I am sitting here on Monday morning, it’s Labor Day here in the States, a holiday. I just had a little sandwich while reading The Punisher #2 and just thinking a bit before I head out of the house for a nice afternoon.
This holiday kind of marks the end of the summer, I suppose, and has me thinking a bit about transitions, about work, and about all the changes that are coming over the next few months. I usually do a Grab Bag article this time of the month (I will bring it back next week), but this is a bit different, more of a Thought Box, if one had to label it. Let’s just sit back and let the thoughts come, shall we?
Like many of us, I have been watching what DC has been doing over the past few months with equal parts fascination, curiosity and nervousness, witnessing the dismantling of their comic book line and ushering in their new 52. I was very much taken with Flashpoint #5, particularly the last scene with Bruce, which really took my breath away. I thought it was fitting that this was the emotional closure for the old DC, the old Detective Comics, that Bruce got what he always wanted, an affirmation, an embrace, from his father. There could have been so many ways to close the curtain, you know? I would have assumed it would have been a moment with Superman sacrificing himself or Superman and Batman dying, defending their universe…but no. The emotional closure was as simple as a warm embrace, whispered words of encouragement.
Of course, there were several final farewells throughout the past few weeks, and it has been very interesting to see which writers got a chance to turn out the lights on these epic titles. For some reason, I was really taken with the final words Batgirl #24, when Batgirl says, “It’s only the end if you want it to be,” after her final discussion with Barbara Gordon. I got this feeling that we were watching this Batgirl sacrifice herself for the greater (editorial?) good, that there was this acknowledgement, to the readers if not to herself, that this transition was not altogether fair – Stephanie was a great Batgirl, and her run of two years has been pretty great, indeed, that her story was really just getting going
It is now a few hours later, Monday evening, and I find myself thinking more and more about a few conversations I had throughout the day. I actually bumped into a guy who writes comics for Tokyo Pop and though he doesn’t really read mainstream comics, we had a good time trading thoughts on what this whole DC changeover might mean in the long run. I told him what happened to me last Wednesday when I saw the new issue of Justice League–well, the new issues of the book. I asked the guy at the store what the deal was with the polybagged issue and he just snarled, “look at the cover” — and I saw the “includes digital copy” text on the bag itself. I mean, for me, this is the real story about the changeover: the digital aspect to it, with the pricing going down a week after the printed comic’s release, all that stuff.
My thoughts are this: one, if you really want to go for it, DC, make the digital versions of each of the #1 issues either free or
$.99. Don’t do something 60% or 70%–do it 100% and just freakin’ go for it. You want new readers? Blanket the web with ads pointing readers to your digital storefront and give them the damn issues for free. I mean, why not? DC should have bought banner space on CNN and all the other news sites that were reporting on the changeover. Yes, expensive, but do you want to do it or not?
I find myself in this rather odd predicament. I don’t want to buy as many printed books as I do. I really don’t, they take up too much space and organizing them is a total pain the ass and I just feel like a sucker when I look at all the books in my closet that I will never read again. It would be one thing if I only bought 2-3 comics a week, but I don’t. The thing is, my comic book store gives me a pretty great discount when it comes to the printed books–most places give you at least a 20% discount if you have a pull list, which, you know, adds up. I get a 30% discount, which works to almost a buck off a $3 comic, which is basically the same as getting a digital version a month after the release. And since I am not able to get to the comic book store every week…
…well, it makes a bit of sense just to go full digital now, doesn’t it? For the DC books. However, I don’t want to piss of my shop owner, so I think I am going to get a few of them in book form and just go digital for everything else. Okay, so I guess I figured out my predicament–but I am curious: what are you guys gonna do? I think I will fluctuate week to week, just naturally, but this whole fear of pissing off my store owner…that’s not healthy. I should just do what I want.
Taking a deep breath, I glance over at my stack and look at the many Marvel books that sit there, unread. I keep getting confused and picking up Secret Avengers as opposed to New Avengers. I keep doing it. I don’t know what my problem is, but I am trying to drop the damn book and I keep buying it by accident. It’s pissing me off.
