comicsplus

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.

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

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

• Digital comics library
• Graphic novel platform
• Manga digital lending
• School library subscriptions
• Library ebook access

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint George

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core 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

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

49 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Dark HorsecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDark 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.
• KodanshacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKodansha 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 PresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYen 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 McMeelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAndrews McMeel is a key publisher across Elementary, Middle School, High School, and Full Public and Academic collections, providing comic and manga content.
• Image ComicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImage 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 PresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOni Press is a key publisher across Middle School, High School, Teen Public Library, Full Collection, and Academic Library collections.
• IDWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDW 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.
• FantagraphicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFantagraphics is a key publisher in High School, Full Collection, and All-Access for Academic Libraries collections.
• HumanoidscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanoids 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 ClassicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManga Classics is a key publisher across Middle School, High School, Teen Public Library, Full Collection, and Academic Library collections.
• CapstonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCapstone is a key publisher across Elementary, Middle School, and Children's Public Library collections.
• ABDOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABDO is a key publisher across Elementary, Middle School, and Children's Public Library collections.
• PapercutzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPapercutz is a key publisher across Elementary, Middle School, High School, Teen Public Library, and Academic Library collections.
• Europe ComicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEurope Comics is a key publisher in High School, Teen Public Library, Full Collection, and Academic Library collections.
• TokyopopcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTokyopop is a key publisher across High School, Teen Public Library, Full Collection, and Academic Library collections.
• UDON EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUDON Entertainment is a key publisher across High School, Teen Public Library, Full Collection, and Academic Library collections, including Street Fighter.
• LernercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLerner is a key publisher across Elementary, Middle School, High School, Teen Public Library, and Academic Library collections.
• Saturday AMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaturday AM is a key publisher across Middle School, High School, Teen Public Library, Full Collection, and Academic Library collections.
• TOON BookscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTOON Books is a key publisher in the Elementary collection, providing graphic novels for early readers.
• Cherry LakecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCherry Lake is a key publisher across Elementary and Children's Public Library collections.
• Classics IllustratedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClassics Illustrated is a key publisher in Middle School, High School, Teen Public Library, and Academic Library collections.
• Cartoon BooksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCartoon Books is a key publisher in Middle School, Teen Public Library, Full Collection, and Academic Library collections (publisher of Bone).
• Fanbase PressminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFanbase Press is a key publisher across High School, Teen Public Library, and Full Collection libraries.
• Valiant EntertainmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerValiant is a key publisher across High School, Teen Public Library, Full Collection, and Academic Library collections.
• Mad CaveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMad Cave is a key publisher in the Full Collection and All-Access for Academic Libraries collections.
• DynamiteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDynamite is a key publisher in the Full Collection and All-Access for Academic Libraries collections.
• Graphic MundiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraphic Mundi is a key publisher in the Full Collection and All-Access for Academic Libraries collections, including titles like Gender Queer and Palestine.
• NBMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBM is a key publisher in the Full Collection and All-Access for Academic Libraries collections.
• Scout ComicsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScout Comics is a key publisher in High School, Full Collection, and Academic Library collections.
• Apples & Honey PressminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerApples & Honey is a key publisher across Elementary and Middle School collections.
• Blue Door EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlue Door Education is a key publisher in the Elementary collection.
• Dekko ComicsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDekko Comics is a key publisher in the Elementary collection.
• FrederatorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrederator is a key publisher in the Elementary collection.
• ImmediumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImmedium is a key publisher across Elementary and Middle School collections.
• Kid BeowulfminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKid Beowulf is a key publisher in the Elementary collection.
• Red Comet PressminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRed Comet Press is a key publisher in the Elementary collection.
• Zuiker PressminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZuiker Press is a key publisher across Middle School, High School, and Teen Public Library collections.
• TKO StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTKO Studios (TKO Presents) is a key publisher in High School and Full Collection libraries.
• ABLAZEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerABLAZE is a key publisher in the Teen Public Library collection.
• BOOM! StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBOOM! Studios is listed among the library-friendly publishers whose titles are available on Comics Plus for 3,500+ schools and libraries worldwide.
• Google (OAuth)coreTechnology or IntegrationComics Plus supports Google OAuth as a Single Sign-On authentication option for school and library users.
• Microsoft 365 (OAuth)coreTechnology or IntegrationComics Plus supports Microsoft 365 OAuth as a Single Sign-On authentication option for school and library users.
• SAMLcoreTechnology or IntegrationComics Plus supports SAML-based Single Sign-On for enterprise authentication of library and school users.
• ClasslinkcoreTechnology or IntegrationComics Plus supports Classlink as a Single Sign-On authentication option for K-12 school users.
• SIP2coreTechnology or IntegrationComics Plus supports SIP2 (Standard Interchange Protocol 2) barcode authentication for libraries.
• Apple (App Store)coreTechnology or IntegrationComics 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)coreTechnology or IntegrationComics Plus Android app is distributed via Google Play Store, providing native Android access to Comics Plus content with offline reading.
• Beanstack (Joyful Reading)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeanstack (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)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoyful 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

Broad 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

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about comicsplus