I Switched to Digital Comics for 30 Days: How to Read Comics Digitally in 2024

I Switched to Digital Comics for 30 Days: How to Read Comics Digitally in 2024 | DC Infinite Ultra, Marvel Unlimited, Hoopla
In this video, I take on the challenge of switching exclusively to digital comics for 30 days. That’s right-no paper, just screens! Join me as I dive into the world of digital comics and share everything you need to know about reading comics digitally in 2024.
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00:00 Introduction
00:24 The Challenge
01:41 Marvel Unlimited
05:50 DC Infinite Ultra
08:12 Hoopla
09:57 How it went
10:53 Early Speed Bumps
12:34 Should you buy digital comics?
13:44 What I learned
14:26 Conclusion

[@phroz3n]

One of my favorite things about physical books is the fact that I can be absent of anything electronic. No lcd screens, no notifications or social media or apps, etc. I think now more than ever, for me at least, I need that separation and disconnect from the outside world, free from distraction. I want to feel the pages in my hand as I turn them. A tablet/phone/monitor will never replace my library of books. They are my cozy retreat to comfort.

[@TBATB]

I really like the way you worded it. It really is special reading with no distractions

[@TheChris-lw8eo]

Also, I don’t think DC Universe is using the community tab anywhere near as much as they can. They should add community made reading orders, so if I want to read the entire history of supergirl in order made by someone way smarter than me I can easily.

[@TBATB]

That’s a great idea! On all of them I just want to be able to read 2 pages at a time in landscape mode

[@jinkies1649]

@@TBATBthis is a pet peeve for me. I got a big iPad so I can read horizontally, why won’t they let me do it? They’re able to double page spreads horizontally, so why not the regular pages.

[@CarlosDias-er6dd]

I was a physical media guy for many years, regarding books, games, movies, whatever. Recently I found myself don't minding digital movies or TV shows. I even read some novels on a e-reader I bought. But I can't read digital comics. As much as I like reading them, I love collecting them. And the search, or the waiting for some comic book that I've been wanting to read for so long it's part of the fun.

[@TBATB]

I completely agree! But it was an interesting and fun test!

[@kurtlorenz46]

Great insights! I used to think I needed to own every book I enjoyed so I could share them with others, but digital is a huge game changer in that way and has led me to seriously curating my physical collection. Now I feel like I truly only own the "best" content available physically, rather than everything I thought was somewhat enjoyable. Hopefully this helps some people comfortably adjust and save some money.

[@TBATB]

I completely agree. It has really helped me slow down on feeling like I need to buy every single new release.

[@TheComicBookReport]

This video is incredible, wonderful primer on some of the digital comic services. And loved your insight as a physical media collector evaluating all of these! Brilliant video! 📚

[@TBATB]

Thank you so much! It was a lot of fun to shoot and I hope that it’s helpful.

[@JCtheComicGeek]

If your tight on space and money but still love & want to read comics digital is the way to go. Also with a family of 7 little ones it makes reading so easy and easy to take it with you on vacations. Granted its not for everyone.😊

[@TBATB]

You’re complete right! There is no one best way to read. It’s whatever works for the person!

[@williamrivera3449]

Don't know if there are any other videos out there that breakdown the different comic streaming services but you did a stellar job in this video Jake and Jordan!🔥 Keep up the killer videos

[@TBATB]

Thank you so much for the super kind words!

[@matthiasuy]

Wow. Talk about serendipity. I'm considering going full on digital comics because of storage space. This video helped my decision making a lot. It gave me a lot to consider. Thanks so much.

[@TBATB]

What an amazing word!

[@JennySparkz]

As much as I'm an advocate for reading/collecting on a tablet/ phone, always remember that you are only renting them and if the service disappears tomorrow or you stop paying to access it entire your collection is gone.

[@matthiasuy]

@@JennySparkz thanks for that info. I thought you would get a digital copy for download like those Kickstarter indy titles. This has given me something to think about.

[@blurjose]

Great idea for a video. I read in both formats. I'll sometimes read the same thing in two formats (if for example I want to read an omni in bed I'll switch to digital format for a few issues). I'm glad you didn't forget Hoopla. That really fill in the blanks for me and allows me to preview things.

[@TBATB]

I think that’s a great idea! The other day I started reading an absolute at my desk and then my wife wanted me down stairs so I started reading where I left off on the iPad!

[@afifthofjackgaming]

Before this year and to be honest before your book club I was anti digital reading... but when I experienced it with Hoopla I can see myself doing it more. Instead of blind buying, read it digitally and if I love the book adding it into the library. This will help out budget and space wise (like you, its getting pretty challenging at the moment). I need to upgrade my device... I think I was trying to read on old Kindle Fire from 2014, holy smokes didn't realize that it was that old.

