Try Image trades, current series are typically 10 $ for a 6 issue TPB, which shakes out at 2 dollars an issue. Series, imo, have really stepped up in quality since the early days of image and outdoes alot of the mainstream competition. Would recommend Saga or Morning Glories for Image series first and foremost
Its about to push me there. Last week I cancelled every subscription to Marvel I had and as soon as Godhead ends at DC I'll be closing out my box at the local comic shop. Even though I think the overall writing of comics in the Big two has improved greatly over what it was ten years ago I don't find the value worth the cost.
So as soon as the subscriptions actually stop (sometime early next year) I'm moving to Marvel Unlimited digital. Sure I'll be six months behind but its a lot cheaper. DC will just get dumped altogether for me and any 3rd party stuff will be trade waits.
If you go digital (which you should) and wait a week or two, you can get recent releases for about $1.99. And...many publishers are now giving DRM-free PDF and CBZ files. It's the way to go...from a die-hard, thought-I'd-never-do-it fan of paper comics. There is NOTHING better than zooming a comic panel on an iPad mini.
Overall, N American comic readership has been on an incline over the past half decade. However, regular readership is still in the hundred thousands, which is a significant dropoff compared to the early '90s. However, the speculator bubble no longer dictates the market and there's no longer the widespread fraud that accompanied the newstand market. So, those are the numbers that we have now.
Also, and perhaps most importantly, superhero comic numbers have remained steady, but comics outside that genre have a much better base these days. The top comics are still mostly periennial superhero franchises, but the top twenty has more variety than ever before, something that is even more pronounced when you factor in collected editions. The market is growing, but not necessarily in favor of the Big Two.
Also, when you get into European comics and manga, you're talking readerships in the millions. Marvel's best book might sell 250,000, but Disney's best book (often reprints) sells millions in Europe.
I agree that the price of comics is a little high.
This is ridiculous for digital comics.
No wonder piracy rate is so high these days.
Comics have never gone above $1 as far as I'm concerned. Between digital and physical sales, everything I've ever wanted is a buck within a year of release.
A good chunk of Image books are still $2.99 or $3.50. This is one of many reasons why they make up the lion's share of my monthly pull. At the moment, the only Marvel books I get are Daredevil, Ms. Marvel, Magneto, Amazing Spidey, Punisher, She-Hulk, Rocket Raccoon and Moon Knight. Two of those are coming to an end within the next several months.
5 years isn't much for noting trends. We'll see as we go, but I keep seeing industry people referencing falling numbers.
Thankfully. If it weren't for a niece who is into superheroes, I'd have given up on them. Nothing new there in decades.
Which is probably good on the whole. They don't seem to be into doing much but retooling what they've already done.
Sometimes I legitimately wonder if "readers" have ever heard of comics being published outside of Marvel.
If Marvel comics are too rich for your blood, support comics from other publishers. Simple as.