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Post by masterofquackfu on Aug 3, 2020 10:11:13 GMT -5
Hello,
Just putting this out there because I am sure there are a few people like me who have totally changed their view about comic books being digitally displayed online. Now, being an older guy, I was always in the camp that stated that physical comics would never be displaced by digital comics. I had tried to read comic books online previously and didn't enjoy the experience. However, after giving it another shot, as well as finding several decent online sites, I must say that I've acclimated myself to it and have become a proponent of it, rather than an opponent. Most scans are very good quality and the speed to turn a page is similar to that of a physical copy.
The sheer volume of titles is the biggest attraction. They have so many that I'll never have to re-read any of my old physical titles...something that I had been doing until last year. And the fact that you can read all of these old titles...books you never had a chance to read because you were either born after they were released or simply had no ability to purchase them at the time...well, frankly, it is quite amazing. You can read them for free or a small fee. So far, I've read a few hundred and I've read them all for free. Another thing is that I no longer have to worry about storage of my comics. Not that I ever had a huge amount(less than 1,500), but still...I don't have to worry about taking up more space in my apartment. I can just read online and that's it..continue on to the next book. So, not only do I no longer have to dole out money for comic books, I also don't have to deal with storing them. And, my physical comics, well...I've read most of them multiple times anyhow and gotten my money's worth.
So now I am in the process where I am selling about 70% of my collection. I will always love physical books and, honestly, they are superior to digital as it relates to the whole reading experience. But digital does present a number of lovely benefits as those stated above. I'll always keep some physical copies around, but, from this point forward, I do not believe I will ever purchase another physical comic book again. Ever. So, for those out there that have become hooked on digital, how do you feel about it?
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Post by MDG on Aug 3, 2020 10:16:30 GMT -5
My whole outlook changed when I realized that, while I wanted to read a lot of comics, I had no desire to own many of those comics. Digital rentals are a godsend.
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Post by Icctrombone on Aug 3, 2020 10:20:57 GMT -5
No doubt, digital has its rewards. What site are you using if I may ask ?
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Post by MDG on Aug 3, 2020 18:31:15 GMT -5
No doubt, digital has its rewards. What site are you using if I may ask ? I've been using Hoopla through the local library and buying some stuff through amazon.
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Post by berkley on Aug 3, 2020 23:25:57 GMT -5
If I wanted to read any current Marvel or DC stuff I would very likely go the digital route for most of it, unless perhaps there was an issue or collection I really liked for the artwork or some other reason. But there would have to be quite a dramatic turnaround in their product for that to ever happen.
I was noticed a few nights ago that Image lets you read a some 1st issues online at their website so I read Decorum #1, by Jonathan Hickman and Mike Huddleston. This is the first I've seen of Huddleston's artwork and there were some nice panels. Not sure I can put up with Hickman's stylistic quirks long enough to keep reading, though. But I'll start looking for more first issues of other series to read online now.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2020 23:53:50 GMT -5
I have Marvel Unlimited, DC Universe and access to Hoopla, so there's a lot of stuff I read digitally. With newer material, if I like it, I will then get the trades to have it in my library. Sometimes it is more convenient to read digitally even when I own the physical issues if the mood strikes me to read something and I don't have the time or wherewithal to go dig it out, but mostly I use it to read stuff I do not own.
I still buy some stuff new in individual physical issues to support books I enjoy and my friends who own the lcs. Usually small press stuff, indy stuff or second or third tier books form the bigger publishers that I want to support, but most new stuff I get physically I get in trade form now.
I still can't bring myself to buy individual digital copies of books, but paying for access to a library of digital material doesn't bother me.
-M
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Post by Dizzy D on Aug 4, 2020 7:52:01 GMT -5
I've been buying quite a few Humble Bundles in the past few years. I still stick with physical for a lot of comics, but I like having some digital comics on my work laptop to read when I'm in transit to work and home (these days not much of a factor, true).
