look better in black and white, and there's lots of indie comics that are produced without color as well...

05-08-2009, 05:47 PM	#11
Satans Puppet Enthusiast Posts: 45 Karma: 100 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Sony Reader PR(whusit)505	Maybe when the Kindle features a colour screen. I think it'd be a good way for the older reader of comics to get back into them if they had the ease of downloading titles through the kindle network. It's the right kinda size but without colour it does nothing for me... I needs me colour and for it to launch with Graphic Novels from the outset Oh and being released in the UK would be nifty too

05-09-2009, 12:48 AM	#12
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	The KDX, or really any Reader with PVI's 9.7" screen, will likely be the best option when it is released, but there will be better alternatives within a year. Color EInk is one possibility, but more likely in the short term is better LCD technology. For example the Astak Spectrum probably uses the Pixel Qi 10" color LCD screen and will likely be available early next year if not sooner. Screen technology often gets behind schedule (the 9.7" screen has been promised since the Kindle 1 came out), but the Pixel Qi screen seems real (no samples yet though).

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