Comic Book Singles. Yes, Again.

Got a bit of response from people, which means that somebody actually reads my blog. Anyway, good responses all around.

First, from Johnny B comes both support and clarification of my stance on singles: If the evolution of the industry dictates that in order to survive, the floppy must die and trades will be the norm, so be it. Survival of the fittest, baby. But you'll excuse me if I don't get too enthusiastic about it, and continue to by those floppy pamphlet sequential graphic type comic books until the bitter end. While he disagrees with me on the collectability aspect, that's his prerogative. I read my singles, and I re-read them, then I pass them on unless I really like them and plan on re-reading again. I don't intentionally mistreat my comics, but I don't take any super special care anymore.

From Dirk Deppey comes a more practical thought: I'm afraid that in the end, the deciding factor will have more to do with economics than personal preference. Yes, Dirk, but Franklin didn't make that argument. If he had, I would have had to concede that particular point, as it's a good one. Gone are the days when you can easily find singles on a spinner rack at your local grocery. So, score one for Dirk. By the way, Dirk writes an awful lot on days when he just "phoning in". He's almost as bad as Franklin "on vacation".

Sean Collins also weighs in with a slightly pointed attack: Tegan, define "working well," would you? Ok, it works well to present a story, and as a fun thing to pick up and read. I wasn't arguing economics, which is where both you and Dirk are trying to argue from. Yes, I know the industry is failing. It's been failing since the 70s, as far as I can tell. Maybe earlier. But I like the single format for stories, and I still think it works well.

As for big stacks of Manga for cheap prices... How? How are such things presented at such a low price point? What is different about American comics that they can't be made cheaper? I know that people claim that Manga is a much better deal, but is it? Could American comics really be made that cheap? I don't know the answers here, so you advocates of the Manga format, you tell me. Could American comics duplicate the "big book" Manga format without sacrificing too much (and I'll let you define "too much")?

I'm not opposed to other formats (in fact, I've always preferred anthologies like, oh "More Fun Comics"), but I don't think abandoning the single format, or demonizing it as so many so-called fans are attempting to do, will get us anywhere.

By the way, sorry to anyone who's response I may have missed. I'm in a bit of a hurry this morn, but I wanted to post a reply anyway.