comicsplus
Comics Plus, operated by LibraryPass, is a cloud-based digital platform providing schools, public libraries, and academic libraries with unlimited simultaneous access to comics, graphic novels, manga, and picture books from 20+ library-friendly publishers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersSaint George, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What comicsplus does
Comics Plus®, operated by LibraryPass and marketed through Joyful Reading Company, is a cloud-based digital content platform launched in 2012 that provides schools, public libraries, and academic libraries with unlimited, simultaneous access to thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, manga, and picture books aggregated from more than 20 library-friendly publishers (including ABDO, Andrews McMeel, Dark Horse, Kodansha, Image Comics, Yen Press, IDW, Fantagraphics, Oni Press, Tokyopop, and others). The product is delivered via a web platform (login.librarypass.com) and native iOS and Android apps with offline reading, supports seven enterprise authentication options (Google OAuth, Microsoft 365 OAuth, SAML, ClassLink, SIP2, Patron API, and IP authentication), and offers administrators granular title-level curation and transparent age-rating guidelines aligned to library-sector policies.
The business operates on annual B2B subscription licensing, with publicly disclosed pricing starting at $1,295 per year for Comics Plus Elementary collections and $2,995-$3,995 per year for bundled school tiers, while public library pricing scales with population served and academic library pricing is quote-based. Comics Plus is sold either directly via a sales-led motion (Request a Free Demo, [email protected]) or resold as part of the Joyful Reading Company ecosystem alongside Beanstack (reading challenge platform) and the Reading Motivation Index, with the Joyful Bundle and a Beanstack for Schools Ultimate tier combining the products. Customer reach spans 3,500+ schools and libraries in the US and abroad across three primary verticals (public libraries, PreK-12 school libraries, and academic libraries), supported by conference presence at events such as GaETC, AASL, and WEMTA, and validated by reviews in School Library Journal, Library Journal, the ALA Digital Public Library Ecosystem 2023 report, and CHOICE ccAdvisor.
comicsplus firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- comicsplus
- Legal name
- LibraryPass
- Website
- https://comicsplusapp.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Short description
- Comics Plus, operated by LibraryPass, is a cloud-based digital platform providing schools, public libraries, and academic libraries with unlimited simultaneous access to comics, graphic novels, manga, and picture books from 20+ library-friendly publishers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
comicsplus industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Library Platform
- NAICS
- Periodical Publishers (513120), Book Publishers (513130), Software Publishers (513210)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Webtoon & Digital Comics Publishing Platforms (MPAJAMAK)
Keywords
Where comicsplus is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saint George
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
comicsplus business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Annual Library Subscriptions: Annual subscription licensing of Comics Plus to schools, public libraries, and academic libraries. Subscriptions include digital access for every student/patron/faculty member, unlimited simultaneous checkouts, expert curation, and admin tools. Multi-year and group discounts are available; pricing for public libraries is based on population served.
- Bundled Joyful Reading Subscriptions (Beanstack + Comics Plus + RMI): Comics Plus is sold as part of multi-tier bundled school/library subscriptions through Joyful Reading Company alongside Beanstack (reading challenge platform) and the Reading Motivation Index. Tiered offerings (Entry, Standard, Advanced, Ultimate) include a Comics Plus digital collection at the Ultimate tier.
- Publisher Content Licensing (library-friendly publishers): Comics Plus distributes digital content from dozens of library-friendly publishers (ABDO, Dark Horse, Kodansha, Image Comics, Yen Press, etc.) under alternative ebook licensing models that allow libraries to curate diverse, broad-interest collections rather than only bestsellers. Revenue is generated via library subscriptions shared with content partners.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Beanstack for Schools - Entry tier (6 months, up to 100 students) |
| Subscription | Annual | Beanstack for Schools - Standard tier (Single Building) |
| Subscription | Annual | Beanstack for Schools - Advanced tier (motivation insights) |
| Subscription | Annual | Beanstack for Schools - Ultimate tier (joyful reading ecosystem) |
| Subscription | Annual | Comics Plus PK-12 - Elementary Collection |
| Subscription | Annual | Comics Plus PK-12 - Middle and High School Collections |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Public Library Subscriptions |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
comicsplus product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Comics Plus is a cloud-based digital content platform operated by LibraryPass that provides schools, public libraries, and academic libraries with unlimited, simultaneous access to thousands of digital graphic novels, manga, comics, and picture books from dozens of library-friendly publishers. The platform is delivered through native iOS and Android apps and a web portal, with multi-mode authentication, offline reading, and granular title-level admin curation aligned to each library's Collection Development Policy.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Comics Plus PK-12 - Elementary Collection Annual digital subscription tier for K-5 elementary schools providing students with unlimited, simultaneous access to age-appropriate graphic novels, manga, comics, and picture books from dozens of library-friendly publishers.
