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View Full Version : Dark Horse does it better


Hellcow
06-10-2006, 08:57 PM
I want a TShirt that says "Dark Horse does it better".

I think we should all get one and wear it to conventions, etc.

Why do I believe this.

Well I just spent a bit of time comparing the quality of paper and bindings of TPBs and HCs and in most cases, the Dark Horse products are significantly better than Image, Marvel or DC.

The GSM (density) of the paper DH uses is usually a lot higher. The finish on their paper tends to be better, and often the binding itself is better.

It looks to me as though Dark Horse really cares about the material it is publishing, like it feels the content deserves to be presented in the best manner possible. In contrast, DC has the worst quality, with paper so thin if you sneezed it might tear. Makes it look as though DC only cares about the actual sales numbers, not so much the quality of their presentation.

I know this is anecdotal, but with quality control, it seems like we get the same problems. When it comes to mangled pages, print errors, glue binding problems, etc. Guess which books I've had to return the most? DC! that's right, quite often their books have problems, like no one even checked them before they were shipped off to stores. Marvel occasionally has problems, Image rarely. And Dark Horse, hardly ever.

Compare the quality of any TPB or HC and the ranking from best to worst usually comes out:

1. Dark Horse,
2. Image,
3. Marvel,
4. DC

I looked at the quality of the Sin City library, and it puts DC's Absolute Editions to shame.

Which leads me finally to Hellboy.

If Dark Horse were to put out Hellboy and BPRD trades with the same love it has given the Frank Miller Sin City library, I think they'd make a LOT of people very happy.

Now as far as the T Shirt goes, we'd probably have to do it ourselves, because as a company, it strikes me that Dark Horse does not have the same arrogance you find with DC or Marvel. They let the quality of their product speak for itself.

Well done Dark Horse.

Neil Hill
06-10-2006, 09:16 PM
If Dark Horse were to put out Hellboy and BPRD trades with the same love it has given the Frank Miller Sin City library, I think they'd make a LOT of people very happy.

I think the trades themselves are wonderfully put together, but I assume you mean in some kind of hardbound edition? If so, I completely agree with that! :D

Mikolaj
06-11-2006, 12:42 AM
Is there anyone on this board who wouldn't protest in demand of these HC?

Jake Capps
06-11-2006, 02:14 AM
Here goes the Hard Cover Cry again! Give it time.;)

Otto66
06-14-2006, 09:05 PM
Hard Covers? No.

The TPBs are priced right and fill the need for most any comic fan.

The design of the Hard Covers would only be one most project that would
keep Mignola away from his drawingboard.

'Sides, if Mignola wanted DarkHorse to do Hard Covers, ya gotta know that
Mike Richardson would have his staff doing everything to make that happen.

Just my 2.

Hellcow
06-14-2006, 09:22 PM
So why does Frank get the special treatment?

Otto66
06-14-2006, 09:26 PM
So why does Frank get the special treatment?
He asks for it.:D

The Sin City movie had a lot to do with his stuff being repackaged.
And, maybe DarkHose is on a learning curve as to what they should publish when
a movie comes out. Makes sense that TPBs of Hellboy would sell better
for a Horror movie. Where as, Sin City, NOIR, fits a different published package.

Hellcow
06-14-2006, 11:12 PM
I would still like to see Hellboy and BPRD HCs.

But the main reason I started the thread was to compliment Dark Horse on the quality of its printing.

Has anyone else done a comparison on the quality of Dark Horse compared to Marvel, DC or Image? Did you find the same thing?

KWAK!
06-15-2006, 01:12 AM
i'd loooooove oversized hardcovers on the Hellboy books, and yeah, the Guy Davis BPRD stuff too.

And posters. I want some friggin posters. Or at least some nice prints like the Marquis prints I got from Guy's site.

and yes, I'd agree with your assessment of the DC TPB print-qaulity. My Batman: Hush trade is printed on some of the thinest, crappiest paper I've ever seen in a TPB.

DannyBoy7783
06-15-2006, 05:21 AM
I love hard covers but I'd feel kind of shafted as a fan because I've been buying the TPB all along. I hate double dipping for a product. Also, I have a feeling that a hard cover "ultimate" edition wouldn't happen until Mignola was done with everything and the story was finished. Honestly, I'm happy with the TPB and wouldn't be upset if a HC was never released.