Just a Thought is a weekly column where writer Brent Chittenden muses about comic book news, views and opinions. Brent’s views and opinions are not necessarily those of Comic Book Daily, it’s editors, writers or staff.
A few days ago I happened to hear an interview with Ed Brubaker. One of the subjects that came up was the changing landscape of comics from print to digital.
Now let me get this out of the way, right now.
I hate comics on my computer.
Hate it.
A lot.
Which is weird. I can spend a lot of time reading websites and all manner of things on my computer without being annoyed but there is something about digital comics that just bugs me. And that’s even considering the fact I’ve tried legal downloads and illegal downloads.
But I’m not a Luddite either. I know that they are coming but I’m not too scared.
Brubaker pointed out two things in his interview that I completely agree with.
There will always be printed comics.
Comics are like books, a guy like me who has been collecting comics for years and enjoys the whole process of buying comics (going in Wednesday afternoon or evening, picking up my comics from my box, talking to the guys and gals who work at my shop, coming home and then plopping down on the couch to read them) is not going to 100% replace this with a digital download. A guy who loves to have books on a shelf is not going to replace all of his books with a Sony e-reader.
The second point was that digital comics may help trade sales.
Think about your monthly comic budget. Mine’s probably about middle of the road compared to some other people. I buy a few monthlies and two or three trades a month. Because of this budget I’m leery of trying new titles in a monthly format for fear of being hooked and having to drop another title from my shopping list. Same goes for trades, I kind of stick to a few series or writers and don’t really venture out of that comfort zone a lot because I can’t really afford to pick up something on good faith that may turn out to be crap.
If I could purchase digital comics on something similar to an itunes for about the same price I can currently purchase a song (so let’s range it between $0.99 to $2.00), I would be more likely to try new titles out and the go and purchase the trade at a later date even with my dislike of digital comics.
Not a bad idea… or maybe I’m just alone on this one.
And no motion comics aren’t any better. If I want a crappy voice over, I’ll have my own in my head thank you very much.
Brent Chittenden is a Canadian based writer and co-host of The Two A$$holes Talking About Nerd Stuff podcast and occasionally writes for www.exploremusic.com. He can usually be found at www.nerdholes.blogspot.com or outside of Kristen Bell’s house, singing her love songs.
