Why do you read comic books?

[dodger8804]

So I was talking to my friend the other day, trying to convince him to get into comic books. He wouldn't bite. Why? He brought up some pretty good points for why he didn"t want to start buying. Here's what he said:

1) Why would I spend 3 or 4 bucks on a peice of material that will only give me 15 to 20 minutes of entertainment? There are more things that cost less and will give me more entertainment for my dollar.
2) Why would I spend the money, when I could just download scans off the internet? Don't you get the same entertainment, but for free?
3)The comics are too complicated, and to understand them, I'll have to buy tons of comics to keep up the storylines.

Well, I was hoping you guys could weigh in your opinions on the points he gave. Hopefully, I can take some of the answers you give me and convince him to come with me to the LCS for the first time.

[aut0matic]

1) Why would I spend 3 or 4 bucks on a peice of material that will only give me 15 to 20 minutes of entertainment? There are more things that cost less and will give me more entertainment for my dollar.

personally, i buy the trades and often re-read most of them. that gives me more than 15-20 minutes of entertainment. i spend most of my money every month on my car, women, and alochol (and not always in that order.) we all have our hobbies and have different means of entertainment.

2) Why would I spend the money, when I could just download scans off the internet? Don't you get the same entertainment, but for free?

sure, but you could also use that arguement for movies, music, and video games. i don't like reading a comic from a monitor. it's more comfortable and more satisfying to hold it in your hands..


3)The comics are too complicated, and to understand them, I'll have to buy tons of comics to keep up the storylines.

that's why i lurk around these boards. i don't have the money to buy every single story line and keep up with all the monthlies going on. i read threads to catch up with what's going on. not the most exciting way to read comics, i know, but at least i'm all caught up when it comes to the storylines that i do want to read about.

[ryerye17]

because comic books are fun and escaptionist.

[Michael P]

because comic books are fun and escaptionist.

That's not a word.

And I wasn't aware I needed a reason.

[howyadoin]

escaptionist

That's not a word.It's definitely better than Michael Moore's "fictitions", though.

[Slackjaws_ate_my_brain]

Why? Because it's what I've done, on and off, since I was 4 years old (before I could read).

I still remember, clear as day : I'm sitting in my bedroom, 4 years old. I hear the downstairs door open, and I hear my Gram (her voice almost always preceeded her entering a room)yell up the steps "Freddie-Deddie! Come downstairs! I have something for you!!!".

Of course, I ran downstairs as fast as my little legs would take me, and I saw "it". "It" was a brown paper grocery bag. I walked over to it and tried to pick it up. i couldn't, it was too heavy for my four-year-old arms to even budge. That being the case, I kinda slid it to the middle of the living room floor, where I opened the bag.

Peering up at me from the bag was a stack of old comic books. "Here you go, some funny books for you. Every kid needs funny books" my gram chuckled as I pulled the books out.

The books were mostly 70's marvel books: A pile of Star Wars comics, some Battlestar Gallactica issues, a few Incredible Hulk issues (my favorite was one involving the 3D Man), a Machine Man issue, a few FFs, a couple Amazing Spider-man issues, and on and on. There were a handful of DCs as well (a Flash issue with Captain Boomerang, an old giant-sized Batman, and a couple JLAs).

I was happy as a clam. I looked through those books DAILY, RELIGIOUSLY. When i learned to read when I was 5, I began to read them...and re-read them...and re-read them. Of course, by that point, my Dad saw that I liked comics and started taking me to our local newsstand every Sunday where he'd let me pick out one comic from the rack. I LIVED for those Sunday trips, man.

Anywho, to answer the question of "Why?", for me, comics just remind me of a simpler time and let me be that little kid again, completely caught up in the world of super-heroes, where things make sense. My Gram gave me a lot over the 24 years I'd known her before she passed away, and the love of comics may be the best one.

[Aziz Abbasi]

I'll have to go through annoying details to reason why I read comics, so if you'd prefer to spare yourselves don't look down at my lines under this one on this post:

It started with loving "Spider-Man & His Amazing Friends" to me, I loved Spider-Man's humor, powers & costume ever since, I also loved Iceman.
Then I watched the solo Spider-Man cartoon from the same era and I loved every episode of it as much as I loved Spider-Friends
The I saw a few episodes of season 1 of the 60s Spider-Man animated series, also loved everything about it, especially that they made Peter experiment with his web fluid
As well as these, I saw the "Incredible Hulk" animated series of the same era, and loved every moment of it I now have both this show and SM&HAF on DVD sets
Then I enjoyed "The Incredible Hulk" TV series starring "Lou Ferrigno" & "Bill Bixby" as Hulk & Banner respectively, the show really grabbed my attention and gained my admiration
Before I read superhero comic books I read Disney comics, I love everything about them
I started readin Batman & Superman comics, their art and stories grabbed me, I really enjoyed them, and when I knew my favorite Superhero Spider-Man has his own comic series I browsed websites concerning his everything, even comics
Back in 2001 my passion for comics wasn't as deep as it is now, I wasn't a collector but I really enjoyed Superhero comics the most
Then I started collecting all Spider-Man titles seriously
Later I learned the truth of Deadpool and collected his comics mainly for laughs, there I discovered more to enjoy than just the comedy
I have a HUGE indescribable love for Superhero "Video Games", especially "Marvel Comics" games
I read a preview of issue one of "Invincible Iron Man" by "Matt Fraction" & "Salvador Larroca", this is what made me a serious collector of "Iron Man"
The heroes who guest star in series I used to collect on their own and they interested me very strongly I started collecting theirs
I also read all essentials, showcases, TPb's of comics Superheroes

I did start love for "Archie Comics" along the way

[Paradox]

I like stories.

