A new version of Comic Book DS has been released. Yeah, we thought the last update we posted about was the final one, but hey, as so aptly demonstrated by Square Enix, labelling something as "Final" doesn't mean you can't release another iteration after it.

Anyway, this latest update bumps the version up to 2.2 and includes quite a few new features, including better organization of your .cbds files and customizable background images for those who have grown tired of the basic black background. Here's a more detailed changelog:

• New DS: Display of the folders and sub-folders containing .cbds files, for a better organization.
• New DS: Alphabetical Sort of the .cbds files, according to the filename.
• New DS: Customizable background image. 3 background images are located in the "nds/ComicBookDSTheme" subdirectory of pictods. Copy them anywhere on your card (but all the 3 in the same directory), and you'll have those backgrounds displayed instead of the black one.
• New DS: Magazine (and vertical images) handling : While being on the bottom of the image, pressing the bottom key will move the visible area to the top on the right (of left in manga mode). Same behavior for the top. Page changed may also be triggered.
• New DS: Progressive Key scroll : 1 pixel scroll at the beginning, then quicker, until the maximum value is reached (the one defined in the .ini file)
• New DS: Animated scroll of the Title/Author/Provider/Image name, when their length exceed the visible area.
• New DS: A random book can be selected pressing the dice icon (visible in library mode, when the top-most folder is displayed).
• New DS: Changes in the way the right/left hands icons are displayed, reflecting better that the first or final page is reached (mainly in the view modes).
• BugFix DS: As usual ... small bug fixes and improvements.

For detailed instructions on how to install and use Comic Book DS, check the readme file included in the download. You can also get a few free Comic Book DS-ready comics as well as a video of Comic Book DS in action by clicking on the "via" link below.

Download: Comic Book DS v2.2

We have great news for all those who have been closely following Gnese's nifty 'brew for the DS, Comic Book DS. After bringing us two beta releases, he's now done finalizing v2.0!

But for Comic Book DS neophytes, everything you'll need to know about this app to put you up to speed can be found by clicking on the Read link below so make sure you check that out. But basically, Comic Book DS is a homebrew app for the DS which makes image viewing on your handhelds a whole lot easier.

Changelog:

• New DS: Renaming the .cbds files is not necessary anymore. The .cbds files can have any name (eg : "La Vie de Norman.cbds") and can be placed anywhere.
• New DS: The Library screen is more reactive to user inputs. When the book is not opened yet, the filename is displayed.
• New DS: Current page name is displayed during image load.
• New DS: Do not wait for key release anymore in Thumbnails and Library screens. This allows a quicker thumbnails navigation while keeping the key pressed.
• BugFix DS: The Stylus (touch screen) can now be used with R4DS and M3 Simply.
• BugFix DS: Sometimes, the selection frame of miniature mode was not displayed.

Download: [Comic Book DS v2.0 final]

Coder extraordinaire Gnese has once again updated his nifty homebrew app for the DS, Comic Book DS. Now, the changelog in this one may not be as big as the one in his last update, but as the overused saying goes, there's always room for improvement...right?

So anyway, v2.0 beta packs in a bunch of bug fixes as well as other minor improvements like the loading time of the image thumbnails and the made-easier renaming of files. Here's the full list of what's in store for you in Beta 5:

Changelog:

• BugFix PC: No more problem for renaming files (in specific cases some images were ot converted).
• BugFix PC: No more resizing of little images (before, the size was increased to reach the specified size). It's then quicker to convert small images.
• BugFix PC: There was a problem when some entries in pictods were unchecked.
• New DS: Quicker load of the thumbnails, miniature and images, once a comic book is opened (mainly for big .cbds files).
• New DS: Current page number is displayed during image load.
• New DS: A Warning message is displayed if there is not enough memory to fully decode the image.

We highly suggest you check out the readme for more info on this app including installation instructions, file requirements, and whatnot. Or better yet, click on the read link below especially if you're a newbie on this one... you wouldn't wanna miss out on some important information and end up screwing up your handhelds big time, right?

Download: [Comic Book DS v2.0 Beta5]

Comic Book DS developer">Gnese has just recently released the latest version for his DS homebrew comic reader and/or image viewer, which may now just become a personal favorite for this writer soon. So in comes Comic Book DS v1.3, which compared to its earlier counterparts, is now a lot smoother.

The creator of this homebrew notes that the whole package is composed of two parts. The first part is PictoDS by Nicom00k which you can use on your PC to convert your image files into an .nds file. You can even convert images that are compressed in either .zip, .rar, .cbz, or .cbr formats.

So after generating the .nds file using PictoDS, in comes Gnese's contribution which you can then safely install into your DS. Just run the .nds file and you can start reading your downloaded comics or images on the go. What's nice about Gnese's app is that it has a pretty well-polished interface. It's easy to use, and you can choose to read your comics in either the traditional DS position with the thumbnails and menu at the bottom screen and the close up of what you're viewing at the top screen, or in the "book" position with the close-up on the left screen and the menu on the right. Left-handed? Then just flip everything so that the touchscreen and menu is on the left.

In any case in v1.3, Gnese noted the following changes:

• Progressive zoom feature. Image can be zoomed in and out using some buttons or the on-screen scrollbar.
• A lock icon is added. When locked, the icons remains on the screen.
• Close-lit support. When the DS is closed, screens are switched off and energy is saved.
• Smoother animation for transitions.
• Key configuration changed, mainly for left handed landscape mode. Two buttons are also dedicated to the zoom feature (they were previously used for page change).
• The PictoDS icon is back.

Gnese has also noted that Java or MS .Net Framework may need to be installed, but when we tested this app, everything went fine without either. In any case, for a comprehensive guide, tutorials and troubleshooting help, just head over to Gnese's site by clicking on the "via" link below.

Download: [Comic Book DS v1.3]