Not related at all, but for the first time since I started buying comics again (over ten years), I am not buying any Spider-Man books. I think the “Spider Island” story line was really proof that I am willing to just put my foot down and stop buying books, completely denying my whole need to have a “complete” collection of a certain title. But this time, like, I am totally judging this thing by instinct–“Spider Island” could very well be good, and even if it is good — which I doubt — I am simply not buying it. Leave a note in the comments section and let me know what you think about it, but the teaser ads, especially the last one with a Spider-ized version of J. Jonah Jameson just make me wince. I am telling you–I learned from Amazons Attack!
I won’t get into Fear Itself. There is no reason to.
I think about what I am enjoying with the Marvel books and I realize that, as much as I enjoy some of the characters, I am seeing too much of the same thing with their superhero lineups and just feel no compulsion to buy into the same thing, month after month. I will still read a few titles (I am enjoying: Moon Knight, Punisher MAX, Wolverine, Uncanny X-Force and back into Captain America entirely because of the Bucky stuff that is going on), but I almost feel like Marvel is just phoning it in and letting DC drive the conversation for the last few months.
Utterly unrelated, do you think we’ll actually see the new DC Universe make its way to all of the licensed properties stuff? Like, will they actually change the bedsheets and the lunchboxes and the wall decals to show the new heroes in their new costumes? I kinda doubt it, but wouldn’t that be rad, if they just said, “Nope–that Superman is no more, you have to use this version.”
Did anyone catch the last issue of Batman Incorporated, with the 3D computer graphic art? I was both horrified and intrigued by the issue, I will admit. I hated it, but I couldn’t help admire it at the same time. At first I completely dismissed the issue as a gimmick, but I liked the fact that it challenged me as a reader. No, I didn’t like it, but it was different, it was something new, and oftentimes, that’s what so great about comics, you know? They can be different, they can be new, and sometimes it works, other times it fails – and you learn so much from failure.
Did you hear that WonderCon is going to be in Anaheim next year? WonderCon is a very strange beast of a show, for me and my friends. In terms of a comic book convention, there’s not a lot of “there” there: the showroom tends to be kinda small, the sessions kind of ho-hum, but all that is really beside the point! WonderCon is all about about time outside of the convention with the now legendary Isotope parties, not to mention the world-famous Tiki Bar tour. You could have a fantastic convention weekend and never set foot in Moscone Center. I mean, okay–if there’s an iFanboy meetup in Disneyland, I am there, but, honestly, I think the “Wonder” will be less “fantastic” and more, “I wonder if there will be one after this?”
Well…that’s it, folks. The rest of my thoughts are more in the realm of “what’s for dinner” as opposed to “let’s talk about that awesome Rocketeer hardcover trade.” Really looking forward to this first full week of the DC changeover and will be very interested to see what you all think about it, so write some reviews!
Mike Romo is an actor in LA who really hope he’s gonna read that Walt Simonson Thor Omnibus soon. Email/Facebook/Twitter.
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– The Batgirl #24 ending was great. Steph will be back, but as Spoiler. I am a little disappointed in this.
– Digital versions drop $1 one *month* after release.
– I think DC will change the look of their licensed properties. You can see it already on converse shoes.
– Is it Wednesday yet? Very excited about this week’s batch of new DC titles. Action, Animal Man, Batwing, & JLI!
im a relatively new comic book enthusiast (started buyin comics during the sinestro corps war run) and since im not in the states (im in the middle east),ive been buying trades.when the new 52 was first announced,i thought its time to start collecting issues but i thought digital copies would be better for my situation.my only problem with the digital copies is that comixology dont allow you to read it outside their app.that frustrates me because i admit,before ifanboy and CGS made me care about comics again,i was reading comics via downloaded scanned issues.since the digital copies are sold at 2.99 or 1.99,they should be more flexible in letting the “owners” of the comic on how they read their books.my ipad sometimes feel small so i sometimes have the urge to read on my 24″ monitor.anyway,just a thought though.i hope they do something about it because digital is the future.