[@ScrupulousProd]

Still feel very burned on what happened to Comixology. I like subscribing to DC Infinite and sampling books but if I’m gonna purchase a book these days, gotta stay physical. The last few years have taught us that these companies suck with digital media

[@TBATB]

Yes, that’s the conclusion I came to too. It will never replace the physical books I love, but it can help me sample so I don’t buy mediocre books

[@mwhite2232]

I've always been of the mindset, ill buy physical what I love and is worth the money, the rest ill "rent" . Digital ownership means having to pirate and store physically. Otherwise it's only a matter of time before services shut down and my license means nothing.

[@Darkstar5577]

It still exists. All the books you owned you still have on the Kindle app.

[@JoeCnNd]

@@TBATB So, did they bring comixology back? I was looking to see a review of it. It's showing on amazon for 5.99 a month.

[@Bat-Kato]

I've always read a mix of digital and physical. I really love just reading oversized copies of books and just holding them in my hands. I've always been a collector and having things to hold and look at means a lot to me. It was really hard when music kind of went all digital and I really grasped on expanding my vinyl collection. I've used the DC and marvel subscription services and I liked DC's a lot better, especially with how much more rapidly they're released.

[@TBATB]

I don’t talk about it a lot, but my job is running social media for Upscale Audio. We are one of the largest suppliers of vacuum tubes, and we sell amazing turntables that we set up a head of time! Check out our stuff if you’re a lover of old school music!

[@amroeloks8745]

Awesome video! Thank you ❤

[@fabian9307]

Physical media will always reign supreme. I understand the convenience of digital comics, not everyone wants to clutter their home with a ton of books but when you have a physical copy, its with you forever as where a digital comic can be lost if the server defuncts or you lose the device you read it on or just not having an internet signal. For the 15 years or so that I was reading and collecting I never resorted to digital comics. I was just never able to make that transition. Like a lot of collectors I like to have the book in my hand, flip through it, etc. And this is not me shitting on digital comics, I don't hate it whatsoever because for years I read manga online so I can't really sit here and say digital comics ain't it haha. :D

[@TBATB]

I think both have benefits, but I will always love physical books, but I do want to help make comics more accessible to people so hopefully this video helped people

[@supermedyas]

What sets apart the DC app is that for the longest time, it's still not available in most countries.

[@Ironaho]

Loving the MU app. Love the guided smart feature too. Not crazy about Marvel ngl, but i do love my Star Wars

[@PhilipF2049]

You can configure focus in your iPad settings so that when you open a certain app like Marvel for example, it will mute notifications. Big help 😉

[@TBATB]

That’s such a great idea!

[@BROWNMIST44]

The DC app sounds great. I might jump on there for the new Absolute universe stuff they’re launching. I’m in Australia, where your $4.99USD books cost me $13.79AUD at my local shop. It can be pretty costly to check out a bunch of new books, especially if the quality’s not there lol. Great video 🙂👍🏻

[@TBATB]

Thank you so much! It was a lot to fun to make! I hope it’s helpful to people

[@AaronTenino]

Google books work well for me. Lots of sales. I read mainly old stuff. I'm not sure how quickly new stuff makes it to the platform.

[@TBATB]

Oh I didn’t even think of Google or Apple Books!

[@yusef917]

Recently considering digital comics as I’m trying to curb my habit of buying so many ongoing series back to back. It also will help me make a decision on what I actually want in my physical library instead of me purchasing random omnibus that I see for cheap here and there. Also Local comic shops have these marvel must haves that are basically a free set of comics you own digitally on marvel unlimited and physically (if you actually pick it up in stores, it’s like 3 different comics in one binding )

[@TBATB]

I think switching to digital reading before I buy physical books has been a really great way to make sure I’m buying only books. I love but now that I’m doing more creator interviews I’m having to read more single issues.

[@tylerjc1000]

I wish I could buy different covers even for digital. I still use the comixology under the Kindle app. I do read a lot digitally but I still want my omnibus.

[@T-M-N-T]

That’s how I read & purchase my digital comics through Amazon now 😀

[@TBATB]

Ah that would be cool!

[@apilgrim8715]

Comixology is good because it works. Its not the best or most convenient but it works in a browser and the kindle download is ok. I also feel like the Comixology/Kindle app will always be around in some form so the comics will be available.

