Marvel AR is an augmented reality application that was only released a few days ago and gives you a number of cool options found in new comics. The only comic utilizing the technology is the X-Men VS. The Avengers which was just released today!
Marvel AR was a new project shown at the South by Southwest conference a few weeks ago. Since then many comic book fiends have been drooling at the prospect of new digital functionality that came from the print editions of comics. Marvel AR is a free download from the Apple App Store and really shines with the new Avengers VS. X-Men comic book that was just released today.
I found in this comic book that around six different pages had the AR functionality. It included the cover art, which gave you an introspective on the events leading up to this comic. Other important factors included artists and editors actually appearing on the screen and setting up the entire storyline. Marvel AR also features biographies on some of the key players like Hope and the Phoenix. Finally, you get a chance to check out the entire art process that went into a few pages. You see the line art and all the stages involved to the final art piece that you see in the comic.
The AR experience is a bit buggy and hopefully should be refined in the coming weeks. You really have to hunt around for that sweet spot in order for it to work. You also have to hold the iPad very high up so the entire page is captured on the screen and if you move the camera’s field of vision, the animations spot playing.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
