Six months after launching its impressive digital comics platform, Neon Ichiban is entering its next era, introducing Neon Ichiban 2.0, a major evolution that expands how fans read, collect, and connect with comics and manga across iOS, Android, desktop, and entirely new immersive environments.
For those unfamiliar, Neon Ichiban is, say its creators, the next evolution in digital comics and manga – a future-forward platform where fans don’t just read, they can buy, sell, collect, and connect.
Founded by Comixology veterans David Steinberger and Chip Mosher, Neon Ichiban delivers unprecedented digital control, direct access to creators, and a resellable marketplace.
“This isn’t just a platform,” they claim, “the future of fandom is here.”
It’s certainly built up plenty of momentum, with numerous comic publishers on board, including 2000AD publishers Rebellion (offering plenty of 2000AD and Treasury of British Comics collections, but not 2000AD or Judge Dredd Megazine) and Titan Comics, alongside the major US companies – DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, Oni, and many others.
David Steinberger and Chip Mosher bring decades of digital comics innovation and leadership to Neon Ichiban. David Steinberger, former CEO and co-founder of Comixology, led the revolutionary digital comics platform acquired by Amazon. Under his guidance, Comixology transformed how readers access and enjoy sequential storytelling.
Chip Mosher previously led content acquisition and marketing at Comixology and Amazon. A comics publishing veteran, Mosher is known for his editorial eye and creator-first publishing approach.
Together, they co-founded DSTRLY Media, which launched in 2023. The company’s first year debut series, Somna, won the 2024 Eisner Award for Best New Series. DSTLRY’s innovative digital marketplace – pioneering resellable digital comics – laid the foundation for Neon Ichiban, where fans don’t just read, they collect and connect.
Introducing Neon Ichiban 2.0
Neon Ichiban, its creators say, was built to be the global home for digital comics and manga: one destination to read, collect, discover, and connect with stories and creators. With 2.0, that vision accelerates.
Neon Ichiban 2.0 is a full-scale expansion of the platform, introducing new native apps, deeper reading experiences, community-driven features, and new tools for fans and creators.
Whether you’re on iPhone, Android, desktop, or stepping into a new spatial experience, Neon Ichiban runs on the screens you actually read on.
“Neon Ichiban 2.0 is the moment digital comics grows up. One platform. Every story. Everywhere you read.” says David Steinberger. “We didn’t iterate – we have rebuilt the fan experience.
“Comics deserve a real digital home, and this is it. Reading, collecting, and community in one place.”
A Global Home for Comics and Manga
Neon Ichiban 2.0 is a sea change for digital comics and manga. This is where the next generation of fans discover their first story. This is where longtime readers build deeper collections. This is where creators and audiences meet directly, across continents. One platform. One global community. One place to read, collect, and connect. Neon Ichiban is your new home for a world of comics and manga.
“This is digital comics and manga without compromise.” said Chip Mosher, CCO & Co-Founder of Neon Ichiban.
“From your phone to your wall, this is how comics and manga were meant to be experienced. We’re building what’s next. Neon Ichiban 2.0 is the line in the sand.”
• You can check out Neon Ichiban for yourself at neonichiban.com
What’s New in Neon Ichiban 2.0? A Checklist
• iOS App 2.0 — Rebuilt From the Ground Up: A fully native iOS experience designed for speed, flexibility, and immersion. More reading modes, more customization, and a smoother, faster library.
• Android Beta — Native and Built for Android Readers: Built from the ground up for Android users, with a fast, native reading experience. Sign up here.
• Apple Vision Pro App Beta — Comics at a New Scale: Step inside the stories. Make your comics story-tall on your wall. Open multiple books at once. Read like you’re inside the page. Get the beta here.
• Creator Hub — Get Verified, Start Earning:Creators take control of their Neon Ichiban page, sell digital comics as a verified creator, and offer Remarques — digital signatures, sketches, and soon, custom commissions — directly to fans. Set your own prices and sign Remarques live at conventions. (Online commissions are coming soon).
• Community — Review Comics. Earn Rewards.Post your thoughts, share your knowledge, and connect with other fans. Rate, review, and earn rewards for reviews, lists, and discussions. We’re creating the best comics and manga community on earth, built by the people who actually read them.
• Watchlist — Never Miss a Drop. Track what you love. Get notified on price drops and releases. Build your list and stay ahead of the next must-read.
• Custom Lists — Built by You. Create customized lists of your reading and shopping picks. Get notifications on price drops, marketplace listings, as well as new items in the series.
• Print Pre-Order Rewards — Buy Print. Unlock Digital. Pre-order print comics at your local shop before Final Order Cutoff, upload proof, pick up your book, and get digital credit for each title. The weekly ritual, rewarded.
A Platform Built for How Fans Actually Read
Neon Ichiban was built on a simple idea: digital comics and manga should feel as good as the culture around them.
That means same-day-as-print releases, deep back catalogues across publishers, reading, collecting, and discovery in one place, and direct connection between fans and creators via Remarques
With 2.0, that platform shows up across devices, formats, and experiences.
“From your phone to your wall, this is how comics and manga were meant to be experienced,” the team enthuse. “We’re building what’s next. Neon Ichiban 2.0 is the line in the sand.”
• You can check out Neon Ichiban for yourself at neonichiban.com
Article based on press materials supplied by Neon Ichiban
- About the Author
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Comics, Creating Comics, Digital Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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