[@OVega-kt6oz]

Hoopla allows you to jump panel by panel on the page just view the page and then double tap on the panel you want to read. Love hoopla. Free and I get to read the books you review and If I were to really like it I might buy it. Great channel btw. I'm also a lifelong DC fan and Superman is my all time favorite hero.

[@TBATB]

Superman is my favorite! Thank you so much for the kind words!

[@bireland2012]

I prefer reading physically but in terms of value, digital is much better. I also save on a lot of space by not buying physical books.

[@TBATB]

I agree! I love both!

[@cuppiesaur]

I ADORE physical media - but I don't have a choice, unfortunately. I don't have access in my country to all the comics that I want to read and worst - I can't afford buying physical comics. So I read 100% online. I occasionally save money to give me a physical copy of a trade paperback that I love ♥ My dream is owning a Omnibus ♥

[@TBATB]

If you could get one omnibus do you have an idea which one you would pick?

[@cuppiesaur]

@@TBATB oh boy, probably some from X-Men like Uncanny X-Men (with the Giant Size X-Men cover), or New X-Men by Grant Morrison OR Wolverine and The X-Men ♡- if not X-Men, than I would LOVE the Doctor Doom omnibus or the X-Statix!

[@TBATB]

I want X-static so bad! I even have a green stuffed Doop!

[@soshiderek]

Good luck! Owned my very first Omni only two months ago lol! 🎉

[@JonnMcLoed-vo3fe]

The sad fact that I can see coming over the next 2 to 3 years is that single issue comics are going to be fazed out due to spiralling costs and dwindling sales. I haven't bought a new comic at all this year and all my reading is now online as it's cheaper and I to use an iPad pro so the experience is mostly positive. The downside is buffering that can completely ruin the flow or having to wait when everything is hot but I have a large interest so there is always something I missed first time around. I have still a few friends in DC that fear that apart from the big core titles that soon everything will go straight to trade paperback. I see the logic and I see it's a profit/loss thing but I'm old and sometimes I do miss the feel and smell of paper. A recent acquaintance that I met at a convention said that Marvel were losing so much money that there is a fear also of massive cuts to lesser loved titles. I hope that is not true but time will ultimately tell........JM

[@TBATB]

I definitely don’t think everybody needs to be like Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips and release trades. I wish I had the space for new comic books or that I could buy them cheap cheaper than buying a physical Comic Book but I know the margins just aren’t there. I try to do everything I can to support new comics, including interview interviews with the creators, but I just don’t have the space to collect them and collected editions

[@AlanisOcasio123]

I’ve only started collecting and since I’m decades behind in many characters I’m interested in I have to be very selective since it can be such a expensive item to collect so right now I’m only focusing on X-men ( my favorite) and once I’m content I’ll move on to purchasing other IPs. In the mean time I’ve been downloading other comics digitally which helps me figure out what I like.

[@TBATB]

Such a smart way to do it!

[@TBATB]

Who’s your favorite X-men character?

[@Vnclejed]

Hoopla has panel to panel with a simple double tap.

[@TBATB]

Haha I knew it had to have it but I couldn’t figure it out.

[@zachespinoza1794]

Great video and very informative!

[@TBATB]

Zach miss you dude! Hope all is well friend!

[@zachespinoza1794]

@@TBATB same dude!!!

[@GrantLairdJr88]

I wish you would show us using the Kindle app too.

[@jaremypyle6314]

Marvel U and DC apps not having two pages view is a shame. I’ve been requesting this for years on both services.

[@dockaster]

I see your Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck. Love that's the book you had in the video instead of the Big 2.

[@TBATB]

I thought to illustrate why I feel like I have to read at my desk I needed the biggest book I had 😂

[@parkereshbach7584]

Just bought a cheap tablet purely for comics and loving it. So far my favorite comic that I’ve read is superior iron man. Got any suggestions on what to read next?

[@TBATB]

Do you have a preference between marvel or dc? Do you have some favorite characters? So I can help narrow it down haha

[@jaredlucas4815162342]

I am digital only. If you shop the sales on Amazon it can be a much more manageable in the wallet way to collect without killing your wallet.

[@oiksteri]

Such a cool video! I definitely can see the benefits of having these digital subscription services and I have used Marvel unlimited quite a lot to help me decide if I want to buy certain books physically. Sadly we don't have DC infinite here in Europe, due to that I've had to buy quite a lot of my DC books blind. Hopefully we will get here as well in the future!

[@TBATB]

I hope so! Has there been any word on it coming?

[@oiksteri]

@@TBATB They only have a statement on their website saying: "Expanding to our international fans is important to us so we are working to bring DC UNIVERSE INFINITE to additional countries as quickly as we can. Stay tuned for more updates!" So who knows 🤷

[@roqueadeleon]

For digital comics you need drm free files that arent tied to a specefic storefront or app so you can read them anywhere

[@RaFonaRaFona]

Libby is a library app as well.