[Daniel Mengsk]

1) Why would I spend 3 or 4 bucks on a peice of material that will only give me 15 to 20 minutes of entertainment? There are more things that cost less and will give me more entertainment for my dollar.



I don't know how many times I've re-read old comic books that I have - it has given me more then a mere 15 minutes of entertainment.


2) Why would I spend the money, when I could just download scans off the internet? Don't you get the same entertainment, but for free?



Sure, with that logic I could say the same thing about food and other material stuff; why would I spend money on them when I could just grab them from the shelf of a store (pst. don't steal from a store kiddies - it ain't cool)?


3)The comics are too complicated, and to understand them, I'll have to buy tons of comics to keep up the storylines.


Eh...try taking a course in advanced organic chemistry, then we can talk about "complicated." :wink:

[LewMoxinsghost]

1) Why would I spend 3 or 4 bucks on a peice of material that will only give me 15 to 20 minutes of entertainment? There are more things that cost less and will give me more entertainment for my dollar.
2) Why would I spend the money, when I could just download scans off the internet? Don't you get the same entertainment, but for free?
3)The comics are too complicated, and to understand them, I'll have to buy tons of comics to keep up the storylines.


A friend of mine said it best when he said "Because real books are for losers."

1) In all seriousness, I think the price tag is too high myself- but graphic novels and tradepaperbacks (TPBs) are still a bargain. Also, once you realize that most comics depreciate in value, and once you stop trying to keep up with the "cool" crowd, you can haunt the back issue bins, flea markets, and other locales and snap them up at a fraction of the cost.

2) Because ink and paper gives me a direct sensory connection to the story, as opposed to a download, which is nice and all, but not nearly as enjoyable. Reflected light is also easier on the eyes than a monitor. Kindles and laptops are still too bulky in my opinion, and iPhones are too small. I'm waiting for digital paper to get mass-produced, then we'll talk- all this gadgetry costs money, too, ya know.

3)TPBs are often worth the wait. It is easier to objectively decide if a massive storyline is for you and you get a better sense of what you are in for. Also, you can keep up with what is going on without buying comics by visiting message boards.

[Roquefort Raider]

So I was talking to my friend the other day, trying to convince him to get into comic books. He wouldn't bite. Why? He brought up some pretty good points for why he didn"t want to start buying. Here's what he said:

1) Why would I spend 3 or 4 bucks on a peice of material that will only give me 15 to 20 minutes of entertainment? There are more things that cost less and will give me more entertainment for my dollar.

That's a valid point. I love comics and have for more than 40 years, but I would not start reading them today at 3-4 bucks per floppy. My reading habit began when comics cost 25 cents.

I read trades now; more bang for the buck. Maybe your friend would be more interested in that.


2) Why would I spend the money, when I could just download scans off the internet? Don't you get the same entertainment, but for free?

Not all made-for-the-internet comics are as good as the published ones, although some are definitely worth the time. As for the scans available from publishers for a small fee, they're a pretty good idea... but I find that I prefer to read an actual high-resolution printed book than a 72 dpi comic.

And as for downloading comics that were illegally scanned... Well, first it's illegal; second, it's immoral; and third... It's a really crappy trick to play on the creators.



3)The comics are too complicated, and to understand them, I'll have to buy tons of comics to keep up the storylines.

That is true of the massive company-wide stories, but not of what readers can find in a typical independent title. Even the majors will publish some good self-contained stories.

I doubt that your friend will be convinced by arguments, however. Comics' main thing is that they're addictive! Lend him (or her) a few good ones and see what happens! :smile:

[dodger8804]

Well, he's gonna bite. But only under one condition. I have to order them for him off of DCBService.com. So far he's gonna get Batman, ASM, Dark Avengers, and JLA. He wanted Superman, but that whole "complicated as *&%@" storyline was enough to put him off the book. Hopefully, he'll get bitten by the comic bug soon enough.

[Clint Barton]

Escapism and nostalgia are my main reasons I read comic books.

[clayholio]

Calvin and Hobbes is why I read comics. It may not be "comic books" (I read comic books plenty too), but if you can hand someone a C&H book and they still don't get it, they're a soulless demon that must be killed immediately. If they do, then you've got to help them find something in the genre that they like reading, because they can handle the sequential art thing.

