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Let's Get Digital--It's Time to Do Away With Single-Issue Print Comics

6/17/2013

 
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by Brian LeTendre

One of my favorite comic guys Jimmy Palmiotti posted his thoughts about the future of print comics on Facebook today. He was basically proposing that the industry move from single-issue “floppies” to monthly hardcover trades that could be categorized by character and sold for a similar price to what the individual issues would cost. So, instead of getting all of the individual books in the Batman family each month, you’d buy one hardcover that contained all of that month’s titles (Batman, Detective, Batman and Robin, etc.).

I really like that idea, and it’s similar to something Erik Larsen proposed back in 2010, and other creators have talked about as well. There is growing consensus that the single-issue delivery method for print comics will eventually have to go for the industry to survive long-term.

As people who listen to Secret Identity and read my posts on the SI website know, I am also a big fan of digital comics, and the work that creators like Mark Waid have been doing to experiment in that arena.

Whether you agree with one of the current theories or not, I’m glad there is ongoing discussion and brainstorming about how to keep the hobby healthy moving forward. I’ve been thinking a lot about the relationship between print and digital, and what I’d like to see is something of a combination of what Waid and Palmiotti have talked about. A strategy that plays to the strengths of both formats, and gives readers options.

Quite simply, what I would like to see, much like Palmiotti and Larsen, is the end of single-issue print comics. BUT, single issues could continue to be available in digital format, just like they are right now.

Think about it. For folks that still want their comics in small bites, they could buy single issues digitally every week. Each month, collected editions would be released in print (perhaps in both paperback and hardcover), and those editions could feature letters pages and extras that cater to the collector. On the digital front, single issues would feature digital extras similar to Marvel’s AR or be presented in a more dynamic style like Waid’s comics on Thrillbent. While the story would be the same, each format you bought your comics in would have unique extras.

This is not a new idea. When you look at some of the “digital first” initiatives by Marvel and DC, you’re basically seeing a pilot of what I’m proposing. Titles like Smallville and Injustice: Gods Among Us are huge digital successes that are then released in print as well. The only difference with what I’m proposing is that they would not be released as single issues anymore, but rather as collections.

So, to recap--single issues available in digital, collected editions available in print. Play to the strengths of both formats, and give readers a choice as to how they want to experience their comics.

What do you think? Sound off in the comments!


Steve Ellis link
6/17/2013 01:53:11 am

This is stuff that we were all talking about back when we were a part of the Zuda digital line from DC years ago. Single issues are really part of an old model that is on the outs. I only make print versions for conventions when people want to read something on the spot and have something to walk away with form a show. I also like the idea that the individual digital issues can be test runs for concepts,and even be used to set up a project, create and audience and then the print version can be a more exclusive beautiful version( in Manga the telephone book mangas are like test runs for new projects, when they are compiled they go back in and fully realize the art, changing backgrounds, text and other stuff.

TREVOR link
6/17/2013 02:29:36 am

Meh, none of this digital stuff works for me. I don't enjoy reading comics on a screen. also I enjoy the conversation on the new books too much to want to wait for a collected edition. In short this idea (as good as it is) wouldn't work for me. There will be loss of fans no matter how in depth a new program is. That's the nature of change right?

Also I'm not convinced I will be able to read digi comics I buy today 30 years from now.

milkman (Ian)
6/17/2013 05:56:04 pm

I pretty much only read in trade, except for the few I read in issue form. But I go back and forth on this and it really just has to do with how much I want to read it. I do love print but they've kinda made it stupid with ten issue story arcs that span five years, if they get completed at all. Give me one and done in issue form and larger arcs in a trade, is that so hard? The comic industry frustrates me because I wanna read em, but it seems like with the pricing and the business model they've put in place that they don't want me. I find reading digital comics about as fun as an episode of West Wing, which is to say not at all. That said, reading the summer reading project on iPad and I'm loving Rogue Squadron.

Erik Larsen link
6/17/2013 05:55:14 pm

That was not my point at all. I absolutely do not advocate ceasing the publication of monthly comic books and going digital as this implies. My point was to suggest a more attractive format that some publishers could use. As things are now...comics are on an upswing and books are profitable. Ditching that would be a bad idea.

milkman (Ian)
6/17/2013 06:00:44 pm

So what would be a better system? I really think these long story arcs are killing things. Or is that just for me. I'm open to it just being me, I'm usually alone on these things.

Brian
6/17/2013 10:02:28 pm

I'm not implying that at all, Erik. Like you, I'm suggesting the monthly books undergo a format change, from what we now know as single issues to collections. All that material would still be available every month in print--the only thing ceasing is the single issue format, which is what you proposed as well.

Wayne
6/18/2013 07:37:21 am

Floppies are pricing themselves out of my collection. I am increasingly buying digital or trades. I couldn't care less if they stopped printing comics all together.

TREVOR
6/18/2013 08:40:27 am

Hush yo mouth

Wayne
6/19/2013 04:52:07 am

I'm not saying they SHOULD stop printing floppies. I'm just saying I, personally, no longer care.


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