The Comic Book Industry - Collected vs Single Issues

[Black Iron Tarkus]

Antony - What do you think of Humanoids' growing success in the English-language market? Obviously they're mainly going for a niche, high-end approach with limited print runs, but their business model now seems entirely based around releasing translated BDs as if they were OGNs, rather than reformatting the work for single issues (like they tried 10-15 years ago). Not sure how sustainable it is though, due to their niche appeal and the fact they're rapidly churning out collections of works that took years to be produced!

As far as my buying habits go, I get around 20-25 singles per month (mostly Image/Dark Horse), as I like to support my LCS. Also, the shop is very DC dominated, so I like to try and encourage him to order more indie/creator-owned stuff.

Most of my collected editions are bought online, as I can't rationally refuse 40-50% discounts on £50-100 books! If my LCS has something I want in stock, I'll buy it there, but I can't justify ordering books in.

[Diamond]

Technically accurate, but you've mis-emphasised it. I was actually responding to someone asking "is it OK if I tradewait", and I said I really don't mind, but whichever format you choose to buy, please do so from your LCS if possible, because it's the best and most direct way to support both creators and the industry as a whole. And note that pre-ordering is still very, very important, even if you tradewait.

But... how many LCS are in the USA? I've always thought that the US comics indusry should work toward different and equally profitable distribution channels. I mean, online shops are much more accesible for new readers than a LCS.

[antony]

Antony - What do you think of Humanoids' growing success in the English-language market?

I think it's great -- anything that expands the market and caters to mainstream genres is commendable, and if their model is working for them, that's brilliant. But as you say, they're (currently) a very specialist niche, with an audience willing to buy in a premium format.

[antony]

But... how many LCS are in the USA? I've always thought that the US comics indusry should work toward different and equally profitable distribution channels. I mean, online shops are much more accesible for new readers than a LCS.

Which is why I said "if possible." We know lots of people don't live anywhere near an LCS, and of course for them online shopping is easier and preferable. Don't get me wrong, if the choice is between buying from Amazon or simply not buying at all, then of course it's better to buy from Amazon. But if you're fortunate enough to have a comic store near you, and you want it to still be there in 5-10 years time, then you need to support it. It's that simple.

[Prince Disarming]

Maybe American publishers can take some cues from Japan. It would be interesting to see an American publishing company put out a magazine type anthology with a bunch of different stories from a bunch of different creators published very cheaply and then later collect the successful stories into more long lasting volumes. Of course American comics are traditionally published using color while manga isn't so that might not be as feasible.

[canadianaidan64]

Marvel tried that a while ago with an Ultimate Spiderman anthology and it didn't work. Floppy buyers are too attached to their 22 page stapled pulps. Also, manga magazines are printed on really cheap paper and are considered disposable. That mentality would never fly in the North American collectors market so like you say, they would need to be printed in colour and on better paper and that would drive the prices up dramatically to the point where they would be competing with the trades, not the floppies.

[Prince Disarming]

Those are some solid points. However, magazines are printed in color on decent paper and could last quite a while if taken care of properly, and they cost $5.00 on average. I'm sure part of the reason they are cheap is because of ad revenue and larger print runs, but it seems like it could be possible to make an anthology type publication that was cheaper than trades, but not as disposable as manga magazines. Now, whether the current fan base would accept these is a different story.

[ohmshalone]

A few main Marvel/DC issues in a super-cheap, disposable, monthly magazine form? I wouldn't think twice before buying it.

[manatree]

I've only recently picked up the comic bug again. As a kid, I was more into the war, crime & westerns than the superhero genre. I'm still not much of a superhero fan, and fortunately companies like Image, Dark Horse, Boom, etc. are putting out a lot of stories that I find appealing.

In general, I like buying individual issues. I enjoy the ritual of going to the store, browsing and picking up the latest issue. I also enjoy chatting with the shop folks about different titles. I used to be that way with regular magazines as well, but the savings of a subscription eventually won out for magazines.

Another reason that I like individual issues is because of the letters portion where he author answers and discuses things with the readers. Sometimes there are additional essays, etc. At least in several of the titles that I follow, these items do not seem to end up in the trade paperbacks.

However, there are two titles that I am going the bound route, Mind MGMT & Peter Panzerfaust. I started too late and it would take some time to collect the back issues in order to read the story in a linear fashion. Also, the early Peter Panzerfausts are quite pricey at the moment. On the flip side, I am slowly rebuilding my collection of the original Unknown Soldier series issue by issue because the collected volumes are not in color. Since I'm focusing on reading copies only, rather than condition, it's not too bad on my wallet so far.

One thing that I've noticed since I've gotten back in is the absurd number of alternate covers on the single issues and bonus features that are limited to the bound collections. I see that as a sneaky way to try and suck us in to buying both the single issues and the bound editions.

On the other hand, I think the one dollar first issue series that Image, and perhaps others do is a brilliant idea.