And I don't think you can ever win an economic argument about the entertainment value vs. cost of comics. If someone's basing their choices on that, you're barking up the wrong tree.

[Daniel Mengsk]

I read trades now; more bang for the buck. Maybe your friend would be more interested in that.

Do you still find a noticable difference in pricing when it comes to single issues vs trades (in Canada)? I talked to somebody over at Cres a while ago and he said that the trades (in the U.S.) are starting to get more expensive over there - so much so that the difference between the two (issues and trades) is starting to become a bit blur.

[Kees_L]

I buy comics which I like. If I don't I don't.
The ones I have and like I consider to be worth the money. (Either singles or TPB or hardcovers. Nothing digital 'though as I feel such to be surrogate.)

I don't merely collect certain titles or specific characters. I buy comics for the art and stories, done by creators I think to be good. So I never have to buy stuff which I'd consider to be crappy.
Really works for me.

[howyadoin]

Well, he's gonna bite. But only under one condition. I have to order them for him off of DCBService.com. So far he's gonna get Batman, ASM, Dark Avengers, and JLA. He wanted Superman, but that whole "complicated as *&%@" storyline was enough to put him off the book. Hopefully, he'll get bitten by the comic bug soon enough.If he doesn't want complex backstory, what's he doing reading any of those books?

[Cloudman]

"Because it's sterile and I like the taste."

No, it's not a real answer. But it was a stupid question to ask.

[Jae Namkyoung]

I buy my comics because I like to read them. I don't mind shelling out money for books that are worth it, which is why I'm here. I run around the boards checking out the fan opinions, and then head to my LCS talk with the shop keeper of whom I've known for a few years now and then I go and buy my books.

I mostly live through trades and various additional materials like Showcase Presents, Essentials and DC Archives. I like comic books as a whole, and we really shouldn't need a reason why we like them. We're all here aren't we?

[dodger8804]

Well I've never been one to go around and buy many different books. I only have a couple series that I read, and I always stay with them usually. I still I haven't dropped any titles since I started reading last year. I do however read Limiteds and One-Shots.

[The Black Guardian]

1) Why would I spend 3 or 4 bucks on a peice of material that will only give me 15 to 20 minutes of entertainment? There are more things that cost less and will give me more entertainment for my dollar.
Truth is, I get more than 15-20 minutes of entertainment per book. After I read a book, I often discuss it with others for hours, days, weeks... maybe even years. That's part of the entertainment.

2) Why would I spend the money, when I could just download scans off the internet? Don't you get the same entertainment, but for free?
Some are emotionally worth more. Some are not.

3)The comics are too complicated, and to understand them, I'll have to buy tons of comics to keep up the storylines.
Same could be said of a lot of fiction.

[Mia]

Most of my answers have already been addressed. But I will say that I read comics in order to read about qualities I admire in men and women. It's so nice to see (at least with my favourite characters) men and women who act like responsible adults and do their duty. I find them very inspiring.

[Mormel]

As for the complicated storylines, and intertwining books... I can't say that has ever bothered me anywhere. If I only want to read one title, or two, I'll still understand the basic storyline because of the exposition in the book. The basics are always explained.

I don't own a single complete crossover, either. There's plenty of recap to fill in the gaps, and if the conclusion happens in a book I do not read, or in a one-shot I don't want to buy, then I'll read about the outcome later in the series I DO read, because it's bound to come up.

[Aaron Kashtan]

There is one comic book which has the property that, when I read it, I will be rewarded with eternal happiness, fame, and wisdom. Unfortunately, I don't know which comic book it is, so I have to read as many of them as possible.

[Asmith]

So I was talking to my friend the other day, trying to convince him to get into comic books. He wouldn't bite. Why? He brought up some pretty good points for why he didn"t want to start buying. Here's what he said:

1) Why would I spend 3 or 4 bucks on a peice of material that will only give me 15 to 20 minutes of entertainment? There are more things that cost less and will give me more entertainment for my dollar.
2) Why would I spend the money, when I could just download scans off the internet? Don't you get the same entertainment, but for free?
3)The comics are too complicated, and to understand them, I'll have to buy tons of comics to keep up the storylines.

Well, I was hoping you guys could weigh in your opinions on the points he gave. Hopefully, I can take some of the answers you give me and convince him to come with me to the LCS for the first time.

Your friend is quite correct. However you and he are only talking about the craptastic super heroe genre... comic books are a medium, it can, and does, tell many different types of stories than just men in tights. And stories that don't have the same pitfalls as those your friend has pointed out.

[mgs]

1) Why would I spend 3 or 4 bucks on a peice of material that will only give me 15 to 20 minutes of entertainment? There are more things that cost less and will give me more entertainment for my dollar.
I HATE that arguement more than I hate Satan....well, maybe, but it's close!!! :mad:

For these types of people, I think the best is to maybe give them a copy of McCloud's Understanding Comics, and if they still don't get or hate them afterwards, no biggie, just more comics for me! :tongue:

[Asmith]

I HATE that arguement more than I hate Satan....well, maybe, but it's close!!! :mad:

For these types of people, I think the best is to maybe give them a copy of McCloud's Understanding Comics, and if they still don't get or hate them afterwards, no biggie, just more comics for me! :tongue:

You can reference St.McCloud the patron saint of socially cringing comic geeks everywhere, but that still doesn't answer the problem of only getting a 3 to 5 minute read with the average monthly for a whopping $4 to $5... and you don't even get the entire story!!