Good news! Anything you buy on Comixology seems to be attached to your user account, not a particular device. Log in at comics.comixology.com and everything you’ve purchased from the iPad app should show up (it’s working for me!)
i meant readin it in my computer without being online
thanks,ken.but they should allow me to read previously purchased and downloaded copies without the need to log in to their website.make no mistake,im happy with the ipad app with comixology’s guided view technology but to really appreciate the art,especially two page spreads,a big screen works better.ah,well.im sure its something only a few people only complain about.
i agree with your arguments for DC not fully committing to Digital.
We live at a time in which more media is being produced than ever before, the old modes of consumption simply don’t work.
these are just some of the reasons why it’s outdated:
1: comics/dvds/books are too expensive per item (an average consumer can’t financially keep up with the amount of content being produced)
2: we no longer need to own physical things to enjoy them
3: we move around so much more (as someone who travels a lot, it just doesn’t make sense for me to weigh myself down with so many physical issues when i could just have them digitally)
i wish DC and Marvel would realize that there is room for both print and digital. I envision a world in which you subscribe monthly to a publisher, and for a set fee you can read as much as you want digitally. And I see a world in which, when you find a title you really enjoy, you hoof it down to your comic store and pick up a beautifully printed trade or hardcover or oversize edition (in the style of dapper men, Absolute Super man etc.).
Increase the quality of your print offerings, grow your readership by going cheap and digital for the weeklies. am i being that unrealistic?
Yeah, I don’t see physical collected editions going away.
Generally speaking, it takes a while for publishers and consumers to adopt new methods of distribution and consumption. There is a certain degree of reluctance to discard the established standard because the alternative is revolutionary. e.g. digital media, elminating normal methods for distribution (printing and shipping).
In time both publishing houses and consumers will fully embrace the new paradigm. Unfortunately that will almost certainly have negative effects for your local comic book store.
I recently saw one of those New 52 TV spots run during a Sci Fi or AMC channel movie and i was shocked at how bad ass it looked and how it was being broadcast on TV during something cool. Great first step. I do agree that they needed more web advertising. Ad buys for internet are exponentially cheaper than TV.
The “fear of pissing off shop owners” is kind of the albatross that is holding progress back.I think thats why the DC price point is what it is instead of what it needs to be. I don’t like any of the LCS’ in my area
I’m like you Tom..i don’t want all these print books. i don’t have room for them, my wife wants them gone. I want them gone. I’m a reader, not a collector save for my HC and TPB shelf…. I want to be a 100% digital customer for monthlies. Maybe someday…
The “fear of pissing off shop owners” is kind of the albatross that is holding progress back.I think thats why the DC price point is what it is instead of what it needs to be.
Couldn’t have said it better!
While I think digital comics should be priced to move units and not keep retailers happy, at the very least, there’s no reason why classic comics should be running $1.99 as the standard “cheap” rate (except during a sale). I see too many comics from the 80s and 90s that both Marvel & DC are charging $1.99 for. Some of those comics didn’t even cost half that much when the paper copies were on sale.
I just broke up with my comic book guy after 14 years of doing business with him. I was angsty over it, but in the end, it just makes more sense for me to stop filling up space with paper copies that I won’t be reading again anytime soon, when there is a digital option available.
Digital comics do absolutely nothing for me. I’ve purchased digital comics. I’ve read them on a phone, tablet, and laptop. It doesn’t give me near the same experience as a print book. A digital book feels more like a scan than actual art. I’m not against them as an option but I’m thrilled that DC is considering their shop business.
I also don’t think that considering shop owners is “holding progress back”. Just because I don’t like or prefer scanning something and putting it on a digital screen to read doesn’t mean I’m anti-progression. It means I have a preference. And my preference is strong enough that if comics went fully digital or if my comic shops closed, I’d probably hang it up.
i’m not saying we should only have one or the other. Your comment brings up the most important point. different people have different preferences. The market should feed all those preferences rather than force readers into a fixed way of getting their comics.
