TPB Question: Why Hardcovers?

[Mark (nonick)]

Over the last year, I've just gotten back into comics, and have been lurking here for while. On these and other boards, I frequently see people recommend HC versions of trade-collections over the softcover. Other than durability, is there some other difference I should take into account?

Thanks

[Betabox]

Hard Covers contain more content.

Eg. the TPB version of astonishing x-men was 2 vol.'s whereas the HC contained both plus all the alternate covers.

They also look nice on the shelf :P

[Sparda]

Hard Covers contain more content.

Eg. the TPB version of astonishing x-men was 2 vol.'s whereas the HC contained both plus all the alternate covers.

They also look nice on the shelf :P
He just said it. I only choose hardcovers when they have extra issues.

[Mark (nonick)]

Ahhh... Now I see. So generally, are there 2x Paperbacks worth of content in the HC's? The Punisher MAX series seems to follow that same pattern.

Thanks

[Nesteaman]

(+)

- They will last much longer.

- Easier to file. (TPB bend when on a bookshelf.)

- Nice clean feel to them every time you flip a page.


(-)

- cost an extra 10 dollars or so.

- Release dates are usually much later, so if you do not have a patience, you will be grinding your teeth a lot in anticipation.



If I made more money I would buy Hard cover.


I have about 60 TPBs and 1 hardcover, (ult. Ironman) I prefer the hard cover but for the extra 10 dollars... can't do it, that would be an extra 600 dollars spent... I dont have that kind of pennies to spend!

:D

PS: not all hardcovers have extras, some TPB's have extras too, it is all random.

[daniel2099]

i have the ultames hc
it has the 2 solfcover tpb that make up the first series

the avengers hard cover and ultamet spider man hc
folow tthe trend

[kalorama]

I rarely buy hardcovers, and almost never HCs of superhero stuff.

I buy for content and cost. The TPB versions have the same content as the "Premiere" HC versions (which I think are a ripoff) and are cheaper, so it's TPBs all the way. The oversized HCs sometimes have extra content and may even be cheaper on a cost per page breakdown, but they're also a much longer lag time in their release (a while after the release of the individual TPB collections and a long after the intial release of the monthlies). I generally don't prefer to wait that long.

[Nesteaman]

I rarely buy hardcovers, and almost never HCs of superhero stuff.

I buy for content and cost. The TPB versions have the same content as the "Premiere" HC versions (which I think are a ripoff) and are cheaper, so it's TPBs all the way. The oversized HCs sometimes have extra content and may even be cheaper on a cost per page breakdown, but they're also a much longer lag time in their release (a while after the release of the individual TPB collections and a long after the intial release of the monthlies). I generally don't prefer to wait that long.


They are better, but if you can't afford the extra 10 dollars.... then no, because they will last longer, no doubt about that.

[kalorama]

They are better, but if you can't afford the extra 10 dollars.... then no, because they will last longer, no doubt about that.

I can afford them. The economic issues have nothing to do with affordability. I just don't see the value added in HCs. It's generally the same content. The story's not any better in a TPB than a HC. And how long anything last depends, in large part, on how it's used and maintained. TPBs will last more than long enough for me (It's not like I'm reading them every day and folding all the pages back). There's nothing most HC editions provide that I can't get in the TPB editions. And there's no good reason for me to pay extra (sometimes almost twice as much) for the same thing. Even if I have the money to do so.

[Lonewalker]

I personally buy TPBs for current storylines and HC of older stories, like Archives for example.

[brainfloat]

When I buy a TPB it doesn't go on the shelf, I end up filing it in my comic boxes. And, you know, in most cases it has been cheaper to pick up back issues rather than buy a TPB ... and I don't even think about buying a hardcovers. And if I wasn't worried about money I would still buy the traditional comic issues, so I can file them in the order I want with all the crossovers and cameo appearances I've collected.

[Betabox]

Sometimes comics don't even make TPB.

Example dave mckean's cages, only availible as an HC.

The plus thing about TPB, is a whole range of TPB look awesome on a shelf.

[Young Avenger]

Another benefit of Hardcovers are the DVD-style extras. Stuff like creator commentary, interviews, original pitches, unused artwork, and stuff like that.

[Beast]

They are better, but if you can't afford the extra 10 dollars.... then no, because they will last longer, no doubt about that.
They're really not 10.00 extra. On par they're the same price as two TPB's.

[The Foreigner]

They're really not 10.00 extra. On par they're the same price as two TPB's.

And if you order them off Amazon, they're even cheaper.

Don't forget the fact that they are oversized as well. Hardcovers are by far the better value.

[Verydopey]

nah. i'm getting really frustrated with the "premier" hardcovers. cause they're too expensive and i just want the softcover. and then i have to wait ages.

[Agentum]

Well like Marvels OHCs they are not more expensive than buying the trades, of ourse i chose them when i can.
They look good on the shelf and have 12-14 issues in them.

The thinner premiere HC is not for me, i don't care for them at all, i buy softcovers instead.

[MythicBrawn]

It varies which comes out first. Identity Crisis HC is out now and the SC will come out later this year. Other series have the HC come out later as a way to bundle multiple TPBs together which is pretty good. I'm looking into buying Invincible and I will get the two HC versus trying to find all the SC TPBs. Personally, I think it's just a way for companies to profit off the same material. Nothing wrong with that if the company provides it and the market wants it.

[Agentum]

Yes the second Invincible HC must be out now, i have the first one so i will buy this.
I like when they give you a whole year of comics.

I hope they release a Powers 2 HC too

[Beacon]

The oversized hardcovers generally cost about as much as the various paperbacks they collect so once you add the durability, the larger art, extras you tend to get, and the fact that they just look nicer it’s a no-brainer.

Just stay away from those shorter overpriced “premier” hardcovers.

[Beast]

Agreed, the Oversized Hardcovers and the Omnibus Hardcovers are both well worth it. :D

[Alan2099]

I don't buy hardcover at all. They just don't feel right to me. It feels like they're trying to make the comics into something they aren't.

[Beast]

I don't buy hardcover at all. They just don't feel right to me. It feels like they're trying to make the comics into something they aren't.
Books? It's right in the title... Comic Book. :D

[Krypton-Man]

On par they're the same price as two TPB's.

And in some cases it's actually more economical to buy the HC over the TPBs.

For example 2 TPBs may run you 17 bucks each (34 bucks) while the HC will run you just 30 bucks. It's only a few dollars but you're still saving some cash.

[Lonewalker]

Books? It's right in the title... Comic Book. :D

Nice one. XD

[Steffen]

I have a few HCs but I'd rather not buy them. They cost me more, plus what's really annoying is that they're frigging uncomfortable to hold while reading.