Joining the world of digital comics this past week is Viz Media’s latest App, Sticky Dot, which showcases exclusively Viz’s all-age comic titles!
More and more, for all-ages comics we are seeing their own Apps as the way to go digitally. Archie has their own App, DC Comics has its DC-Nation App, etc. It’s just a way for parents to make sure their kids are getting all-age safe comics, and that’s not always a bad thing considering how fast the digital world moves; it provides them with peace of mind. So Viz launching Sticky Dot seems like a natural progression as we get these all-age friendly Apps. Layout wise it is very similar to Viz’s Manga App. There are featured and new sections to see highlighted titles, a list of all titles to choose from, and the screen that creates a library of all things you download to read. The main difference on the layout side is where the Manga App has a black and red color scheme, this App is bright with yellows and blues and bubble gum burst splashes all over, giving it a fun and friendly look.
Content side Sticky Dot launched with a ton of Pokemon Adventure titles, as well as Voltron Force, Redakai, Mr. Men and Little Miss, and Mameshiba. All titles are priced around 3.99 each to download per volume, which isn’t bad considering that depending on what title you buy, a volume can be anywhere from 80 to 200 pages, so economically it’s a good deal for digital. For a nostalgia trip back to 7th grade, I downloaded the first volume of Pokemon Adventures, which looks really nice on the digital transfer. Viz has kept it in unflipped format, so the screen moves right-to-left, everything really popping out on the iPad’s screen. For their non-manga titles, the screen moves left-to-right, so don’t worry, they made sure this App works for everything.
Sticky Dot is off to a good start. If you have any interest in all-ages manga or the original American style titles Viz has created under its Viz Kids imprint (such as Voltron Force), you can find it all here at a great price. Check it out!
Here is the official press release from Viz Media:
VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga, graphic novels and anime in North America, has announced the launch today of sticky DOT comics, its new kids comics app for the Apple iPad® and iPad® mini.
Sticky DOT comics, a proprietary app developed by VIZ Media, brings the best all-ages comics to the iPad with content featuring fan-favorite characters both
familiar and new. Fans can securely browse, download and read a diverse collection of popular manga and graphic novels including full volumes of POKÉMON, MAMESHIBA, MR. MEN LITTLE MISS™, REDAKAI and VOLTRON FORCE®.
Sticky DOT comics is available for free download through the iTunes Store. Individual volumes are available for purchase and download in the U.S. and Canada within the application for a debut price of $2.99-$3.99 per volume. Readers are encouraged to check the app regularly, as new series and volumes, as well as free previews, will be added frequently.
sticky DOT comics Launch Week Titles Will Include:
POKÉMON ADVENTURES
POKÉMON ADVENTURES: DIAMOND AND PEARL/PLATINUM
POKÉMON BLACK AND WHITE
POKÉMON: DIAMOND AND PEARL ADVENTURE!
MAMESHIBA: ON THE LOOSE!
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE: HERE COMES THE SUN!
MR. STRONG: GOOD THING I CAME ALONG!
REDAKAI
VOLTRON FORCE“Now with the sticky DOT comics iPad app, fans of any age can take their favorite family-friendly manga and graphic novels on the go,” says Beth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director, VIZ Kids. “There’s something for everyone in this debut, including the adorable adventures of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, the action of REDAKAI, and the awesome fun of POKÉMON, available for the first time in digital form, and we’ll be adding more exciting series and content to sticky DOT comics soon!”
For more information on sticky DOT comics, please visit the dedicated sticky DOT comics page on iTunes.
For more information on VIZ Kids graphic novels and manga, please visit VIZKids.com.
Drew McCabe
drew@comicattack.net