I love comic books, and enjoy the mindless super hero crap as much as the next guy, but I don't read them anymore as I just wasn't getting my dollars worth...

It's a good arguement the fellow put forward and is very valid... other than only reading in trades, I don't have a good answer to it - and from your post, neither do you...

And with prices only going up, page counts staying low, and a dwindling readership... it will only mean LESS comics for you in the long run.

[Paradox]

Even when I've had money, it was still tough paying $3-4 for a comic when they were only 12 cents when I started.

[carabas]

) Why would I spend 3 or 4 bucks on a peice of material that will only give me 15 to 20 minutes of entertainment? There are more things that cost less and will give me more entertainment for my dollar.Because they are fun. Because they offer something regular prose or film or television cannot. There are very interesting storytelling techniques that are completely unique to comics.

2) Why would I spend the money, when I could just download scans off the internet? Don't you get the same entertainment, but for free?Because I'm not an asshole. I do use downloads to sample new books or new creative teams, but downloading entire series just strikes me as wrong. If it's good enough to read, it's good enough to buy. And it's not good enough to read, then why download it?


3)The comics are too complicated, and to understand them, I'll have to buy tons of comics to keep up the storylines.Only if you care about the big picture of the Big Two's superhero universes.

[Paradox]

carabas must accept:

Only if you care about the big picture of the Big Two's superhero universes.

To be fair, due to the serialized nature, he might just be referring to single titles. They're nowhere near as good at following the "every comic is someone's first" philosophy and making sure things are recapped as they were back in the day. Miss an issue of many comics, and it's easy to drop into "what the hell's is going on" land.

[Asmith]

Even when I've had money, it was still tough paying $3-4 for a comic when they were only 12 cents when I started.

An old buddy of mine decided to get back into comics after a long hiatus. His first comment? "I spent ten bucks, got two comics and read them both in about five minutes... I can get an entire season of Star Trek for $35... What a gyp!" He hasn't gone back.

[Asmith]

Because they are fun. Because they offer something regular prose or film or television cannot. There are very interesting storytelling techniques that are completely unique to comics.

You forgot, overpriced and no value for your dollar. Which was what the original question was about. Not the question you made up and chose to answer, which was, 'What's so gosh darn great about comics as a medium?'...

[Justin K.]

Even when I've had money, it was still tough paying $3-4 for a comic when they were only 12 cents when I started.

How old are you?

[carabas]

You forgot, overpriced and no value for your dollar. Which was what the original question was about. Not the question you made up and chose to answer, which was, 'What's so gosh darn great about comics as a medium?'...
I did answer the question.

Why would I spend 3 or 4 bucks on a peice of material that will only give me 15 to 20 minutes of entertainment? There are more things that cost less and will give me more entertainment for my dollar.
Because I think they're entertaining and offer something unique I cannot get anywhere else.

Also, this isn't an either/or matter. I also spend money on other media. I manage to get video games, novels, DVD sets and comics.

Money and value for money aren't the be all and end all of why people buy stuff.

[Asmith]

I did answer the question.

Because I think they're entertaining and offer something unique I cannot get anywhere else.

Also, this isn't an either/or matter. I also spend money on other media. I manage to get video games, novels, DVD sets and comics.

Money and value for money aren't the be all and end all of why people buy stuff.

Okay, I see where you're coming from... but what about the other half of the question which is clearly a financial dollar to time spent query? (And I think we can agree that the fellow's estimate of 15 to 20 minutes was grossly over estimating - unless he suffers from some reading disability or his guide dog does...) Or are you of the opinion that comic reading is such a unique joy that it can't be judged in dollar value to entertainment time against other recreational media in the market?

[Paradox]

justinkos91 must be destroying his short term memory:

How old are you?

48, same as the last time you asked (psst, it's in my profile). :wink:

[Asmith]

48, same as the last time you asked (psst, it's in my profile). :wink:

You probably don't need to worry till he pulls out the 'Are you M or F?' question... probably...

[carabas]

Okay, I see where you're coming from... but what about the other half of the question which is clearly a financial dollar to time spent query?As far as I am concerned, it is not really a part of the equation.

DVD boxed sets of television series have roughly ten times the running time of a DVD film and cost only two or three times as much? Why ever spend money on a film then? Does one buy novels by page count?

Now what is part of the equation is the shoddy production values. €3 was already pushing it for a flimsy, badly stapled together, fragile rag that is at least 1/3rd adds.

Edited to add: I just dropped all of the Marvel $4 books. The tally was getting insane. I'll get the trades in a year or so.

[Kees_L]

Well I won't argue that comics cost money.
But things will vary. (I'm sorry if this reads like a badly translated computer manual.)

