u/Carapil

Hey r/selfhosted,

If you run a self-hosted Komga server to manage your digital comics and graphic novels, you already know that finding a modern, fluid, and native Android client is a massive pain point. Most existing readers look like they haven’t been updated since 2013 and struggle with streaming heavy files over the network.

Over the last few months, I decided to fix this by building a premium application from scratch: Apex Comics.

I designed it to bridge the gap between self-hosted setups and modern mobile UX. I'm proud to share that it has been officially recognized and added to the official Komga documentation as a recommended client: http://komga.org/docs/guides/apexcomics/

Here is how it integrates with your setup:

• Native Komga Streaming: Connect directly to your server to browse, stream, and sync your libraries seamlessly on your Android phone or tablet.
• Immersive Guided View: A fluid, panel-by-panel reading mode that automatically transitions from frame to frame, completely preventing spoilers on smaller screens.
• Hybrid Storage Support: Full support for local CBZ, CBR, and PDF files, alongside cloud storage connectivity if you store archives outside your home server.
• Smart Organization: An offline-first library structure that automatically caches and groups your streamed or local files into clean series.
• Advanced Stats Hub: For the data-nerds, it tracks reading habits, session history, and heatmaps over time.

Transparency on the Business Model: The app operates on a freemium model. Core functionality including Komga server streaming, cloud access, local reading, and library management is completely free to use (supported by standard ads). There is a paid Premium tier available to permanently strip ads, unlock advanced UI customization, and access the full Stats Hub.

I really wanted to create a client that respects your self-hosted data structure while offering a modern UI that feels on par with platforms like Marvel Unlimited or Webtoon.

You can find the app and full documentation here: https://apex-comics.uppr.be and the app link here: Apex Comics on Play store

I’m actively maintaining and developing this project. I would love to get your technical feedback, thoughts on the streaming performance, or any feature requests regarding the Komga API integration!

Hey everyone,

I collect comics digitally. Over the years I've tried a lot of readers - most of them feel like "open a folder and swipe." Fine, but not how I think about a collection.

I've been building Apex Comics for a long time, and it just went live on Google Play. I'm an indie dev and a comic reader myself - I got tired of file browsers pretending to be libraries, and apps that either lock basics behind subscriptions or treat your collection like an afterthought.

So I built the reader I wanted on my shelf.

A library, not a file list

Apex is an Android reader built for comics - CBZ and CBR files. Point it at your folder once - series group naturally, progress stays honest, covers and issue details turn raw archives into a shelf you're proud to open. Searchable, organized, actually pleasant to browse. Offline-first. No forced cloud. No account required. Your files stay on your device.

v1 is comics-first. I'm deliberately focusing on the Western comic collector experience (Marvel, DC, indie shelves, etc.) before expanding. Manga and webtoons may come in future updates - each format deserves its own reading logic - but right now the priority is doing comics right.

Reading that respects the medium (free)

• Full-screen reader with horizontal, vertical, and dual-axis modes
• Ambient mode - soft background color pulled from the page art
• Deep zoom, smooth page turns, pull to jump to the next issue without breaking flow
• Progress saved locally, covers and metadata enrichment

Premium (optional - one lifetime unlock, no monthly fee)

The core reader stays free. Premium is for collectors who want the full ritual:

• Guided View - panel-by-panel reading on dense pages, in the order the artist intended
• X-Ray - who's on the page, powers, creators, backstory, without spoiling the rest of the universe
• Discovery - follow your series, browse this week and next from Marvel, DC, Image, Dark Horse, Boom!, IDW, and more; alerts when books you care about drop
• Premium Stats - activity heatmap, reading streaks, verified completions, top series, heroes, and publishers - all local and private, no ad dashboards
• Multiple libraries - Keep separate collections — manga, Marvel, backups — each with its own folder, sections, and sort. Switch instantly without rescanning.
• Ad-free reading

Launch Offer: To celebrate the v1 release and thank early adopters, the lifetime unlock is currently $9.99 (regular price $12.99).

One payment. Lifetime. No subscription eating into your pull list budget.

Why I'm posting

This is v1 on the store - comics only for now. I'm not pretending it's perfect - I'm here because I genuinely want your feedback from comic readers. Bugs, UX friction, missing features, "why did you do it this way?" - all welcome.

I also created a subreddit to keep the conversation in one place:

r/apexcomics - https://www.reddit.com/r/apexcomics/

Roadmap ideas, feature requests, show-and-tell of your setup - that's the home for it.

Try it

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.uppr.apexcomics

There's a fuller breakdown with screenshots, feature details, and pricing on the site: https://apex-comics.uppr.be/

If you test it, I'd love to hear:

• Does your library scan and organize the way you expect?
• How does the reader feel compared to what you use today?
• What's the one thing your current reader still doesn't do right?

Thanks for reading. Happy to answer anything in the comments.

Hey everyone,

I collect comics digitally. Over the years I've tried a lot of readers - most of them feel like "open a folder and swipe." Fine, but not how I think about a collection.

I've been building Apex Comics for a long time, and it just went live on Google Play. I'm an indie dev and a comic reader myself - I got tired of file browsers pretending to be libraries, and apps that either lock basics behind subscriptions or treat your collection like an afterthought.

So I built the reader I wanted on my shelf.