- Comics Plus PK-12 - Middle and High School Collections Annual digital subscription tiers for middle and high school libraries providing students with unlimited, simultaneous access to teen, YA, and adult graphic novels and manga from dozens of library-friendly publishers.
- Comics Plus Public Library Subscriptions Annual and multi-year digital subscription for public library systems providing every patron with unlimited, simultaneous access to children's, teen, and full graphic novel, manga, comics, and picture book collections.
- Comics Plus All-Access for Academic Libraries Annual digital subscription for college and university libraries providing every faculty member and student with unlimited, simultaneous access to graphic novels and manga for research, curriculum, and independent reading.
- The Joyful Bundle (Beanstack + Comics Plus) Combined subscription bundle offered through Joyful Reading Company pairing the Beanstack reading challenge platform with a Comics Plus digital collection for schools and libraries.
- Beanstack for Schools (Entry, Standard, Advanced, Ultimate tiers) Multi-tier school subscription under Joyful Reading Co. combining Beanstack reading challenges, gamification, and (at higher tiers) the Reading Motivation Index and a Comics Plus digital collection, with annual pricing from $2,995 to $3,995 per year.
- Comics Plus Web Platform (login.librarypass.com) Web-based reader portal providing online access to the Comics Plus digital catalog, with sign-up tied to the patron's school or library.
- Comics Plus iOS App Native iOS application for iPhone and iPad providing online and offline reading of Comics Plus digital graphic novels, manga, comics, and picture books to library and school end users.
- Comics Plus Android App Native Android application providing online and offline reading of Comics Plus digital graphic novels, manga, comics, and picture books to library and school end users.
Quantifiable outcome
- Unlimited simultaneous access enables an entire class, reading group, or grade level to read the same book at the same time with no waiting period (School Library Journal verdict).
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use comicsplus
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
comicsplus technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature5 records
comicsplus partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
49 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.
- Dark HorsecoreDark Horse is listed as a key publisher in Comics Plus's library-friendly publisher network. Its titles appear across Elementary, Middle, High School, Teen Public Library, Full Public Library, and All-Access for Academic Libraries collections.
- KodanshacoreKodansha is a key publisher across Middle School, High School, Children's Public Library, Teen Public Library, Full Collection, and Academic Library collections, providing manga content.
- Yen PresscoreYen Press is a key publisher across Middle School, High School, Teen Public Library, Full Collection, and Academic Library collections, providing manga titles such as Sword Art Online.
- Andrews McMeelcoreAndrews McMeel is a key publisher across Elementary, Middle School, High School, and Full Public and Academic collections, providing comic and manga content.
- Image ComicscoreImage Comics is a key publisher in High School, Full Collection, and All-Access for Academic Libraries, supplying titles such as Saga, The Walking Dead, and Invincible.
- Oni PresscoreOni Press is a key publisher across Middle School, High School, Teen Public Library, Full Collection, and Academic Library collections.
- IDWcoreIDW is a key publisher across Teen Public Library, Full Public Library, and Academic Library collections, including titles like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Locke & Key.
- FantagraphicscoreFantagraphics is a key publisher in High School, Full Collection, and All-Access for Academic Libraries collections.
- HumanoidscoreHumanoids is a key publisher in High School, Full Collection, and All-Access for Academic Libraries collections, including titles like The Incal and Métal Hurlant.
- Manga ClassicscoreManga Classics is a key publisher across Middle School, High School, Teen Public Library, Full Collection, and Academic Library collections.
- CapstonecoreCapstone is a key publisher across Elementary, Middle School, and Children's Public Library collections.