Like before the internet I had to travel far for a comip shop. Such would cut like a full price tpb from my saved up budget already (something like $35). And upon arrival I needed to buy my sh!t or just end up with nothing but discontent and some loose change.
If shops would be carrying anything good, it would likely not be anything cheap.
Shops here never exaggerate buying in their stuff. Every copy of anything will likely be their last one. Except for generic books and titles.
I mean hell, it's not like I'm picky with my comics for nothing. I'm no millionaire, I have taste and I'm not stupid (what are the odds :tongue:...)

So for me, if comics were anything cheap, then I'd be likely evicted for space pollution or ST.
Or I just wouldn't find time no more to be buying it all.
So I don't mind coughing stuff up at the bookstore.
And that's why I want my comics to deliver and be not worthless. That's why I demand popular brands to deliver like they did in their prime or just move out of the way.
And that's why I'm buying every Hellboy-related (or Mignola-related) title in all US formats.

[mgs]

I buy comics which I like. If I don't I don't.
The ones I have and like I consider to be worth the money. (Either singles or TPB or hardcovers. Nothing digital 'though as I feel such to be surrogate.)

I don't merely collect certain titles or specific characters. I buy comics for the art and stories, done by creators I think to be good. So I never have to buy stuff which I'd consider to be crappy.
Really works for me.
I agree.


You can reference St.McCloud the patron saint of socially cringing comic geeks everywhere, but that still doesn't answer the problem of only getting a 3 to 5 minute read with the average monthly for a whopping $4 to $5... and you don't even get the entire story!!

well, they ARE getting a bit pricey, for the serials, BUT, if you merely want story, pick up a prose book. Comics are about the story AND the art, and, as you probably know, there are more comics out there than just Marvel and DC. Some are less and some are more. Some are worth it, some are not. And if you deal with a reputable and successful comic book store, more than not, you would probably not be paying that full price for your comics.

But the time thing is still idiotic to me. How much is ANY idea worth?

[FanLove4Blade]

So I was talking to my friend the other day, trying to convince him to get into comic books. He wouldn't bite. Why? He brought up some pretty good points for why he didn"t want to start buying. Here's what he said:

1) Why would I spend 3 or 4 bucks on a peice of material that will only give me 15 to 20 minutes of entertainment? There are more things that cost less and will give me more entertainment for my dollar.
2) Why would I spend the money, when I could just download scans off the internet? Don't you get the same entertainment, but for free?
3)The comics are too complicated, and to understand them, I'll have to buy tons of comics to keep up the storylines.

Well, I was hoping you guys could weigh in your opinions on the points he gave. Hopefully, I can take some of the answers you give me and convince him to come with me to the LCS for the first time.

show him a movie based on a comic book character you know he'll really like. erm. i mean a movie you know he's gonna like based on a comic book character. if he likes action, show him that for example. That might get him interested. That's how I bought my very first comic book a few weeks ago. I wanted to know the origins of my fave movie character. and the origins of that trilogy I never get enough of. :smile:

[Paradox]

If it's Blade, he's virtually nothing like the movie guy. Was that a bit of a shock?

You did go back to Tomb of Dracula, right?

[FanLove4Blade]

If it's Blade, he's virtually nothing like the movie guy. Was that a bit of a shock?

*laughs* it was, actually a shock. Comic book Blade is different from movie Blade. Some similarities...but many differences. I wasnt expecting it.


You did go back to Tomb of Dracula, right?

That wasnt there when i grabbed the only blade comic they had - Blade Black and White.

[Paradox]

Oh, that's late late in his career to me. He's got years of continuity way before he ever got a title. You should delve into ToD. It's great stuff!

[FanLove4Blade]

Oh, that's late late in his career to me. He's got years of continuity way before he ever got a title. You should delve into ToD. It's great stuff!

I hear ya. If i find it, its mine. :cool:

[Paradox]

Found! (http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Tomb-Dracula-Marvel-Essentials/dp/078510920X) :biggrin:

Sadly, I think they're in B & W, not color. On the other hand, the Colan/Palmer art probably shines even more in B & W, considering the old four-color dot coloring the originals are in.

[howyadoin]

Found! (http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Tomb-Dracula-Marvel-Essentials/dp/078510920X) :biggrin:

Sadly, I think they're in B & W, not color. On the other hand, the Colan/Palmer art probably shines even more in B & W, considering the old four-color dot coloring the originals are in.He also appeared in a story with Morbius (Adventure into Fear #24). Art by Craig Russell.

[DubipR]

1) Why would I spend 3 or 4 bucks on a peice of material that will only give me 15 to 20 minutes of entertainment? There are more things that cost less and will give me more entertainment for my dollar.

