Do you prefer individual comics or getting them collected? We have a comments section please let me know which do you prefer? I like to get my individual issues instead of the collections. I have two main reasons for this. One of them is my fault and the other is either the comic industries or every other comic reader in the country.
The first reason if my own impatience. I hate waiting after a cliff hanger to see what happens next. Especially with comics that are known to leave us with cliffhangers. 'Y: The Last Man' and 'Invincible'. So I'll take the blame on this one. I just can't wait long enough for the stories that I want to read.
The other problem is not my fault. You can't be certain what will come out. Some are a given. 'Final Crisis' will be collected in a trade paper back, probably a nice hard cover to. But a lot of comics I get aren't likely to have it happen right away if at all. I bought every issue of of 'Joker: Last Laugh'. I can't say I enjoyed it that much, but if I didn't collect it I might be out of luck.
What's always fun is seeing which comics are going to be collected for us to read. Some are a complete given, like the latest volume of 'Avengers' and the latest 'Batman' mini series. But when looking at the archives, what makes one series more deserving than another?
I always figured it's either a writer or artist that is popular at the time or character/ series resurgence. Jeph Loeb suddenly becomes popular again so its time to collect an obscure series they worked on years before (Emperor Joker).
I do still consider trades a great resource, but not with any real regularity. I think they're great for catching up on series you recently discovered. It's usually cheaper getting the collection than buying the individual back issues. They are also supremely easier to find rather than going from shop to shop looking for the one issue your missing. There are a lot of other reasons but these are the two that matter to me the most.
So if you prefer to wait for trades instead of getting the issues, good for you if you have the patience. It just seems like missing out on any short series that doesn't get the support to reach tradehood.
More and more recently people are talking about the future of comics being online. Both Marvel and DC have taken tentative steps that way with Marvel's online archive and DC's Zuda. I think online will become a major part of comics, but it will not replace print.
At Wizard World Chicago a few years back, I remember a panel of creators being asked about this and one of them responded with something like "As long as people go to the bathroom, comics will be in print". I realize how versatile laptops and the iPad looks, but I don't think I'd enjoy reading a comic on a screen like a printed page. A screen that small would cause just a little too much eye strain. Nothing will replace the look of a comic, at least nothing pocket sized.
Even bigger is the collectible factor. I just want to be honest, us nerds are crazy for collectibles. You can't really CGC grade a computer file. We love to find that great deal in a dollar bin, or someone's garage sale that we can then put on Ebay for fifty bucks. The collector's value is something we have all experienced at some point, and nothing online can really duplicate it. At least nothing I've encountered.
I think Marvel has a better idea of the direction comics online should go. I've not signed up because I have issues with monthly subscriptions online, but its very tempting. I like the idea of going online to read comics I can't easily find in back issues or even trades in some cases. By the end of 2010, it will be hard for me to justify not getting a subscription.
In the meantime, I'll continue to go to my comic shop every Wednesday after work and get my weekly supply. Thats the other thing comics online can't do. Give you the same sense of community you get when you go to your favorite comic shop. You miss having a friend who works their put aside a new title you'd forgotten about because he thought you would like it. You miss seeing guys you don't know argue about whether Superman could beat up the Hulk. There is a community online, of course, but do you want to get comic recommendations from people who insist on yelling "First"?
Hello all, once again, Marc here to give you a sneak peak inside the ole' studio for a snapshot on what all we've been doing! I know we missed last week's production blog, but I figured it'd be better to keep you in the dark, then a shine a light on a less than productive week. Hey... it happens to the best of us. But we came back this week like gangbusters! Let's take a quick tour around the shop here, and see all what's being done.
In Matt-ville, Ironside is coming along nicely. With a pair of pages delivered for scanning, Matt's been hard at work inking the remaining 4 pages! These last pages deliver some serious action, and trust me, we can't wait to reveal Ironside's last stand as he goes toe-to-toe with the Unshaven Universe's most powerful hero, Liberty's Torch! And just WHY are they duking it out in the middle of the street? You'll find out soon...
In Marc-berg, a whirlwind of activity has been logged since we last spoke! First off, Chasing Daylight? Completely colored. From the pulse pounded page one to the thrilling climactic shot on page 21... all carefully bathed in color! And even cooler? The pages have started their journey into final production, as Marc completed lettering pages 1 and 2! And just to deliver that extra punch the fans deserve, Marc also started work retouching the cover! Those who got the "sneak preview" of Disposable Razors in 2009 got a taste of the final cover, but trust me, there's plenty left to do for the final printed piece.
Finally, we round the bend to Kyle-land. Kyle's been hard at work flatting the final inked pages dropped off by Matt. Color flatting, for those not-in-the-know, is the production process by which most final colors are laid in to final pages. By adding flat panels of color (and staying within the lines!) Kyle can deliver pages to Marc that cut coloring time by several hours... and that's certainly a good thing!
So, that's all for now. Stay tuned though. Next week, we induct a new member into the company!
As always, PLEASE find us fans. http://www.facebook.com/unshavencomics
Our fans will be taking part in a special little secret surprise this year at C2E2... so, if you haven't yet, become our fan!
Peace out kiddos!
Bags vs No Bags
I bag and board my new comic books every week. Religiously. I'm a little anal retentive about some things and that happens to be one of them. Every week I immediately read my comics when I get home (occasionally staying up past midnight to finish). Right after reading I seal them in an official bag and board then file them in my long boxes. I'm up to eleven of these boxes now. Everything is arranged alphabetically, in case you were wondering.
The other two members of Unshaven Comics have no such compulsions. I've lived with each of them at different times. Both of them have similarities in the manner of piles of comics sitting around on top of full boxes. Both of which also own cats. And we all know how considerate cats are of large stacks of colored paper.
I remember reading in the back of a few comics from Marvel (way back) where they talked to creators about what they do with their comics. They had people saying everything from fire proof safes to one who said he left his comics in public places for people after reading them. I imagine he gets his for free from Marvel.
So does it matter how you take care of your comics? I mean, if you've already read them does it matter if you still take care of them or not? Obviously you know my answer unless your just skimming this. Yes. The majority of comic buyers I know aren't just spending money each week for a enjoyable read they can discard after reading. For what comic cost now that would be hard to believe.
No matter the reason, comics are an investment. Some people invest for their own personal enjoyment and others for possible financial gain out of it. With all investments you needs to protect it. In this particular case you get to do so literally with casing it in plastic. Or at least a flimsy sleeve with some card stock.
I buy at least 8-15 comics a week. Sometimes more. I don't throw that money down for something I'm not going to take care of. And while my friends may leave their comics laying around for a few days in the end I usually get asked to help bag board and organize them. To be honest, it usually ends in us reminiscing about books we bought months or years ago.
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