[@TBATB]

That’s awesome! I need to check it out!

[@Justin_Knows_Power]

Using DC and I'm finding it mostly meeting my needs. It doesn't have everything. What it does have is great and meets the majority of what I'm looking for. To homies point...you can take anything anywhere. Library apps are great if free or cost is an issue. You will likely take more time in the process than actually reading books. At least at first.

[@TBATB]

It was really refreshing and in a weird way made me appreciate physical books when I wasn’t allowed to read them. I’m finding myself going digitally more and more now

[@ryanho5432]

Hi! Cool video! I’m from Singapore and I really want to subscribe to the DC Universe service but it’s not available in Asia and it really sucks. I’ve been reading up a lot to try and figure out when it would become available but everywhere I look it seems that the conversation about any true global release just died off after 2022. I wanted to use a VPN to bypass the geo blocker but getting around payment and downloading the app seems too complicated to even work (as expressed by others online). Any thoughts on whether DC will still be working to bring their service to other countries? Cheers!

[@TBATB]

Sadly, I have no information, but I hope that more people get to read digitally around the world

[@mancal5829]

Hey, I noticed you were reading Scrooge McDuck comics. I did wonder if you ventured to more "kiddie" stuff (I have those) and what your thoughts were. (Admittedly, I haven't searched for that stuff in your channel).

[@TBATB]

My wife and I have a huge love of Disney. She even worked there for about 5 years. Sadly for awhile anytime I covered non DC stuff on my channel the videos would struggle. Now that I’m happy with the size of my channel and do it just for fun I want to start covering more non DC stuff that I enjoy.

[@ComicSwag]

Like collecting but sometimes I read digitally even if j have the omnibus. It kind of depends on the art style 90s for example j mostly like physical because of the panel layouts & 2 page spreads they just dont have the same impact on a widescreen

[@TBATB]

Yeah reading death and return, or absolute Overture on an iPad doesn’t hit the same

[@danielMC96]

The DC app still isn't available in the Netherlands..

[@TBATB]

Hopefully someday!

[@TherealDCAvenger]

1:23 Aaand that's why I buy physical. When you are buying a physical item you are sure that no one will take it away (unless it's stolen or something) I don't trust digital media because you don't actually own what you buy, rather you are buying a license to a use a file of whatever you bought and that licence can be revoqued if the company shuts the service down etc... If DC were to shut down business, they wouldn't knock on my door and ask me to give them my comics back. Edit: another thing I don't have to worry about my comic book freezing or not rendering properly or blacking out due to running out of battery lmao

[@TBATB]

All completely fair points! I tried my best to give a fair comparison of the pros and cons of digital reading

[@TherealDCAvenger]

@@TBATB Thank you and to be honest it those subscription services seem rather nice especially if they were cheaper I enjoyed the video and you got yourself a new subscriber :)

[@a1ex-p-yt]

iPad mini works perfectly for me

[@TBATB]

That’s awesome!

[@KevinReadsComics]

I really appreciate you showing how they work, that was cool. I don’t know if it’s for me though.

[@TBATB]

That’s okay! Read in the way that makes you happy!

[@mr.horseshoe2301]

Physical takes up way too much space and it susceptible to water and fire damage. All digital for me!

[@TBATB]

I live in Southern California so fires have definitely been on my mind recently.

[@mr.horseshoe2301]

@@TBATB Stay safe! Maybe consider relocating somewhere that isn't prone to horrific wildfires like that.

[@TheChris-lw8eo]

I haven’t used DC infinite since last year but man was it a clunky app IMHO. There was a bug lasting over a year where you couldn’t look at comics horizontally.

[@TBATB]

Do you think it’s gotten better?

[@TheChris-lw8eo]

@@TBATB I hope it has! It used to randomly not download issues and crash ALOT for me. This was back in 2022 or so. When it worked it was perfect though. I let my sub lapse and got a year of marvel unlimited for $50. There’s pros and cons with each but an underrated part of DCUI is being able to flip a page with a tap as opposed to a swipe on MU. It’s a very very small thing but it’s noticeable to me

[@TBATB]

It’s weird how the small things matter but they definitely do!

[@matador8822]

What do you think, is the 14.6 samsung ultra too big for casual reading? Is it maybe better to go with 12.4 (lighter, cheaper)?

[@TBATB]

Haha I don’t ever think a screen can be too big!