Let's see...compared to a gaming system that costs about $200 plus and something that will be obsolete until the next big thing comes along, spending 4 bucks on a comic that can give you hours and years of entertainment sounds like a better investment for keep one occupied. They're pure escapism, tons of genres to choose from and it gives a chance to find a place to discuss them like we do here. Also, what if the power goes out, what's your 'friend' going to do while he's sitting in the pitch black waiting for his game on his gaming system to come back; candles/flashlight, some comics and the time will pass by until the lights come back on. Just curious, aside from arcade games (where your money is lost for good) can you for less?


2) Why would I spend the money, when I could just download scans off the internet? Don't you get the same entertainment, but for free?

That's just being a douche in downloading comics. There's nothing tangible when reading a comic online..the smell of newsprint, the high gloss... hell, just holding a comic is much better than a 10 pound computer you can't quite hold.


3)The comics are too complicated, and to understand them, I'll have to buy tons of comics to keep up the storylines.

You know there's lots of trades like Marvel Essentials to help you along; Wiki's there to give you some backstory..its not hard to just jump in a comic. Like others said, if your 'friend' has seen the comics in other formats like movies or animation, you have the characteristics down and you could read anything. Marvel even gives you a recap page at the begining of each issue! Complicated my ass!



Well, I was hoping you guys could weigh in your opinions on the points he gave. Hopefully, I can take some of the answers you give me and convince him to come with me to the LCS for the first time.

Movies, TV and the internet should make your 'friend' up to speed with every comic reader right now. Sure he might not know all the 60 history of a comic but that's the best part of comics...its accessable in any capacity. Also find out what he likes (movies, tv, etc) and work along with that to find him a comic or 10.

[Paradox]

howyadoin adds:

He also appeared in a story with Morbius (Adventure into Fear #24). Art by Craig Russell.

What, you don't like Craig's P.? :biggrin:

[howyadoin]

What, you don't like Craig's P.? :biggrin:Hah. He hadn't started using the P. at that point.

[FanLove4Blade]

Found! (http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Tomb-Dracula-Marvel-Essentials/dp/078510920X) :biggrin:

Sadly, I think they're in B & W, not color. On the other hand, the Colan/Palmer art probably shines even more in B & W, considering the old four-color dot coloring the originals are in.


He also appeared in a story with Morbius (Adventure into Fear #24). Art by Craig Russell.

Thank you, guys :biggrin: :cool:

Durrr, amazon. Mightgo there amazon though that is if i can't find it anywhere else. My friend is a huge anime and manga fan though who likes certain comics. I'll bet she knows of comic book shops where i might find it. :)

[Paradox]

And if they don't have it/them, they might order it for you.

[howyadoin]

My friend is a huge anime and manga fan though who likes certain comics. I'll bet she knows of comic book shops where i might find it. :)I dunno how close you are to St. John's, but I remember Timemasters bein' pretty great.

[Asmith]

But the time thing is still idiotic to me. How much is ANY idea worth?

The time it takes to read a comic can be balanced dollar-wise against other mediums, video games, film, books, magazines... it just doesn't encompass your idea of comic as grand ideas... y'know like how they keep re-telling the Dark Phoniex saga...

[dupersuper]

1) Why would I spend 3 or 4 bucks on a peice of material that will only give me 15 to 20 minutes of entertainment? There are more things that cost less and will give me more entertainment for my dollar.

I obviously find that enjoyment worth the price, plus I reread often.

2) Why would I spend the money, when I could just download scans off the internet? Don't you get the same entertainment, but for free?

There really is just no substitute (as far as I'm concerned) for holding a book in your hands and flipping through it (comic, novel, whatever)

3)The comics are too complicated, and to understand them, I'll have to buy tons of comics to keep up the storylines.

It's harder than it used to be (WHY do they not use the little asterix box with back issue info any more??), but still very simple to catch up as you go; and there's always the internet if you really feel you need the whole backstory all at once.

Plus, I've been reading them since I was a little kid and they're fun.


I like stories.

Also that.


Your friend is quite correct. However you and he are only talking about the craptastic super heroe genre... comic books are a medium, it can, and does, tell many different types of stories than just men in tights. And stories that don't have the same pitfalls as those your friend has pointed out.

Only the 3rd point is even possibly super-hero specific.


You can reference St.McCloud the patron saint of socially cringing comic geeks everywhere, but that still doesn't answer the problem of only getting a 3 to 5 minute read with the average monthly for a whopping $4 to $5... and you don't even get the entire story!!


3-5 minutes? Slow down and savor, son...it's not a race...what books are you reading?


To be fair, due to the serialized nature, he might just be referring to single titles. They're nowhere near as good at following the "every comic is someone's first" philosophy and making sure things are recapped as they were back in the day. Miss an issue of many comics, and it's easy to drop into "what the hell's is going on" land.

Especially with so many books "writing for the tpb" these days...

[dodger8804]

Okay, I see where you're coming from... but what about the other half of the question which is clearly a financial dollar to time spent query? (And I think we can agree that the fellow's estimate of 15 to 20 minutes was grossly over estimating - unless he suffers from some reading disability or his guide dog does...) Or are you of the opinion that comic reading is such a unique joy that it can't be judged in dollar value to entertainment time against other recreational media in the market?

