The Outhouse - The Greatest Comic Book Forum

by **Victorian Squid** » Thu May 17, 2012 2:59 pm

GHERU wrote:I read it every once is a while - usually after some one asks how the industry can keep readers if they continue to price them out of the hobby - and a quick google search found some recent (3 years) articles / blogs on the subject

but, you are right, I probably should have done more research into the paper argument portion of this - I just remember the reason as something that always stuck in my craw

No criticism here, I was just honestly wondering if the execs at Marvel & DC were still trying to make the "paper" argument these days or not--definitely the idea sticks, perhaps in part because it makes a sort of intuitive sense even if other murkier factors are coming into play as well. I also see readers positing paper as an increased cost, and there was a dramatic increase in the price of it a number of years ago (5ish? I'd have to check as well). But if corporate execs were still using that as the main reason the cost of comics has gone up so much more than other similar commodities, I'd feel it was disingenuous. And that would be underscored by the price of new digital comics today, which, like you say, should be costing less in physical materials to produce if paper were the main culprit.

by **GHERU** » Thu May 17, 2012 7:21 pm

McDarkseid wrote:
No criticism here, I was just honestly wondering if the execs at Marvel & DC were still trying to make the "paper" argument these days or not--definitely the idea sticks, perhaps in part because it makes a sort of intuitive sense even if other murkier factors are coming into play as well. I also see readers positing paper as an increased cost, and there was a dramatic increase in the price of it a number of years ago (5ish? I'd have to check as well). But if corporate execs were still using that as the main reason the cost of comics has gone up so much more than other similar commodities, I'd feel it was disingenuous. And that would be underscored by the price of new digital comics today, which, like you say, should be costing less in physical materials to produce if paper were the main culprit.

Its all good, I didn't take it as criticism, but a valid point

by **Victorian Squid** » Thu May 17, 2012 7:52 pm

GHERU wrote:Its all good, I didn't take it as criticism, but a valid point

Cool.

Imagine how much they would be making if they were still selling 180 million comics a year at today's prices! :shock:

I have to imagine because I don't want to do the actual math at the moment.

by **The Shadow** » Fri May 18, 2012 9:58 pm

Good article.

I don;t like, want and will not purchase digital comics for a myriad of reasons... many mentioned and others like enjoying the book and, in the case of back issues, the hunt.

by **Arion** » Sat May 19, 2012 12:08 am

GHERU, that is an intelligent analysis of the nature of digital comics. I'll send to link to a few of my friends, more people should read about this.

Good job!

by **holtom2000** » Sat May 19, 2012 1:07 am

I'm definitely into download camp. But mostly trades for the big stories. Comics cost too much. Period.

by **SuperginraiX** » Sat May 19, 2012 4:14 am

RU!

Very good article and a lot of stuff I agree with. Three and four dollars for the right to digitally read a comic is ridiculous and I can't believe any comic company thinks that's a good idea.

But I'm totally a digital comic reading convert. I just judiciously wait for the sales. I'm hoping against hope that showing these people what price I'm willing to pay will make that price the normal one.

It would also be nice to have the digital copy available on my computer instead of just through an online viewer. If I can buy MP3 songs online and transfer them around on my devices, I should be able to do the same with my comics.

by **365Dom** » Sat May 26, 2012 2:53 am

Wow. I couldn't disagree more. Rather than write a long comment I will simply write a follow up post. I will say though, I understand the inherent need to hold something you own. It's a lot cooler to hold a briefcase of money rather than a credit card. Unfortunately, I just don't think it's very practicle in today's world.

by **Jubilee** » Sat May 26, 2012 4:25 am

I think Marvels online comics database is amazing. Sure it's about 1 year behind current comics, but it's so awesome.

I'm going to wait till next winter and get 2 months subscription and blast through a years worth of stories.

by **Victorian Squid** » Sat May 26, 2012 9:19 am

I thought it was pretty obvious that one of RU's issues with digital comics as they are marketed today had nothing whatsoever to do with "holding what you own", as someone said, but rather the problem of not "owning what you own"?

And anyone who would trade a suitcase full of cash for a credit card is not smart. :lol:

by **GHERU** » Sat May 26, 2012 9:44 am

365Dom wrote:Wow. I couldn't disagree more. Rather than write a long comment I will simply write a follow up post. I will say though, I understand the inherent need to hold something you own. It's a lot cooler to hold a briefcase of money rather than a credit card. Unfortunately, I just don't think it's very practicle in today's world.

by **Victorian Squid** » Sat May 26, 2012 9:57 am

GHERU wrote:

You ain't thinkin' practicle is all.

by **GHERU** » Sat May 26, 2012 5:57 pm

McDarkseid wrote:
You ain't thinkin' practicle is all.

but he responded to something that wasn't there...

never mind, I forgot that this was the internet

by **David Bird** » Sat May 26, 2012 11:10 pm

I've just signed up with Comixology in order to read a digital only comic. I did "download" a free one to check things up, but that's it so far. I have noticed, however, that DC has made some comics available there that have never been collected into trade, so that's a possible future purchase.

As for cost, frankly, I don't think comics cost that much. The way I usually put it, back in the 30s comics cost a dime and so did a cup of coffee. Now they cost 3 or 4 bucks, but so does a coffee flavoured drink at Starbucks.

Of course, I don't actually buy that many comics, compared to some of you. My pull list has only about 15 or 16 titles on it, and most aren't monthlies. Unless I buy a trade, my weekly bill rarely tops $20 and often its less than $10. (Again, that's not including trades.) My pull list is actually on the upswing as I am beginning to move away from the wait-for-trade mentality. I like comics.

I wish I could find the link, but I read not long ago that the vast majority of comics shops in the US were found in only four states, leaving the rest of the country severely under served. Digital is answering that need more so than replacing the LCS.