I actually prefer reading a comic digitally. I like only seeing one page at a time, instead of the 2 page spread “spoiler” . Preference is great…. Neither of us is wrong or right.
By progress i meant giving consumers a fair choice. Pick whatever media form works for you and have it priced competitively. I applaud DC for doing day and date, but their pricing is not where it needs to be. Different product, different price point. I think A LOT of the blame over DC’s digital pricing is that its a concession to shop owners. Thats what i meant by holding progress back.
That’s very well said and I agree with you. But there is this budding perspective that if you aren’t onboard with digital comics you are either holding back progress, are old-fashioned (in the negative sense), or just lack any kind modernity. that’s simply not the case. I really appreciate that DC recognizes that print books are still the preference of many readers. Digital is new but it’s growing. Anyone can see that. And it offers a choice that is certainly needed to keep certain readers interested in this industry we love.
i don’t think that at all. I do think its foolish for print fans to not want digital…i mean more readers means you’re favorite runs will last longer and you’re favorite creators to stay employed.
I liken this whole deal to my coworker who’s the biggest music obsessive person i’ve ever met. He buys TONS of new Vinyl albums as well as MP3’s from the iTunes store. I think thats incredibly awesome that he has those options.
From a business perspective look at it from 40,000 feet. Disney and WB are deciding how to sell their IP based on the whims of a bunch of independent niche shops. Very bizarre.
Oh I get what you’re saying and the positives of new readership and more revenue make it easy for me to support the idea of digital comics. That being said, I do see a difference in comics and the music industry. Comics are much more of a visual medium than music. But that’s beside the point. I’m for the choice. But I’ve been rattled at the hostility of SOME towards those who either don’t care for the digital experience or are legitimately concerned at how digital may impact their ability to get print books.
Funny enough…I bought a tablet for the new DC digital books, and ended up buying a bunch of Marvel Comics digitally. The best books to buy digitally are ones that are limited runs (like mini series), so you don’t get stuck forever getting digital titles in case you want to go back to print one day. Also, I like when the first issue is free, so you can feel out the mini series and also so you have less books to buy.
As far as Wondercon… the best part is visiting San Fran! It’s much more fun to stumble around drunk in San Fran then in Anaheim. Plus, who wants to go to Disneyland? There’s no booze and their prices for one day are the price of Wondercon for the weekend.
Oh, and the Dustin Nguyen Tec #850 cover pic you used for the top left…that’s one of my favorite covers in the past 10 years.
“You’re awesome. Last thing I’m gonna say.” – Kung Fu Panda
I have been enjoying the story of Sider-Island so far. it’s had some fun moments and some cool action pieces. But i hate Humberto Ramos’ art. It’s totally bringing my enjoyment down.
YES, Yes, Yes. I feel the exact same way. Ramos’ art in the last issue ruined it for me.
To the question about how I’ll be purchasing my comics: For the time being, I’ll still be going almost exclusively hardcopy. As much as I enjoy saving the space and hassle of having tons of comics laying around, there is nothing better than having the book in your actual hands. Between that and the fact that I am constantly pimping my comic book collection out to my friends to get them to read some of the amazing things I’m reading, it doesn’t make sense for me to go digital. Also, I live in Alabama. Comics aren’t exactly booming in the area and I refuse to not support the local shops for the survice they provide.
I have been a trade buyer for some time now and all of my digital purchases have been from publishers other than the big two. Now with Justice League #1 DC will probably make me a regular weekly buyer again with all purchases being digital.
Oh Man, I really thought it was only me when it came to looking at my comics with buyers remorse stabbing at my shoulders. They were quick reads and there was a very very slim chance that I would reread the issue. And when you buy more than one comic a week it certainly adds up. That’s why I stopped collecting back in 2001. I started again about 3 years ago but I have done it digitally and in trades. I think that a happy medium for me in that I have a phisical collection that makes my book shelf attractive, and I can always reread the digital versions on the go on my mobile devices.
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