Um, no it wasn't an overestimation...
Sometimes it takes me 15 minutes to read a book, sometimes it can take up to 40, depending how into the book I am. Geez dood, slow down and take it in...

[howyadoin]

3-5 minutes? Slow down and savor, son...it's not a race...what books are you reading?Some books are just easy to read fast - either the plot moves quickly, or there's not actually a lot happening. I can read a Walking Dead trade in about 20 minutes, for instance.

[dupont2005]

1) Why would I spend 3 or 4 bucks on a peice of material that will only give me 15 to 20 minutes of entertainment? There are more things that cost less and will give me more entertainment for my dollar. i usually don't buy current floppies. my comics usually cost me between ten cents and a quarter each. if i do buy a full priced current floppy it's because i really wanted to. also, i don't flip through my comics in 15 minutes. i like to savor each page, enjoy each line. i spend a half hour or more on a floppy easily
2) Why would I spend the money, when I could just download scans off the internet? Don't you get the same entertainment, but for free?there are a million reasons not to download. i don't want to be a jerk, i don't like reading comics on a computer screen, i don't want to crap up my computer with viruses and waste all my memory on comics
3)The comics are too complicated, and to understand them, I'll have to buy tons of comics to keep up the storylines.quit reading superhero garbage

ten characters

[Asmith]

Some books are just easy to read fast - either the plot moves quickly, or there's not actually a lot happening. I can read a Walking Dead trade in about 20 minutes, for instance.

I'm getting the feeling that peoples reading times vary greatly. It's probably just a variance in different folks comprehension levels. I recall reading somewhere that the average person reads in 8 word blocks or groupings with full comprehension of the text. I knew a girl who averaged something closer to 20. And then there are others who can't absorb words and pictures at the same time - something particularly useful to comics.

People are different and their natural comprehension speeds will of course be different as well. I would of pegged my reading speed at about average or somewhat under, but of course there is always going to be people both a lot faster than me and, of course, a lot slower.

Different strokes, different folks.

[FanLove4Blade]

I dunno how close you are to St. John's, but I remember Timemasters bein' pretty great.

close enough :)

i could go there. ^^

[howyadoin]

I'm getting the feeling that peoples reading times vary greatly. It's probably just a variance in different folks comprehension levels. I recall reading somewhere that the average person reads in 8 word blocks or groupings with full comprehension of the text. I knew a girl who averaged something closer to 20. And then there are others who can't absorb words and pictures at the same time - something particularly useful to comics.

People are different and their natural comprehension speeds will of course be different as well. I would of pegged my reading speed at about average or somewhat under, but of course there is always going to be people both a lot faster than me and, of course, a lot slower.

Different strokes, different folks.How fast do you read novels? Any idea?


close enough :)

i could go there. ^^I honestly don't know what it's like these days, but in the early 90s when my cousin Geoff co-owned it, it was an excellent store. I'm not sure if he maintained an interest after he moved to Ontario or not, though.

[Cloudman]

I'm getting the feeling that peoples reading times vary greatly. It's probably just a variance in different folks comprehension levels.

Or how long they want to spend reading something that cost them $3.99.

[Kees_L]

I'm getting the feeling that peoples reading times vary greatly. It's probably just a variance in different folks comprehension levels.

And don't forget the savouring parts. If I particularly like a page, I may 'read' it or weigh it a good couple of instants.
Also, I run around. Upon reading exquisite stuff. I jump up, exclamate somethin' and walk or move about. Did this for the Fafhrd & the Gray Mouser reprint tpb, for example. I like that one.

[howyadoin]

Did this for the Fafhrd & the Gray Mouser reprint tpb, for example. I like that one.The Mike Mignola adaption? I fucking love that.

[Kees_L]

That's the one.

I'm kind of a Mignola fan. And Williamson ain't bad neither. Just recently I read a Moorcock novel: 'Corum ~ the Prince with the Silver Hand'.
Loved it.
Although it sounds like a bit of a mouthful, with the moorcock, the prince and the hand of silver... Bit much, like a funk video :smile:.

[Asmith]

How fast do you read novels? Any idea?

Good question, and one that's easy to test out...
Standard paperback. Set in 8.5pt Times. 14 words a line. 36 lines per page. 500 words per page approx. Averaged out over 5 pages, my reading speed is 1 minute and 20 seconds per page. Which I think puts me in the slightly slower than average reading speed class. Since I think average should work out to be closer to a minute.


Or how long they want to spend reading something that cost them $3.99.

I suppose booze or a joint could help wilfully retard a persons comprehension to help them get more out of modern comics...

[Chris N]

How fast do you read novels? Any idea?

I think we've decided you read about 7 times as fast as I do.

[howyadoin]

Good question, and one that's easy to test out...
Standard paperback. Set in 8.5pt Times. 14 words a line. 36 lines per page. 500 words per page approx. Averaged out over 5 pages, my reading speed is 1 minute and 20 seconds per page. Which I think puts me in the slightly slower than average reading speed class. Since I think average should work out to be closer to a minute.Yeah, that makes sense. I think I'm slightly under a minute - depending, obviously, on the writing style.

