After a discussion on Twitter today about the great smell of non-glossy old fashion newspaper pressed comics, I decided to share my favorite iPad comic reading app. If you are a developer trying to make an app for reading comics, I strongly suggest you take a look at the top of the class competition out there. I have 3-4 other comic apps for more of a variety of comics available in one place, but they never beat the work of Darkhorse. The app is FREE. There are many FREE comics available within, but I found they only suck you into the series and you end up buying more to see what happens.

Pricing varies, but in general it is cheaper than paper comics and in most cases over half off. This is not recommended for iPhones. I would never suggest anyone try to read any comics on an iPhone actually. I was surprised that I gave into the digital age of comic reading so fast. Despite my initial resistance (and now my love for the little digital bastards), I still go buy the paper no matter what.

Inside the app.

The store:

Easy to use, search and purchase.

View of inside the comic:

This is cool. Simply cool. You can view the whole page and swipe to go to the next page or you can double tap and swipe from bubble to bubble. It is brilliant and it is never too small either way you go. Personally, I set it up to go fullpage, then bubble to bubble, then fullpage again so I can take in all the scenery. 

This view is one full page then a bubble view on the same page. Get the picture?

The above comic is Mass Effect. Yes, the video game. It is the first one released and I am very excited to read more as they come out.

Worried about taking up too much space? No problem. You can archive your free and purchased comics at any time and go back to them. Darkhorse Comics is offering all kinds of neat deals on their blog for free comics in this app via scavenger hunts and contests too.

Website: http://www.darkhorse.com/

Blog: http://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/

Get the app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id415378623

If you do get this app, I guarantee you will love it so make sure you give the developers a 5 star rating in the app store!

And don't forget your roots, kill a tree and buy paper!

Geek SQUEEEEE! Call of Duty? Beta Testing? I am there!

BOOM!

Headshot.

DOUBLE RAINBOW!

Please click photo to enlarge details or visit: http://joplinmo.org/tornadoinfo.cfm#vol

Get involved!

Volunteer, it is easy!

Joplin, Missouri

I have seen many tragedies. Joplin, Missouri was struck by one of the worst tornadoes in American history on May 22, 2011. Houses are literally in toothpick shavings. Hundreds of people are still missing as I write this and over 120 people have lost their lives. By far, this is the worst tragedy since Katrina and the worst tornado devastation I have ever seen.


Please consider donating time, supplies or money to this devastated area. Red Cross depends on your donations of blood and money to feed, house and give medical attention to the victims. Red Cross offers immediate assistance when the government is still assessing the situation and Search and Rescue Operations are still under full swing.

The Red Cross is the first medical attention you get, the first meal you get, the first bed you get and the first hug you get after a tragedy strikes, small or large. The Red Cross leads you to your next steps when you do not know what to do and they take your hand to lead you on your path starting over.

The Red Cross offers hope for the future.

http://www.redcross.org/ or call 800-RED-CROSS

Mission Statement:
"The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, will provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies."

I took this photo while volunteering the first few days, May 23, 2011

Will Norton was on his way home from one of the biggest days in a persons life, his Highschool Graduation. He was with his father when he was sucked out of the sunroof of the car they were driving on Sunday in Joplin, Missouri during the tornado.

http://www.facebook.com/FindWillNorton

In Joplin? Help us search for Will Norton Friday 9:30am @ Freeman Hospital Cafeteria. 

You can help Search and Rescue or you can help clean up by going to MSSU's Billingsly Hall. You will be provided with a bracelet, gear and a bus ride to grid locations.

Volunteer: United Way Missouri residents can call 211 from cell or   800-427-4626for disaster info, shelter, volunteer & referrals.

Make a United Way donation for $10.00 simply text JOPLIN at 864833

Red Cross: $10.00 donation text REDCROSS at 90999

You can help Search and Rescue or you can help clean up by going to MSSU's Billingsly Hall. You will be provided with a bracelet, gear and a bus ride to grid locations.


Here is a video I recorded while working in Joplin. This is why you should give. 

What can I say about iPad 2? It has set my LOL-OCD-ADD into full rage mode. I've literally forgotten about my laptop and netbook. Yes, I'm blogging from the iPad right now. Go Posterous app!

I am a long time fan and a long time member of the "AT&T Rapes My Wallet Monthly" crew. After much debate and research, I opted for the Verizon iPad. They have more data plans available at better pricing and they have better service in rural areas. Did my research pay off? Only time will tell. I am 100% satisfied with the service they have offered and provided thus far.

In other news:

Where have I been? You can always find me on Twitter being a geeky numbskull (@TrekJen). Or you can also find me with a bloody nose from walking into walls from my newest gadget anywhere there is wifi and 3G. *Coming to a town near you this summer

I've jumped back into the world of XBox. After weeks of going without online competition from the hacking of Playstation/Sony, I broke down. If I didn't just get Mortal Kombat for PS3 and get denied my online skull smashing of little boys, I would have held out longer.

What I've occupied my time with:
-Book I'm reading: Darkness Under the Sun by Dean Koontz
-Album I'm playing the most: Hot Sauce Committee Part Two by the Beastie Boys
-Games I'm playing the most: Force Unleashed 2 (Xbox, just started the game)
Minecraft (PC)
Socom (PSP)
Mortal Kombat offline mode (Playstation 3)
Battlefield Bad Company 2 (iPad)
Star Trek Online (PC) (barely playing because it needs so much time)
-TV show I'm watching: Lost (Yes, again, and I'm behind on everything else)
-New comics I'm reading this month: All the Star Trek elder TOS spin off series by IDW (finally) and this doesn't include my weekly pick ups at the store.
-Best movie I've seen this month: Thor
-Worst movie I've seen this month: Green Hornet
-What I'm eating the most: Red Vines
-My beverage addiction of the month: Snapple Green and Black Raspberry Tea
-What I've ordered online the most this month: Ript Teeshirts (I'm horribly addicted)
-Times have I taken my longboards apart: 23 (since I can't ride right now, it's only logical)