[@pichu710]

I read on a S8 Ultra and it's an amazing reading experience. It is a little large so instead of using one hand to hold it, I prop it up on my legs as I read.

[@matador8822]

@@pichu710 yeas, the weigth is the thing. on the other hand, one usually doesnt hold even the 10-11 inch tablet in one hand

[@JennySparkz]

The 14.6 is a game changer. Absolutely beautiful screen and colors and if the 12.4 is an OHC the 14.6 is an Absolute!! (for reference The Planetary book at the beginning from where he pulled out the tablet is an absolute.) Used to have a 14.6 and it was amazing to read comics on but currently "get by" with a 12.4 which felt like a downgrade. Cannot wait to get back to the 14.6 when the Black Friday rolls around. It is true what they say, there is no going home.

[@ceetee2001]

SO... HOW do i read DC comics in Sweden Europe? Marvel. No problem. I use Marvel Unlimited. But i have waited YEARS for DC to make an app and releasing it in Europe... And i will never read on Kindle app. This makes me not want to read DC at all. Such a shame.

[@TBATB]

Sadly I only know about reading digital comics in my country. If you find a good solution let me know and I will share it with others!

[@MRCHAMP310]

Wait till you find out you can buy sell and read them in AR all on your phone 📱 in the Veve app

[@AdrianMartinez-cw4bi]

what is the best affordable tablet for reading comics? thank you

[@TBATB]

I have heard many say the Amazon fire tablets!

[@ajeesh3485]

How to get into comics? Say If I want to start reading thor, where should I start?

[@TBATB]

Let me make a video on this. I know more DC characters but my favorite Thor run was Thor by Jason Aaron.

[@thomasscottwilliams6672]

I started reading comics via comixology a few years back and it automatically paid for next issue and downloaded it ready then it stopped the automatic subscription process and then stopped , so I’ve bought a lot of omnibus plural in different arcs and absolute in favourite but digital made reading them easily for visually impaired

[@TBATB]

Shame about comixology.

[@erikriggiola6780]

How far back can you go in comic selection?

[@TBATB]

Honestly to the beginning!

[@WatchYeego]

I don't get why DC only has it limited to US users though

[@TBATB]

Ah I didn’t know about that sorry!

[@andrewsmith4575]

Marvel not having new issues until 3 months after release is... well it's rubbish isn't it? No interest in paying for that, thanks Marvel.

[@bradparsons6419]

Is there a way to read Image and other indie books?

[@TBATB]

The best place is hoopla

[@EstonianBerserker]

Would you prefer reading it on, iPad or MacBook?

[@TBATB]

iPad! All the way!

[@adammagson]

Isnt comixoligy simply kindle, now?

[@TBATB]

It might be, but honestly, I don’t like to give Amazon business

[@ThePalePatriot]

Why can it not replace physical reading?

[@TBATB]

There’s something magic about feeling paper in your hands

[@ThePalePatriot]

@@TBATB And the smell.....

[@KandemirMithat]

I don’t wanna jinx it but marvel unlimited is 1$ in my country. 😂

[@TBATB]

Great value!

[@mickeymikkelson5337]

I love digital books and will never go back!

[@TBATB]

Unless the book is an absolute or a Taschen I’m way more of a fan of digital

[@xXBLAKGOATXx]

Idk who you are but your awesome ive been given a migraine by all the idiot youtubers and its nice to just chill out to a decent video for once been suffering for the past 3 hours until i found your video thank you !

[@TBATB]

I am so sorry that you’re suffering with a migraine. I know how terrible and debilitating those can be. On my channel we try to keep everything positive and only talk about things that we love. I hope you enjoy the rest of my videos and welcome to the channel!

[@xXBLAKGOATXx]

Then theres me i got a galaxy tab s5e for $100 so literally the best possible display on a tablet if not taking into consideration of frame rate and put in a 256gb sd card i had lying around gunna upgrade it to a 1.5tb eventually but i can literally have a library worth of books all on one paper thin tablet in my book shelf so when ever i want to read something its all there. All for $100 we live in a wonderful world

[@TBATB]

I still love collecting but digital just has so many benefits

[@xXBLAKGOATXx]

😂😂😂😂 ahhh i dont know if i would ever declare you own a digital copy of something if your locked into a company or provider such a apple or any media platform as you really only buying the licence to watch that digital copy on there platform only real way it own a digital copy is if you literally have the digital copy your self in what ever storage medium you possess like for comic I recommend a PDF or CBR bc then its actually a digital copy if you need a specific app its not a digital copy its just you being allowed to view there copy that they sell you a licence to

[@xXBLAKGOATXx]

There we go cbz that works too he knows 👍