As for story arcs, I think that I actually prefer them. I was a big fan of the Unknown Soldier series growing up in the 70 & 80s. However, I often felt that having an entirely new story each issue, they eventually started running out of stories, relying on gimmicky crossovers and repeated variations of themes. Much like the standard sit com or cop show. One of my favorite TV shows of all time was Homicide: Life on the Streets, where not every case was wrapped up in one episode. I like it when they take an idea and flesh it our over a several issue story arc, or even if they limit the entire series to a short, several issue run.

My local shop doesn't carry many back issues, and what they do carry are the more popular Marvel & DC stories. So when it comes to back issues I'm stuck with shopping online, and shipping can add up fairly quickly unless you can score a bunch from one source.

One last thought on this ramble. Another way to support your local comic shop is to pay cash, that way they don't have to pay the service fee on credit or debit cards.

[Groo Odyssey]

However, there are two titles that I am going the bound route, Mind MGMT & Peter Panzerfaust. I started too late and it would take some time to collect the back issues in order to read the story in a linear fashion. Also, the early Peter Panzerfausts are quite pricey at the moment. On the flip side, I am slowly rebuilding my collection of the original Unknown Soldier series issue by issue because the collected volumes are not in color. Since I'm focusing on reading copies only, rather than condition, it's not too bad on my wallet so far.

These are excellent choices. Highly recommended.

[Mace Dolex]

I've stopped buying monthlies entirely and wait for the collected edition and that's only if I hear any good things about it, the $3.99 price tag isn't worth for 22 pages of splash pages.

[fumetti]

I wanted to start a dedicated thread about how single issues and collected editions are changing within the industry. (Discussions in the 'general' thread are hard to follow and continue IMO).

Have collected editions affected your reading of single issues? I've reduced my reading of single issues to only event books. For everything else, either I can wait for the collected edition or download a single issue that's getting good reviews. In fact, the upcoming Multiversity may be the first event book that I don't even read in single issue format, since I'm pretty sure I'll be able to wait (and appreciate it more in complete form).

I thought about this after hearing a rant on Comic Geek Speak (I'm not a member, so I'm not trying to plug it). A comic book shop-owner was talking about his frustration towards the industry's inflated single-issue prices, and how he doesn't think there's going to be much more room in his store for new single-issues in the future due to the decrease in purchases.

Because of better value for money and profit margins, could the collected edition usher in a new era for comic books in print form, wherein we could see comic books slowly make their way back to more mainstream outlets like supermarkets, or slowly take up bigger displays at bookstores? Your thoughts.

1) I only buy single issues of titles/characters/creators that I officially collect. I look at it like this...if I skipped this issue, what's the chance I buy it as a back issue because it's part of my Buck Rogers collection? Since that answer's going to be yes, I buy them as they come out.

2) I never, repeat never, pick up a single issue on a lark anymore. I used to do it every week--but that was back when you got a story in that issue. No way I'm picking up part 4 of a 6 part series just for funsies; total waste of time and money.

3) I buy newer stuff as trades (a) only after I've heard that the run is worth having and (b) when it's a title I don't "collect." I don't even consider buying it as single issues.

4) I avoid trades that are connected to big universe-wide storylines. No matter how much someone tells me Age of Ultron is great, I'm not jumping in and buying any trades from it. Too massive, to expensive.

5) I don't buy those omnibuses (omnibi?). Too big, too expensive. And I don't trust binding on that many pages.

6) I will never pay for digital-only. Not a chance. Not new, not old. (I've bought print-and-digital issues before from TwoMorrows. But for a digital that is my only copy? Never. Not paying the price of print only to get just a digital version.)


Another way collections have changed my buying habits is when old comics get reprinted with new coloring. I'll buy that all day long. Even if I have the originals.

Or if the reprint is in black and white. I can't get enough of Essentials and Showcases. I'd rather read those old comics in b&w (doing it now with Ghost Rider; I'm buying the back issues while I'm reading them in the Essentials).

[fumetti]

I've stopped buying monthlies entirely and wait for the collected edition and that's only if I hear any good things about it, the $3.99 price tag isn't worth for 22 pages of splash pages.

The rising price tag is another reason I don't pick up random books off the shelf.

Marvel and DC are pricing the industry away from anyone who might be curious about comics. Once they see the price tag, it's no-deal.

[ultimate jezebel]

I like to own original comics as I'm a collector as well as reader. But collected editions are also useful. I've bought Punisher MAX HCs when I got exceptionally good deals on them (like $5-10 each in brand new, still sealed condition). Even though I own all the comics. Glossy reprinted pages can be nice to look at. So in that respect, I do enjoy a Spidey omnibus too. But the collector side of me still wants the original comics.

[Iron Fist]

I only ever buy omnibuses or trades.

I'd never buy singles because they can't really be displayed, they don't last and organising them requires much more space than trades.

I'm surprised they even still make singles to be honest.