Nobrow release graphic novel app
Nobrow is well known for its wonderful range of talented artists, publications and of course the care and detail they put into the production of their printed work. You’d be hard pressed to find another current, young publisher who takes the time to select high quality paper and printers to create the stranded of elegant and intriguing design that Nobrow provides. This week the company has released an incredible app for those who adore technology as well as the physicality of printing, books and the original physical artwork.
It may seem weird to praise them for seemingly developing into the avenue of the printed book’s apparent enemy – the tablet! It would be foolish, however, for any modern company to snub the development of this technology, and Nobrow have gone further than simply releasing e-versions of their titles, offering nothing of the eternal quality that goes with it. Too often apps are created with no real advantage over the already well-trodden and beloved physical publications. What Nobrow have created here is special, unique and downright brilliant! Not only providing a digital copy to take with you and show around, the app also incorporates artist bios with videos and images of work in progress. There are two different ways to read, either page-by-page or panel-by-panel, giving you a dynamic range of reading experiences.
Ben Newmans profile with the Nobrow comic app
The truly unique factor of this app that sets it apart from any most e-reading apps has to be the inspired ‘layer’ function in which you can see each page/panel deconstructed into its line, colour and effect stages, enabling the viewer to greater understand the individual artist’s process or the printing technique that has taken place to create the wonderful variety of styles that Nobrow has to offer. This is great for those who perhaps don’t understand the printing process as well as the print nerds amongst us who take immense pleasure in seeing the technical process behind different illustrators’ styles. The whole thing is wonderfully immersive and open, the app managing to do a great job at setting itself apart from its printed counterparts and really enriching the readers’ experience of comic books.
Layers 3, 2 and 1 from Mikkel Sommer‘s comic Obsolete
If you’re a fan of Nobrow, illustration or comics in general I heartily suggest you download and have a look around to find out more about the incredibly talented pool of artists and engage with some of their cherry-picked editions showcasing the wide range of style, content and genres of stories they have to offer; There is something for everyone from this pioneering publisher!
There are currently seven different volumes form six different artists on offer with more to come, you can download the app from the app store here. The app is currently for iPhone and iPad. There will also be a live twitter chat with the apps designer via @nobrowpress on the 30/1/15 from 1pm-3pm using the hashtag #NobrowApp.