Kingstone Media, a Central Florida-based company that publishes faith-based comics and graphic novels, has began offering its entire catalog on the leading comic app—Comics by comiXology—for iPad/iPhone devices.

"ComiXology is the de facto leader in delivering comics and graphic novels worldwide," Kingstone CEO Art Ayris said. "We like putting Christ and the Scriptures in the mainstream of the comic conversation."

David Steinberger, CEO of comiXology, added: "Providing the broadest range of comic and graphic novel content has always been our mission at comiXology. We're thrilled to add Kingstone media to the mix."

Kingstone recently released Eternity, the first graphic novel by New York Times best-selling author Randy Alcorn. Featuring illustrations by veteran comic artist Javier Saltares, Eternity is set in first-century Jerusalem, telling Jesus' story of the rich man and Lazarus, while depicting "two shockingly different spiritual dimensions," Alcorn said.

Besides Eternity, Kingstone's 25 comic books and 12 graphic novels are available on the comiXology platform. In 2014, comiXology will also feature Kingstone's 12-volume Kingstone Bible project, the most complete graphic adaptation of the Bible ever done. Additionally, Kingstone recently signed on with iVerse Media, the leading provider of digital material to libraries nationwide.

Comics/graphic novel sales have topped $500 million in the U.S. and $5 billion in Japan, Kingstone officials said. The primary market for comics/graphic novels is boys ages 9 to 14, while Ayris noted that a second significant percentage of Kingstone readers are males ages 30 to 45.

Learning and education expert Mary Manz Simon said comics and graphic novels go places that traditional Bible or Sunday school lesson might not reach.

"The sales lift of graphic novels and comics is not surprising because these formats are visually arresting and shout 'fun,'" she said. "We live in a visual society. Readers who are accustomed to look at images will be compelled to look at vividly colored graphic novels like Eternity."

Visit www.kingstonemedia.com for more information.

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