Manga reader for Japanese iPod/iPhone; AG issue 71 now printing

On the heels of Kindle’s release, ANN reports on Japanese software developer Voice Bank’s manga reader for the iPod and iPhone which, given much of the early opinions from web pundits, may have already bested Kindle when it comes to mobile reading.

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On that note, a few more quick thoughts on the Kindle…

Having had a chance to look at Amazon’s e-reader in person now, the twist is that I feel the e-ink screen is better-suited than LCD-equipped devices such as the iPod to display black and white images, which is the format of choice for manga.  Kindle’s price is still too much in the early adopter’s range though (and it’s still unbearably repugnant), but whether this first iteration of hardware is a hit or miss is not nearly as important to Amazon as laying the groundwork for a solid distribution service.  The DRMs and other limitations are annoying, but in all honesty, those are issues only for the tech-savvy… as long as the process of procuring a book from their online store is effortless, the average user wouldn’t mind proprietary formats and copy-protection, at least not enough to kill Kindle’s chance for success (see DRMed iTunes, DVDs, or even macrovision-protected VHS.)  Distribution is the one thing other ebook readers haven’t gotten quite right, but Amazon, leveraging its tremendous experience in online retailing, just might.

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Wow.  France wouldn’t have been even close to the top of my list for places where Alan Moore’s Lost Girls would face any controversy.  But it has. 

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The Beat and Comics212 were both on hand to witness Takehiko Inoune bless the new Kinokuniya store in New York with a mural.  Cool stuff, go look.

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Comic AG issue 71 is at the printer.  Yup.