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I realize that it seems like I'm writing about comic prices every few months, but with DC's decision to enter the field of $3.99 for the price of their "regular" comics I think it's worth visiting the topic once again. The main reason for this is that I find myself wondering, "What's next?" However, when I say that I don't mean it in reference to the comic companies, I mean it in reference to me.
After my little "concerned" phase at the end of last year I found that need to be more critical of what I buy in relation to titles. I'm done with Teen Titans as my attempt to stay connected to the title has proven fruitless. Felicia D. Henderson's writing is simply horrible. It is disjointed and the dialogue waivers between pointless and painful. While I do enjoy Jose Luis' artwork, artwork alone is not enough to keep me on a title. Artwork can enhance or hurt writing a bit, but if the writing is solid the writing is solid. I will admit I am sad about giving up on Teen Titans as I've been on this run since the start and Blue Beetle is one of my favorite characters, but even I have my limits. So, I'm still working on acting on my new critical mindset as I should have quit this title months ago, but I realize now that I don't have the same kind of illusions I once did.
Another aspect that rests on me is how I get my comics. Monthly versus trades is a difficult thing. I like reading new issues every month, but I also like saving money by buying a trade. Plus, if you go online or are a member of certain retailers you can save even more money buying trades. Still, while saving money is nice I will say that reading monthly wins out for me. The reality though is that prices will keep climbing over time.
I usually find myself at a difficult point at this time when it comes to looking at the cost of comic. "Option 1" is to cut back on titles and "Option 2" is just taking it on the chin (or wallet to be more accurate). These have always been my two options. Well, it's time for me to start thinking outside MY box. It's time to start considering something that was simply not an option for me before. That option? Digital comics.
In my "everyday life" I'm the tech-head where I work. No, I'm not someone who works with it specifically, I'm just the most tech-savvy person in my work group. Because of that I've been answering lots of questions lately about HD TVs, networking computers at home, and smart phones. I don't have a smart phone myself yet as I know I'll have too much fun with one, but I plan on getting one this summer. With that being the case the opportunity of having an app that lets me read digital comics is much more of a consideration. It's still not one I'm big on though.
While I will say that I like the tactile sensation of reading a comic I know I would get over not "touching" my comics. What I'm not too fond of though is reading a comic in one place and on a screen. A smart phone may be fun, but I don't really see myself enjoying a comic on it. A laptop? Again, the idea isn't that appealing. I don't even like watching videos on my laptop unless I'm in an airport or I need a brain break on a trip and it's the only DVD play I have access to. What it comes down to is necessity in those cases. A tablet computer such as an iPad just might be the thing though. However, I'm not going to buy a tablet computer just to read comics though. Still it would seem the time has come when investigating doing such a thing makes sense.
As time goes on comics will become more expensive. It's unavoidable. My personal history says not to get too attached to a store because they will either close or be run poorly. I don't mind buying them online much, but I'm always a week behind. Downloading an issue would be faster. And, as comics are now largely created/finished in a digital medium I might even get a more "pure" copy in that format. At least I won't get the errors that sometimes come during the process of actual printing. I could also go into the whole idea of "saving trees" and such but I think that's a given. I also know my back would much happier not moving around comic boxes.
There is a part of me that wonders though what will happen to the "comic shop" as things move towards digital comics. What will happen to the industry when they have to start dealing with issues of money loss due to piracy and/or sharing digital comics? I know those subjects have already come up and are being discussed. But, as we move away from printed comics because of industry's choice or personal choice the impacts will be felt by al involved in the hobby of collecting comics.
I rarely sell an issue of anything. I can't remember the last time I did. I also can't remember the last time I went back to read something truly "old". Perhaps the industry will have a bit of split, those who do digital for reading that those who purchase hard copies for collecting/selling. That could work, and even if I were to go all digital some day because the opportunity was there I know I would still purchase printed artwork from covers and panels of favorite titles. The reason? Simple. I still want to be able to see the artwork that brings the stories to life, even when the power is off.
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