To buy or not to buy Manga Studio?

When I first heard about manga studio I’d just gotten Adobe Photoshop and already had my presets and comic templates sorted out, so before I’d spend money on an even more specialized program (less options than) I researched the heck out of it.

Search: About 12,500,000 results (0.31 seconds)

Tells me that it’s very popular (and gets ripped a lot but that alone didn’t tell me anything useful.

So here are a few video demonstrations that helped to make up my mind:

Dave Gibbons gives a thorough demonstration

Marc Cranie (Mal & Chad webcomic) on CAG* podcast
(The whole video-interview is good to hear but if you’re impatient skip to 14:04)


But there’s two versions! Which is best for me?

A Debut vs. EX comparison chart

If you want to…
-Work with vectors
-Use time saving perspective guides
-Use photoshop-esque filters (blur, computones, patterns see the comparison list)

…Manga Studio EX is the version to buy.

Coloring is possible in manga studio but not as developed as with Photoshop.

hen to buy?
SmithMicro holds regular fire sales, so keep an eye on twitter or have a google alert activated for the keywords.

“Any given program when running becomes obsolete”
I’ve heard there might be an new version due in 2012
It’s supposedly alluded to in the Tyson Alexander demonstration.

Anything else?
If you are already thinking about getting a wacom tablet bamboo you may want to consider the combination package (debut)


I hope this is post somewhat helpful in starting your own investigation if Manga Studio is the program for you.


*comics are great :)