A library, not a file list

Apex is an Android reader built for comics - CBZ and CBR files. Point it at your folder once - series group naturally, progress stays honest, covers and issue details turn raw archives into a shelf you're proud to open. Searchable, organized, actually pleasant to browse. Offline-first. No forced cloud. No account required. Your files stay on your device.

v1 is comics-first. I'm deliberately focusing on the Western comic collector experience (Marvel, DC, indie shelves, etc.) before expanding. Manga and webtoons may come in future updates - each format deserves its own reading logic - but right now the priority is doing comics right.

Reading that respects the medium (free)

• Full-screen reader with horizontal, vertical, and dual-axis modes
• Ambient mode - soft background color pulled from the page art
• Deep zoom, smooth page turns, pull to jump to the next issue without breaking flow
• Progress saved locally, covers and metadata enrichment

Premium (optional - one lifetime unlock, no monthly fee)

The core reader stays free. Premium is for collectors who want the full ritual:

• Guided View - panel-by-panel reading on dense pages, in the order the artist intended
• X-Ray - who's on the page, powers, creators, backstory, without spoiling the rest of the universe
• Discovery - follow your series, browse this week and next from Marvel, DC, Image, Dark Horse, Boom!, IDW, and more; alerts when books you care about drop
• Premium Stats - activity heatmap, reading streaks, verified completions, top series, heroes, and publishers - all local and private, no ad dashboards
• Ad-free reading

Launch Offer: To celebrate the v1 release and thank early adopters, the lifetime unlock is currently $9.99 (regular price $12.99).

One payment. Lifetime. No subscription eating into your pull list budget.

Why I'm posting

This is v1 on the store - comics only for now. I'm not pretending it's perfect - I'm here because I genuinely want your feedback from comic readers. Bugs, UX friction, missing features, "why did you do it this way?" - all welcome.

I also created a subreddit to keep the conversation in one place:

r/apexcomics - https://www.reddit.com/r/apexcomics/

Roadmap ideas, feature requests, show-and-tell of your setup - that's the home for it.

Try it

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.uppr.apexcomics

If you test it, I'd love to hear:

• Does your library scan and organize the way you expect?
• How does the reader feel compared to what you use today?
• What's the one thing your current reader still doesn't do right?

Thanks for reading. Happy to answer anything in the comments.

Hey everyone,

I collect comics digitally. Over the years I've tried a lot of readers - most of them feel like "open a folder and swipe." Fine, but not how I think about a collection.

I've been building Apex Comics for a long time, and it just went live on Google Play. I'm an indie dev and a comic reader myself - I got tired of file browsers pretending to be libraries, and apps that either lock basics behind subscriptions or treat your collection like an afterthought.

So I built the reader I wanted on my shelf.

A library, not a file list

Apex is an Android reader built for comics - CBZ and CBR files. Point it at your folder once - series group naturally, progress stays honest, covers and issue details turn raw archives into a shelf you're proud to open. Searchable, organized, actually pleasant to browse. Offline-first. No forced cloud. No account required. Your files stay on your device.

v1 is comics-first. I'm deliberately focusing on the Western comic collector experience (Marvel, DC, indie shelves, etc.) before expanding. Manga and webtoons may come in future updates - each format deserves its own reading logic - but right now the priority is doing comics right.

Reading that respects the medium (free)

• Full-screen reader with horizontal, vertical, and dual-axis modes
• Ambient mode - soft background color pulled from the page art
• Deep zoom, smooth page turns, pull to jump to the next issue without breaking flow
• Progress saved locally, covers and metadata enrichment

Premium (optional - one lifetime unlock, no monthly fee)

The core reader stays free. Premium is for collectors who want the full ritual:

• Guided View - panel-by-panel reading on dense pages, in the order the artist intended
• X-Ray - who's on the page, powers, creators, backstory, without spoiling the rest of the universe
• Discovery - follow your series, browse this week and next from Marvel, DC, Image, Dark Horse, Boom!, IDW, and more; alerts when books you care about drop
• Premium Stats - activity heatmap, reading streaks, verified completions, top series, heroes, and publishers - all local and private, no ad dashboards
• Multiple libraries - Keep separate collections — manga, Marvel, backups — each with its own folder, sections, and sort. Switch instantly without rescanning.
• Ad-free reading

Launch Offer: To celebrate the v1 release and thank early adopters, the lifetime unlock is currently $9.99 (regular price $12.99).

One payment. Lifetime. No subscription eating into your pull list budget.

Why I'm posting

This is v1 on the store - comics only for now. I'm not pretending it's perfect - I'm here because I genuinely want your feedback from comic readers. Bugs, UX friction, missing features, "why did you do it this way?" - all welcome.

I also created a subreddit to keep the conversation in one place:

r/apexcomics - https://www.reddit.com/r/apexcomics/

Roadmap ideas, feature requests, show-and-tell of your setup - that's the home for it.

Try it

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.uppr.apexcomics

There's a fuller breakdown with screenshots, feature details, and pricing on the site: https://apex-comics.uppr.be/

If you test it, I'd love to hear:

• Does your library scan and organize the way you expect?
• How does the reader feel compared to what you use today?
• What's the one thing your current reader still doesn't do right?

Thanks for reading. Happy to answer anything in the comments.