Reading comics might actually be better in virtual reality

Comics have been a storytelling medium for over a century for a good reason: they're a great at it. As popular as movies based on those characters are though, it could be that virtual reality offers the best way to read about your favourite heroes and villains, by adding motion, sound effects and big reveals.

Madefire, a digital comic app maker, has announced that it's bringing the medium to virtual reality. Its app will soon be compatible with both the Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR headsets, enabling users to read digital comics in VR, as well as experience some unique 3D and VR environments inspired by the comic art itself.

To start with it plans to release a preview application that will make a number of comics free to users, including ones from DC Comic's Injustice Year One and Revolution, which bundles together universes like Transformers and G.I. Joe (thanks UploadVR). [yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rIOOR5RReM']

Each of these properties will be viewable in Madefire's one-panel-at-a-time cinematic experience app, with a new VR twist to them. Certain story environments may even allow readers to walk around them in the future.

This announcement comes at a time when Madefire has just secured several million dollars worth of additional funding, so this is likely just the beginning of its VR efforts.

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KitGuru Says: I'm actually pretty excited for this. Digital comics in games like Ironclad Tactics really show how strong a comic can be with panel reveals, sound effects and a bit of movement. I'll definitely be checking this app out when it has a Vive port. 

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