- ABDOcoreABDO is a key publisher across Elementary, Middle School, and Children's Public Library collections.
- PapercutzcorePapercutz is a key publisher across Elementary, Middle School, High School, Teen Public Library, and Academic Library collections.
- Europe ComicscoreEurope Comics is a key publisher in High School, Teen Public Library, Full Collection, and Academic Library collections.
- TokyopopcoreTokyopop is a key publisher across High School, Teen Public Library, Full Collection, and Academic Library collections.
- UDON EntertainmentcoreUDON Entertainment is a key publisher across High School, Teen Public Library, Full Collection, and Academic Library collections, including Street Fighter.
- LernercoreLerner is a key publisher across Elementary, Middle School, High School, Teen Public Library, and Academic Library collections.
- Saturday AMcoreSaturday AM is a key publisher across Middle School, High School, Teen Public Library, Full Collection, and Academic Library collections.
- TOON BookscoreTOON Books is a key publisher in the Elementary collection, providing graphic novels for early readers.
- Cherry LakecoreCherry Lake is a key publisher across Elementary and Children's Public Library collections.
- Classics IllustratedminorClassics Illustrated is a key publisher in Middle School, High School, Teen Public Library, and Academic Library collections.
- Cartoon BooksminorCartoon Books is a key publisher in Middle School, Teen Public Library, Full Collection, and Academic Library collections (publisher of Bone).
- Fanbase PressminorFanbase Press is a key publisher across High School, Teen Public Library, and Full Collection libraries.
- Valiant EntertainmentminorValiant is a key publisher across High School, Teen Public Library, Full Collection, and Academic Library collections.
- Mad CaveminorMad Cave is a key publisher in the Full Collection and All-Access for Academic Libraries collections.
- DynamiteminorDynamite is a key publisher in the Full Collection and All-Access for Academic Libraries collections.
- Graphic MundiminorGraphic Mundi is a key publisher in the Full Collection and All-Access for Academic Libraries collections, including titles like Gender Queer and Palestine.
- NBMminorNBM is a key publisher in the Full Collection and All-Access for Academic Libraries collections.
- Scout ComicsminorScout Comics is a key publisher in High School, Full Collection, and Academic Library collections.
- Apples & Honey PressminorApples & Honey is a key publisher across Elementary and Middle School collections.
- Blue Door EducationminorBlue Door Education is a key publisher in the Elementary collection.
- Dekko ComicsminorDekko Comics is a key publisher in the Elementary collection.
- FrederatorminorFrederator is a key publisher in the Elementary collection.
- ImmediumminorImmedium is a key publisher across Elementary and Middle School collections.
- Kid BeowulfminorKid Beowulf is a key publisher in the Elementary collection.
- Red Comet PressminorRed Comet Press is a key publisher in the Elementary collection.
- Zuiker PressminorZuiker Press is a key publisher across Middle School, High School, and Teen Public Library collections.
- TKO StudiosminorTKO Studios (TKO Presents) is a key publisher in High School and Full Collection libraries.
- ABLAZEminorABLAZE is a key publisher in the Teen Public Library collection.
- BOOM! StudioscoreBOOM! Studios is listed among the library-friendly publishers whose titles are available on Comics Plus for 3,500+ schools and libraries worldwide.
- Google (OAuth)coreComics Plus supports Google OAuth as a Single Sign-On authentication option for school and library users.
- Microsoft 365 (OAuth)coreComics Plus supports Microsoft 365 OAuth as a Single Sign-On authentication option for school and library users.
- SAMLcoreComics Plus supports SAML-based Single Sign-On for enterprise authentication of library and school users.
- ClasslinkcoreComics Plus supports Classlink as a Single Sign-On authentication option for K-12 school users.
- SIP2coreComics Plus supports SIP2 (Standard Interchange Protocol 2) barcode authentication for libraries.
- Apple (App Store)coreComics Plus iOS app is distributed via Apple's App Store, providing native iPhone and iPad access to Comics Plus content with offline reading.
- Google (Play Store)coreComics Plus Android app is distributed via Google Play Store, providing native Android access to Comics Plus content with offline reading.
