While the mainstream magazine industry is still struggling to find the right approach to their digital editions, the comics industry seems to be blossoming. The digitization of comics through tablets and smartphones proved to attract more casual consumers who are less familiar with comics. Thus, digital channels eventually tap into a wider audience then paper copies only. Also, the advent of the iPhone and especially the iPad paved the way for bigger, more colorful and versatile comics than before. New distribution models are not necessarily at odds with the marketing of paper versions.

At the forefront of innovation in the comic world is Comixology, producer of the app that allows users to purchase, store and read comics on the iPad. Comixology offers comics of the two largest producers, Marvel and DC. It has also helped them to develop their own apps and title-specific apps. Comixology is known for inventing a reading experience that's is described as cinematic, supposedly mimicking how the eye follows the printed page with a mode called "guided view”. Now half of all Comixology users prefer the 'guided view' to the original full-page mode.

The latest challenge for Comixology and competitor Graphic.ly is to be able to bring out digital versions of new comics on the same day as the printed versions are released in the shops. There is also still a lot to improve in the pricing of digital comics. Sometimes, digital versions are as expensive or even more expensive than the print version, while use is more limited by DRM protection. Comic producers insist on these technical protection measures to prevent piracy.

Read more about digital innovation in the comic industry at Cnet