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"?
Comments
bsokol Thu, Feb 11th, 2010 at 10:47 AM I'd like it to work just like digital copies of movies. When you buy a comic book, there is a unique code in the issue that lets you add that issue to your online collection. Then you can view or download that issue online at any time. But you have to buy the physical book to get the online version. That would work for me.
UnshavenMarc Thu, Feb 11th, 2010 at 1:49 PM
I like Brian's idea, but doubt the larger publishers would do that in lieu of a straight digital purchase / subscription service. I covered a lot of my thoughts over at comic mix on this, but Kyle here makes his points pretty clear. The fact remains, digital or not, the retailers will have to find a way to still make their store a "hub" for the comic loving community.
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