- Beanstack (Joyful Reading)flagshipBeanstack (reading challenge platform) and Comics Plus are bundled and cross-sold under the Joyful Reading Company. The Joyful Bundle combines Beanstack and Comics Plus as a complete reading engagement solution for libraries and schools; Beanstack for Schools Ultimate tier includes one Comics Plus digital collection.
- Joyful Reading Company (parent)flagshipJoyful Reading Company is the parent entity operating Beanstack, Comics Plus, and the Reading Motivation Index (RMI). Comics Plus is sold as part of the Joyful Bundle (Beanstack + Comics Plus) and alongside RMI as part of the Ultimate school tier.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
comicsplus competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ProQuest (Clarivate): Large academic and library content provider offering ebooks, dissertations, primary sources, and research databases to academic and public libraries. Comparable in academic library subscription model, but operates as a broad content aggregator rather than a comics-specialist.
- Gale (Cengage): Major publisher of reference, academic, and library digital content (ebooks, databases, research tools) sold to academic, school, and public libraries. Comparable academic and school library distribution motion, though with a much broader and more established portfolio.
Direct peers
- Hoopla: Library-focused digital content platform offering ebooks, audiobooks, comics, music, and movies with a no-wait-lists model similar to Comics Plus's unlimited simultaneous access. Both sell subscription access to public libraries as their primary GTM.
- Epic!: Digital library for kids 12 and under, offering unlimited access to ebooks, audiobooks, and educational videos through school and individual subscriptions. Highly comparable in unlimited-access model and K-12 school library GTM, particularly in the Elementary segment.
- Sora (by OverDrive): OverDrive's school-focused digital reading platform that provides K-12 students with access to ebooks, audiobooks, and graphic novels. Closely comparable to Comics Plus's PK-12 school library offering in customer base, procurement motion, and content type.
- MackinVIA: K-12 digital content management platform used by school libraries to deliver ebooks, audiobooks, and educational resources to students. Comparable target market (school libraries) and authentication/integration-driven deployment model.
- Kanopy: Library-focused streaming platform offering films, documentaries, and educational video content via subscription licensing to public and academic libraries. Comparable unlimited-access library subscription model and target buyer (library collection development staff).
- OverDrive: The dominant digital content platform for libraries and schools worldwide, distributing ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and graphic novels via the Libby and Sora consumer apps. Directly comparable B2B SaaS model targeting the same public, school, and academic library buyers.
- Axis 360 (Baker & Taylor): Library digital content platform (now part of Baker & Taylor) distributing ebooks and digital audiobooks to public and school libraries. Comparable B2B library subscription model and catalog aggregation approach.
Emerging players
- Bibliotheca: Library technology provider offering RFID, self-service, and digital content solutions including the cloudLibrary digital lending platform. Comparable in digital library lending to public and academic libraries, though with a broader technology portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
comicsplus financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
comicsplus leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
comicsplus funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
comicsplus M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about comicsplus
What does comicsplus do?
Comics Plus is a cloud-based digital content platform operated by LibraryPass that provides schools, public libraries, and academic libraries with unlimited, simultaneous access to thousands of digital graphic novels, manga, comics, and picture books from dozens of library-friendly publishers. The platform is delivered through native iOS and Android apps and a web portal, with multi-mode authentication, offline reading, and granular title-level admin curation aligned to each library's Collection Development Policy.
Is comicsplus a public or private company?
comicsplus is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned.
When was comicsplus founded?
comicsplus was founded in 2012.
Where is comicsplus based?
comicsplus is headquartered in Saint George, United States, in the North America region.
How does comicsplus make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Annual Library Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are bundled Joyful Reading Subscriptions (Beanstack + Comics Plus + RMI) and publisher Content Licensing (library-friendly publishers).
Who are comicsplus's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ProQuest (Clarivate) and Gale (Cengage). Direct peers are Hoopla, Epic!, Sora (by OverDrive), MackinVIA, Kanopy, OverDrive and Axis 360 (Baker & Taylor). Bibliotheca is listed as an emerging player.
Does comicsplus have an API?
No public API is recorded for comicsplus.
What industry is comicsplus in?
comicsplus's product category is Digital Library Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAMAK, Webtoon & Digital Comics Publishing Platforms. Its NAICS code is 513120 and its SIC code is 2741.