[mailedbypostman1]

Because they're fun, they have an element of badass you don't see often in other works, they can incroporate alot of unique individuals, they have cool art, and they're fun.

[RolandJP]

Cheaper than a bottle of booze and it leaves my head with the same fuzzy warmth of being struck with a 1,000 hammers.



PS. It also allows me to a Superhero movie playing at the cinema and shout--"That aint how it went in the comic!"

[razibur]

I just got into comics last week so I've been doing a lot of catching up. Right now I'm current in Y The Last Man and Runaways and think Brian K Vaughn is a master at his craft. I blitzed through both series in a matter of days...

I'm heavily engrossed in Ultimate Spider-Man, currently making my way through the back issues. I plan to read a lot more Ultimate Universe stuff though. X-Men will probably be next, but I want to read the Ultimates and Fantastic Four too.

Got lots of other stuff to read to as I get time for it. Fables, Watchmen, Dark Knight Returns, much much more.

Y The Last Man was the first book I really read and got cought up in. It was my "gateway comic." Such a rad story. Such excellent writing. Since I've never really been into the whole "cape and tights" aspect of comics it was nice to see there was other mature type stories out there worth reading, but it unexpectedly turned me on to superhero stuff (by way of Runaways)...



Mengembalikan Jati Diri Bangsa (http://kerjakeras.com/mengembalikan-jati-diri-bangsa/)|
Kenali Dan Kunjungi Objek Wisata Di Pandeglang (http://kerjakeras.com/kenali-dan-kunjungi-objek-wisata-di-pandeglang/)

[razibur]

I just got into comics last week so I've been doing a lot of catching up. Right now I'm current in Y The Last Man and Runaways and think Brian K Vaughn is a master at his craft. I blitzed through both series in a matter of days...

I'm heavily engrossed in Ultimate Spider-Man, currently making my way through the back issues. I plan to read a lot more Ultimate Universe stuff though. X-Men will probably be next, but I want to read the Ultimates and Fantastic Four too.

Got lots of other stuff to read to as I get time for it. Fables, Watchmen, Dark Knight Returns, much much more.

Y The Last Man was the first book I really read and got cought up in. It was my "gateway comic." Such a rad story. Such excellent writing. Since I've never really been into the whole "cape and tights" aspect of comics it was nice to see there was other mature type stories out there worth reading, but it unexpectedly turned me on to superhero stuff (by way of Runaways)...



Mengembalikan Jati Diri Bangsa (http://kerjakeras.com/mengembalikan-jati-diri-bangsa/)|
Kenali Dan Kunjungi Objek Wisata Di Pandeglang (http://kerjakeras.com/kenali-dan-kunjungi-objek-wisata-di-pandeglang/)

[razibur]

I just got into comics last week so I've been doing a lot of catching up. Right now I'm current in Y The Last Man and Runaways and think Brian K Vaughn is a master at his craft. I blitzed through both series in a matter of days...

I'm heavily engrossed in Ultimate Spider-Man, currently making my way through the back issues. I plan to read a lot more Ultimate Universe stuff though. X-Men will probably be next, but I want to read the Ultimates and Fantastic Four too.

Got lots of other stuff to read to as I get time for it. Fables, Watchmen, Dark Knight Returns, much much more.

Y The Last Man was the first book I really read and got cought up in. It was my "gateway comic." Such a rad story. Such excellent writing. Since I've never really been into the whole "cape and tights" aspect of comics it was nice to see there was other mature type stories out there worth reading, but it unexpectedly turned me on to superhero stuff (by way of Runaways)...



Mengembalikan Jati Diri Bangsa (http://kerjakeras.com/mengembalikan-jati-diri-bangsa/)|
Kenali Dan Kunjungi Objek Wisata Di Pandeglang (http://kerjakeras.com/kenali-dan-kunjungi-objek-wisata-di-pandeglang/)

[dupersuper]

Some books are just easy to read fast - either the plot moves quickly, or there's not actually a lot happening. I can read a Walking Dead trade in about 20 minutes, for instance.

That's weird...I read Walking Dead trades in about 20-30 minutes...but usually take 10-15 to read floppies. I do slow down to savor and give the art a reasonably close look, but I do that with the trades to. Go figure...

[Karl O'Neill]

Great entertainment.

I like reading all sorts of stuff. Books, blogs, comics, mags.

[Asmith]

PS. It also allows me to a Superhero movie playing at the cinema and shout--"That aint how it went in the comic!"

That's just annoying... Nothing gives you that right, not even if you're on a field trip with a Special Ed. class...

[geminicomplex]

I read because not only are they things that have been a part of my life for close to 16 years, but I adore the art and process that goes into making comics. Nothing is better to me than to get a book by Olivier Coipel or Steve McNiven. As someone who strives to be a good artist, its great to see things that are so well thought out and drawn.

If I wouldn't have gotten into comics as a kid, I probably would've lost out on such a therapeutic activity like drawing.