Should I Continue Collecting Single Issue Comics
08-02-2014,11:35 AM #1
Spectacular Member
The Comic Book Industry - Collected vs Single Issues
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.
An unabashed DC Fanboy (who gives Marvel credit where credit is due).
08-02-2014,12:55 PM #2
Rad to the Max
I follow a small selection of series in Single Issue format, but I am always ready to drop them when they stop entertaining me or never get to the point. I dislike the majority of single issues because I feel like a story is rarely ever told in an issue anymore. And why not wait to have a beginning, middle and end? Also, what if the whole run/story/whatever ends up being lackluster? then there's the cost. I just got Cyberforce Rebirth Volume 1 for 10 bucks. Had I gotten it in singles at 2.99 or 3.99, it would have been more expensive.I think waiting for word/views on a run as well as waiting for a complete story AND saving money are all valid purchasing choices.
I also prefer to read most things in OHC format, which is the only format I am willing to pay premium prices for.
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08-02-2014,01:24 PM #4
Mighty Member
I really believe that the high cost of single issues is really hurting the industry in the long run. Right now I only pick up single issues of titles that I absolutely love and don't have much patience in riding it out if I don't enjoy it. I trimmed the fat on my monthly pull list consistently to make way for new titles that I find interesting in previews. This wouldn't have happen in the past when I first started collecting as I would just buy any title I find moderately interesting. If something doesn't wow me nowadays, I'll just wait for a collected edition.Interesting what you posted about the talk you had with a comic shop owner's frustration with the industry's inflated single issue prices and how it hurts his store. I believe it because if people are not trying out new titles, then pretty soon they'll just be buying collected editions and might even stop going to the comic shop entirely. We're kinda seeing that already.
We have a lot of mom and pop's book stores in my area closing up shop due to online retailers like Amazon and giant chain bookstores like Chapters here in Canada. I loved going to bookstores as a kid and I could never imagine one day that bookstores will disappear. I'm starting to see that right now.
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08-02-2014,10:32 PM #11
Mighty Member
Can you post the link for which episode it was for comic geek speak where the comic shop owner was ranting about the high prices? This is a really interesting topic and I would like to hear a shop owner's point of view on this.
Originally Posted by ohmshalone
I don't think the internet will ever entirely erase a chain store. Maybe downsize them, but not erase completely. Even if bookstores are more expensive than Amazon, there's always the benefit of walking out with what you just bought in your hands. In America, maybe that's not such an issue since Americans only have to wait a day or two for an online purchase, but for us international folks, we have to wait 2-3 weeks for our parcels. Sometimes I lose interest in what I've bought before it even reaches my mailbox! lol.
I wonder if we'll be seeing more original graphic novels in the coming months. I don't know how that last Avengers one turned out reception-wise. Still, I don't say that because I want to see the end of single issues.
I think large chain book stores will still exist but comic shops in particular is such a niche that they will be hurt first. I'm surprised more people from the industry don't speak up more often about it. I think the inflated prices of single issues IS a really big deal. If someone only has a budget for so many books they can buy each month, it will deter them from trying out new series. I understand why someone would choose to trade wait (especially for those that don't live near a comic shop) but if enough of the rest are not supporting the creators and sales of the monthlies are paltry, we'll just see titles cancelled. That second volume that you're waiting for may never come out because that title was cancelled due to poor sales. I think the biggest issue that's hurting the industry is the prices of those monthlies.
Anne Bonnie, Princess Ugg, Five Ghosts, Saga, Rat Queens, Groo, Goon, Usagi Yojimbo, Sixth Gun, Wasteland, Courtney Crumrin, Jonah Hex, Walking Dead, Manifest Destiny, God Hates Astronauts, Spread, Fearless Dawn, Nailbiter, Copperhead, Stray Bullets, Birthright, Bone, Lazarus
08-02-2014,11:55 PM #13
Yahtzee!
My collection consists widely only of trades, and that's because I find it's just so much more convenient to pick up a trade that has issues #1-7 than hunting down each issue individually and paying $2.99-$3.99 each for them (assuming they haven't been inflated price-wise) when I can just pick up a trade for around $14.99 (most of the New 52 anyway, obviously longer stories cost more). Especially with older runs, this is much, much easier for me to just pick up the collected trade, and it also takes up less space on my shelf.I am still picking up single issues, but mostly for new #1s coming out or short-run series that are only a few issues in the long run, like Deadpool: Dracula's Gauntlet, which is only seven issues and comes out each week. The new #1s I'm trying out are mostly just to get a feel for the series if I think it looks interesting or I've heard good things about it. That way, when the trade comes out, I can look back to the #1 I have and think, "Did I like this enough to buy the trade?" I find singles are a nice way to kind of dip your foot into the pool and see how the water feels before committing to putting in more money. If I was kind of iffy on a #1, I'll pick up the second issue and give it another shot to see how I feel before making up my mind.
For the most part, I largely prefer trades and collected editions. If you want the most bang for your buck, it's usually the best option-- not to mention the collected editions and trades usually have extras in the back like scripts, concept art, etc. But there's an undeniable charm about going to your local comic shop and finding the "just in" shelf and perusing it with other readers, stopping every now and then to scoop up that new issue you want...
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Source: https://community.cbr.com/showthread.php?12652-The-Comic-Book-Industry-Collected-vs-Single-Issues
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