I always carve out some time during my vacation to relax and read. I enjoy comics because they are often fast reads. In many cases, I can finish a volume in less time than it takes to watch an episode of a television program or movie. While I like that fact, it also means that I have to lug around several books when traveling. For my last trip I decided to try out digital comics through Hoopla and just bring my Kindle Fire. Hoopla is a service available to Geauga County Public Library patrons that allows you to borrow digital music, videos, audiobooks, books, and comics. So I loaded up my Kindle Fire with several titles. To be honest, I was initially hesitant about reading digital comics. My first thought was how do you see a comics page with already small type on a 7” screen? But I discovered Hoopla offers a guided view that instead of reading page by page, it takes you panel by panel making it easy enough to read on even my iPhone screen. Hoopla work gorgeously on larger tablets such as the iPad Pro as well.
But what about content? Hoopla has an incredible comics collection that includes titles from DC Comics, Image, Archie, Valiant, Disney, BOOM, IDW, Dark Horse, and more. In the last couple weeks Marvel comics joined that list as well.
Hoopla offers simultaneous or almost simultaneous release as the print edition. You can get many popular graphic novels the same day they are released in stores. Want to read the newest Wonder Woman? Or check out Gerard Way’s new take on Doom Patrol? How about some of Spider-Man’s latest adventures? What about Waid and Staples re-imagination of Archie? Check out a fantastic backlist with classics including Neil Gaiman’s Sandman and X-Men: Dark Phoenix Saga.
There are great options for kids with titles such as Garfield, Tiny Titans, Phoebe and Her Unicorn, Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales, Scooby Doo Team Up, DC Superhero Girls, Princeless, Big Nate, and many others. However, parents should note that not all comics are kid friendly so they should monitor their child’s account and utilize Hoopla’s Kid Mode.
The best part of Hoopla is instant access. If you see it, you can borrow it right now. Skip the holds list for the latest Walking Dead and read it digitally. Geauga County Public Library patrons can borrow 25 items per month, so that will provide you with a lot of comics reading.
I’ve found myself reading comics digitally more and more. Not just on vacations, but also during spare moments. It is convenient, instantly available, and perfect for when you find you have a few extra minutes on your hands.
Nick Fagan is the Head of Mobile Services. He is currently reading Imagine Wanting Only This by Kristen Radtke.
