From Ars’ review of the iPad:
Steinberger [who runs Comixology, the company behind the tech that powers both the Marvel app and Comixology's own app, called Comics.] doesn’t seem worried about Apple selling comics through the iBook store, either. "Comics are a particular medium. If you’ve ever tried to read one on the Kindle you’ll understand. (laughs) I don’t think the e-book format is going to handle it very well." I raised the possibility of buying a physical comic or trade paperback in the store, and entering in an included code to access a digital version on the iPad. "Stay tuned," he told me.
It’s hard to have a conversation about digital comics without bringing up the reality of .cbr and .cbz files—the scanned, often pirated comics. "I think it’s great whenever anyone gets into comics," he says at first. "Hopefully we’ll provide a better experience so people will move over to a more legitimate purchase model. For me, we provide a better experience, and we make it easier for people to get comics, and that’s how you beat it."
I gotta say, the ability to get digital versions of physical comics that I buy will certainly cut down on the amount of CBRs and CBZs that I consume. Additionally, the specter of purchasing trades will do the same. Buying individual issues just does not appeal to me.
