Does your appreciation of a story change when...

[Cypocalypse_Complex]

...you read it as a collective TPB/HC as opposed to buying out the issues individually?

I just got myself Astonishing X-Men hardcover volume 2 two days ago, and reading it in hardcover made me appreciate it a lot, considering that Whedon's latter AXM works were a bit, underrated (mostly due to the delays).

I read the entire Morrison run in HC, read House of M in trade paperback, then both AXM in HC, occasionally buying some issues if a certain specific issue is compelling, but generally, it's always HC for me.

For a series that suffered significant delays, seeing the material in compiled final form is impressive. Unstoppable came out as a very interesting series for an intergalatic storyline (I wish any Shiar story can come out to be as interesting), Torn brought out impressive characterization. Really, the only part that was a bit off (part that I least liked) was Dangerous because it kinda forced the readers to empathize with an AI.

But I would dare say that the resolution in Unstoppable matches the glorified Merits of Gifted, and it was just a hassle maybe for some readers to reread back issues during that part because of the time it took to get that arc done.

But in essence, AXM HC 1 and 2 brought a better woven, smooth storyline, that I didn't feel in Morrison or Bendis in NXM or HOM respectively.

Any thoughts?

[Maestro]

Astonishing X-Men was made to be read in trade. I never once considered reading that thing in singles, not with the gargantuan delays.

I'm surprised people stuck with it in that format.

[x_goalkeeper]

For me it doesn't change my appreciation of a story. I think I am more likely to reread a paperback than 4 issues of a story arc though.

[The Black Guardian]

Nope, it doesn't change my appreciation of a story.

[Paradox]

I still say if you don't have to wait a month between reading issues of Watchmen, it's not the same. :smile:

[macul]

Depends upon the story and title. Some books I can easily read month to month. Others, such as 100 Bullets...not so much. I gave 100 Bullets a try on a monthly basis, which led me to dropping the book as I didn't care for the story. I went back and picked several of the trades up at a discount book store and now I love it.

Some books just read better as a trade.

[stealthwise]

I can't imagine having to read Y in six-eight month installments. I had to get that book each and every month that it came out in. It just read excellently that way.

On the flip side, the majority of Marvel stuff I get in is in trade, as I can't imagine wanting to read it on a month to month basis.

[Ontir]

Anytime the details are fresh in your mind, your ultimate comprehention is going to be better. You'll like it or dislike it more.

[dupont2005]

i like floppies better. i like the letters pages and editorial page.

[mgs]

sometimes but not always. if it's a well written/drawn story it should hold up in either format.

[Zero Hunter]

I agree with that. The problem comes when you have a writer who is more of a "writing for the trade" type guy. You can defiently see the flaws in their stories alot more when you read it month by month as opposed to all in one sitting.

Bendis is a prime example of this. Alot of his stuff is fine in trade, but month to month you feel like your getting ripped off since alot of time he has such lulls in the middle of his stories.

[carabas]

Bendis is a prime example of this. Alot of his stuff is fine in trade, but month to month you feel like your getting ripped off since alot of time he has such lulls in the middle of his stories.I'd argue that those aren't flaws, but the quite parts that are an almost essential element of properly paced longer stories.

[Paradox]

That's the point, though. It's paced out for the long story, not the serialized episodes. It's fine in a trade and leaves "dead spots" in individual episodes. It's the very definition of "writing for TPBs".

[JeffreyWKramer]

I find a lot of books, including most of the Vertigo books, read better in collected format.

[carabas]

That's the point, though. It's paced out for the long story, not the serialized episodes. It's fine in a trade and leaves "dead spots" in individual episodes. It's the very definition of "writing for TPBs".Ithink this is justified. Floppies have a shelf-life of a few weeks (or a few hours in some cases). Trades will be around for years. Trades trump floppies.

[Paradox]

Yes, but that's not the point that was being made.