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Post by wildfire2099 on Aug 5, 2020 22:36:54 GMT -5
I've been reading some stuff on hoopla just because new comics are so expensive now.... a $4 comic that reads in 7 minutes is not a good value to me.
I definitely don't think the experiences is anywhere near as good, and can't see myself paying for them.
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bor
Full Member
Posts: 238
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Post by bor on Aug 5, 2020 23:37:59 GMT -5
I have been half digital and half physical for a few years now. For reading modern comics something like marvel unlimited is great. But in the end, like with movies or records , I am always going to want to have my favorite in physical format. But as a “I just want to read this or check it out” its great. Forinstance after reading a Marvel epic collection I am able to go to unlimited and read what comes after. This suits my jut fine until the next collection comes out. Then there are some things like 0,99$ (or 1,09 € for us here in Europe) where you can get things very cheaply. Sometimes even whole 300 + pages collections for that price.
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Post by berkley on Aug 6, 2020 0:24:29 GMT -5
I've been reading some stuff on hoopla just because new comics are so expensive now.... a $4 comic that reads in 7 minutes is not a good value to me. I definitely don't think the experiences is anywhere near as good, and can't see myself paying for them. What are the prices on hoopla like?
I agree about the brevity and slightness of a lot (not all) of current comics, especially the Marvel/DC stuff. Even if I liked it a lot more than i do I would find it hard to justify paying what they charge for it.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2020 0:48:22 GMT -5
I've been reading some stuff on hoopla just because new comics are so expensive now.... a $4 comic that reads in 7 minutes is not a good value to me. I definitely don't think the experiences is anywhere near as good, and can't see myself paying for them. What are the prices on hoopla like? I agree about the brevity and slightness of a lot (not all) of current comics, especially the Marvel/DC stuff. Even if I liked it a lot more than i do I would find it hard to justify paying what they charge for it.
Hoopla is provided through library systems. It's free for the user, but the library pays them a fee to allow their patrons access. Each library systems sets their own borrowing limit (based on the fee they pay to hoopla). Our library allows 10 borrows a month (it was bumped to 15 through the COVID shutdown, but just dropped back to 10 in August). -M
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Post by Icctrombone on Aug 6, 2020 5:02:38 GMT -5
I'm getting increasingly annoyed with my iPad. It wasn't able to download the DC universe app and it says it's incompatible with the hoopla app.
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Post by MDG on Aug 6, 2020 7:42:43 GMT -5
What are the prices on hoopla like? I agree about the brevity and slightness of a lot (not all) of current comics, especially the Marvel/DC stuff. Even if I liked it a lot more than i do I would find it hard to justify paying what they charge for it.
Hoopla is provided through library systems. It's free for the user, but the library pays them a fee to allow their patrons access. Each library systems sets their own borrowing limit (based on the fee they pay to hoopla). Our library allows 10 borrows a month (it was bumped to 15 through the COVID shutdown, bt just dropped back to 10 in August). -M Wow! Mine only allows 4. (They do have another ebook supplier that doesn't have comics).
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2020 14:31:30 GMT -5
"Hey Kay, I want to show you my comic collection." Pulls out Ipad or laptop.
Uh....yeah....I prefer a good old fashioned mess packed in the shortbox. I can even hold a slabbed book in my hands.
Old school and stubborn and proud of it.
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Post by brutalis on Aug 6, 2020 16:38:34 GMT -5
Digital is convenient so you dont have to lug around something to read at times like waiting for a doctor appointment. It is NOT so convenient when you don't have internet services. My digital are cheap inexpensive downloads from Amazon on my Kindle or from my CD/ROM sets of Star Trek and Archie. I like those as I can upload to any new Kindle or laptop I may purchase in the future. Nothing replaces the pure satisfaction of holding a comic book in my hands. Though it is grand to finding expensive issues I may never own but can read on a digital platform. Plus, reading comics from the 40's and 50's digitally is just about the only way to go based upon affordability and or availability.
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