It has been since version 1.2 that I posted a long list of comments comparing FunnyPages to the discontinued Comictastic.

While the app is stable (Lil' Abner still won't download but does not crash) the only change I see in the GUI is that now when I resize the overall window and quit - it remembers the size on relaunch.

I'm still using CT as the FP developer has not added vital improvements like auto-downloading of favorites, grouping of comics (such as Sunday Only) and individual magnification levels.

I'm glad this app is still here and hope for future GUI changes to make it a possible CT replacement.

Please let a future version incorporate some/all of these suggestions.

I've tried this app since 0.9 and paid the very reasonable cost when it went live. Right now I'm confused on how to update from 1.0.10 to the newest I see on the App Store 1.3 or the 1.4 mentioned on the blog. No "Check for Update" in the app. That said let me post my comments.

I am a long time user of the now discontinued "Comictastic". Wow - that still works and is still much more useable that FP 1.0 because:

1 - CT will download ALL my comics in one swoop - takes a few minutes but when I am ready to look at them they are there for instant display. FP - downloads them as I click on them meaning I have to wait 10 seconds or so for each new comic! ugh.

2 - CT allows each comic to have its own ZOOM - some are best viewed at 100%, some at 150%. FP sets the size of each comic to match the size of the window - no user control. This means some comics are so big they get fuzzy / pixilated. Or some are too small to read if I keep the window size small.

3 - CT allows for downloading archive - provide a start date and it will collect them in one swoop. In FS I have to click the calendar date, then click the comic. Repeat for however many dates back I want. Really primitive.

4 - CT allows me to enter my own comic urls and will scrape the web page to find the images and let me select which one it the comic. Then the needed info gets saved for future comic downloads. I see nothing in FS 1.0.10 that allows adding support for comics of my choice.

5 - CT allows me to GROUP comics. The best example is comics that are only Sunday. This makes it so I don't have to click on a Sunday comic during the weekdays as it is in its own separate group in the comic listing.

6 - Navigation of the comics: CT allows me to use the Up/Down arrow keys to display the previous/next comic. In FS those keys do MOVE the selection to the p/n comic BUT does not display until I click it. Aaaarrggg.

7 - last thing I'll mention relates back to #1. CT can be automated with a simple AppleScript to launch each morning, collect my comics and quit. This is great if I am on travel and away for my Mac for a few days - all my funnies will be waiting when I get home. Sure, a more complex script or automator would allow FS to do this but if on launch it would download all the comics it would be much easier.

I don't know what 1.1, 1.3 or 1.4 have for enhancements. I'v4 emailed the developer how to update but not yet heard. I do hope development continues.

There have been a few apps like this, and most end up getting pulled because they do not have the rights to the comics they are collecting. I see nothing regarding licensing in the description. As much as I like the idea, I can't justify paying for this app unless it is established the developer has the rights to redistribute the included comics. Otherwise, it seems it would be only a matter of time until it would be blocked.