MCM London Comic Con is coming up later this month. Giving you the chance to shop rare comics and merch, plus meet your favourite film, TV, and comic book characters in the flesh! But did you know that there’s a superhero right there in your pocket?
That’s right. With your phone, you can access thousands of comics spanning several decades and play games that’ll put you right in the shoes of famous heroes and villains. But before we look at some of the best digital comic book and superhero apps, let’s tell you what Comic Con’s all about…
What is MCM Comic Con?
The flagship Comic Con event takes place in San Diego every year and celebrates all things pop culture. Attendees get to interact with stars of film, TV, and the anime and gaming worlds. But lots of fans dress up as their favourite superheroes too (known as “cosplaying”). You can also walk around and shop at the various stalls filled with all sorts of sci-fi and fantasy collectables.
But in the last few years, Comic Con’s appeal has spread overseas. And MCM London is the UK’s biggest Comic Con event, taking place at the ExCel centre from 24-26 May. If you live in Northern England and London feels too far away though, MCM Birmingham returns in 2024 this autumn.
MCM London Comic Con app
If you’re planning on going to the London show, make sure you download the official MCM London Comic Con app for Android and iOS to get the most out of the weekend. It’s a big digital guide with maps and a full programme of Q&A panels, meet-ups, and autograph sessions. Making it easy to build and plan a Hulk-smashing day!
Best comic book apps for your phone
Print comics might still appeal most to the purists out there. But in an increasingly digital world, reading comics on your phone is way more convenient. And luckily, there are lots of specialised comic book apps that let you keep up with all the latest volumes anytime and anywhere.
Not only can you indulge in new releases, but you can even access a whole library of back issue comics from decades past. All these apps provide detailed, hi-res artwork that looks incredible on your phone. And some even have interactive features like animations and sound effects to immerse you even more.
Here are a few of our favourite comic books apps for iOS and Android smartphones:
Marvel Unlimited: Want access to over 30,000 comics spanning 80 years of the Marvel universe? For just $9.99 per month (that's about £8), they're all right there at your fingertips! You get unlimited downloads for offline reading on-the-go, new issue notifications, personalised recommendations, and much more. Plus, there’s a 7-day free trial so you can try it out before subscribing.
DC Universe Infinite: If you prefer the adventures of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Suicide Squad — this app is for you. There's more than 27,000 comics and graphic novels to dive into, with an enhanced comic reader filling your screen with stunning illustrations. It's a lot for just £6.99 a month. And like Marvel Unlimited, you can kick things off with a 7-day free trial.
Dark Horse Comics: Hellboy, Umbrella Academy, The Witcher, Halo, the list goes on... With the Dark Horse Comics app on your phone, you'll get access to all those ground-breaking series plus thousands more top comic and graphic novel titles. And the app is free, with comics individually buyable — so you can pick exactly what you want to read.
WEBTOON: If you're more into your manga, then you'll love WEBTOON. It's filled with epic sagas and short stories across 23 genres — from comedy to horror. And while there are blockbuster titles like Sweet Home and Tower of God, one of the coolest things about WEBTOON is that you can share your own stories with a community of over 72 million readers around the world. Wow…
Best mobile apps where you’re the superhero!
Want to play as your favourite superheroes instead? There are loads of top gaming apps for your phone that let you get suited and booted in the comfort of your living room, or on a train ride to work.
Here are some top action-packed picks for iOS and Android:
Marvel Contest of Champions: This popular, high-octane fighting game lets you pick your favourite superhero or villain and face off against over 190 different characters from the Marvel universe. The fierce 1-vs-1 battles offer fast and fun thrills, or you can change it up with the story mode for a more epic showdown.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — Shredder's Revenge: In this 80s-inspired beat 'em up, you get to play as all four lean and green meanies in their quest to foil Krang and Shredder's evil plans. There are more than a dozen levels to smash through, with a rad soundtrack keeping your heart rate up all the way through.
Injustice 2: This intense mobile fighting game gives you a whole cast of DC goodies and baddies to choose from. Take down foes with Superman's heat vision or blow them away with Harley Quinn's cupcake bomb! You can assemble and upgrade your own Justice League of legendary heroes and villains in dynamic 3-vs-3 battles, with a console-quality story mode to boot.
Who’s your most beloved comic book character? Share your number #1 hero or villain in the comments below! And if there are any apps we’ve missed on our list, we’d love to hear about them too.