Amazon has announced that it will be combining Comixology’s digital comics library with the Kindle application on iOS, Android, and Fire OS, and the internet is not very happy about this.
A Nov. 14 press release from Comixology confirmed the impending merger, and it also confirmed the original app will be discontinued on December 4, 2023.
“Another terrible decision from the powers that be,” a former Comixology user wrote on Twitter/X after news of the merge was released. “You had the best digital comics service in the world with Comixology and ruined for no reason whatsoever.”
Another terrible decision from the powers that be. You had the best digital comics service in the world with Comixology and ruined for no reason whatsoever.
— Vexnexus (@Vexnexus) November 14, 2023
Previously purchased books on the Comixology app will now be accessible in users’ libraries on the Kindle app. To locate their comics archive, users can select “Comics & Manga” from the Kindle app’s filter menu to quickly view all of their comics, graphic novels, and manga. Comixology Unlimited subscribers will still be able to borrow new titles from the Kindle app’s extensive comics library.
“We’ve been hard at work upgrading the Kindle app to deliver the great digital comics, graphic novels, and manga experience you’re accustomed to in the Comixology app,” the press release states.
The business move doesn’t exactly come as a surprise; Comixology was acquired by Amazon in 2014, though the digital comic platform remained somewhat autonomous under its new leadership. The exception, for those who sought it, was that users could link to their Amazon accounts for no-hassle transfers between the Kindle Store and Comixology.
Since the initial acquisition, Comixology has rolled out a series of controversial updates that have prompted users to take to social media with criticism of the service’s confusing new interface. The most obvious change is visible in the overall aesthetic of the Comixology website — or rather, the lack thereof. With Comixology Version 4.0, the platform’s website was instead replaced by the Amazon.com storefront, which provides limited guidance for users on how to access the content in their comics library.
“Guys, just switch it back,” actor Patton Oswalt urged of the platform after the release of Comixology 4.0. “You can do it. C’mon. Switch it back and no hard feelings.”
Guys, just switch it back. You can do it. C’mon. Switch it back and no hard feelings. https://t.co/kcWNBzU0A5
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) February 18, 2022
Basic functions that were once signature to the Comixology reader, such as zooming or Guided View, were also removed from the new interface. Plus, the app’s accessibility took a major hit, with users outside of the U.S. and the U.K. now being required to make purchases through the Amazon store.
Many fans of the platform attribute Comixology’s degradation to Amazon’s influence, mourning the loss of a dedicated space for comics that is untethered to the mainstream marketplace.
“Amazon’s gradual dismantling of Comixology and all that once made it unique and distinct and comic book reader friendly continues,” one user responded to the platform. “Glad that they are at least giving the Kindle app some discreet comic reading functionality – but comics deserve their own dedicated app and store.”
Amazon’s gradual dismantling of Comixology and all that once made it unique and distinct and comic book reader friendly continues. Glad that they are at least giving the Kindle app some discreet comic reading functionality – but comics deserve their own dedicated app and store. https://t.co/EfbEFDiXE2
— Danny Baram (@DannyBaram) November 14, 2023
“WELP. Time to shop my book elsewhere,” another user wrote. “Maybe I should start my own website and people can pay and get it from there. RIP @comiXology. You changed my life in more ways than you’d think.”
WELP. Time to shop my book elsewhere. Maybe I should start my own website and people can pay and get it from there. RIP @comiXology. You changed my life in more ways than you’d think. pic.twitter.com/sbfH7DtkO3
— It Was All a Dream, I Used to Read Wizard Magazine (@UpToTASK) November 14, 2023
Some users are even reporting that large chunks of their library that were once available via the Comixology app are now missing on the Kindle app. Similar reports were made following 2022’s widely-detested update to the Comixology app.
“I [sic] missing so many comics from my library wtf just let me read in peace fix the issues !!!” one disgruntled user responded to a post from the official Comixology Twitter account.
I missing so many comics from my library wtf just let me read in peace fix the issues !!!
— Jorge Rangel (@redhood008) November 14, 2023
“Still missing about 2000 comics and manga so I hope you guys are going to fix this before December,” a fellow Comixology user commented.
Still missing about 2000 comics and manga so I hope you guys are going to fix this before December
— Yellow Redfield (@yellowredfield) November 14, 2023
“Just checked my library and literally hundreds of books are missing – have started a new sync and it’s done nothing,” another user agreed on the same thread.
Just checked my library and literally hundreds of books are missing – have started a new sync and it’s done nothing
— Matt Harrison (@MatchewieH) November 14, 2023
Users can still make the most of reading titles in the Comixology app through Dec. 4, when the merge becomes effective. Until then, Comixology fans can only hope this latest move puts to rest a long line of fumbles that have gradually eaten away at the livelihood of the once-thriving digital comics service.
Katie Reul is a freelance writer for IGN.
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