DC comic subscriptions value question

[edelin]

I've been researching various subscriptions for the new relaunch titles, but so far all of the information I've found only concerns the timing and packaging.

I don't really care about when the comics arrive or the packaging as long as I don't miss any issues and the comics are in good condition. What I want to know is which subscription will save me the most money.

For a comparison of action comics subscriptions:
Directly from DC: ~$2.50 per issue (29.99 for 12) or ~$2.07 (if you order 5 or more subscriptions)
Mycomicshop: As low as $2.79 per issue (if you commit to a $300+ subscription?)
Milehighcomics: As low as $2.40 per issue (maximum discount of 40%, but their website says $3.49.) The website is a mess to navigate and I'm not sure if this is correct.
My local comic book store: ~$3.60 (10% off cover price)
note: I didn't factor in any shipping costs.

I've never had a subscription before so I'm wondering, is getting my comics directly from DC the best deal or are there cheaper/better options?

[Kurri]

I go to my LCS, but would love to hear someones opinion on ordering directly from DC. Do they come bagged and boarded? on time? It really does save money in the long run (unless they charge some crazy price for shipping?)

[CyberCoyote]

If you don't mind waiting a month out to get the books I've never had a bad experience with Discount Comicbook Services. 2.99 books average about 1.79 plus they run specials. Monthly shipping is $6.25 I think. You place your orders a couple months ahead but if you're running behind they'll accomodate you. If you get once a month shipping they usually send the whole lot out the last Wednesday of the month. They bod them up well and I've never had a damaged book, plus you can track your order once it ships.

They also have a sister website instocktrades, great discounts and I think they still do free shipping on orders over $50 there..

[Rat A Tat]

I think, if you're planning on getting more than 5 titles, DC is the cheapest way to go. Action and JL are the only ones that are $29.99 for a year. The rest are $24.99. That's including shipping, so in other words, shipping is free. Once you hit 5 titles, you take 20% off for each title, so those $24.99 become $19.99. That's about $1.66 per issue, or $2.00 for JL/Action. I don't think you're going to beat that.

[Kurri]

I think, if you're planning on getting more than 5 titles, DC is the cheapest way to go. Action and JL are the only ones that are $29.99 for a year. The rest are $24.99. That's including shipping, so in other words, shipping is free. Once you hit 5 titles, you take 20% off for each title, so those $24.99 become $19.99. That's about $1.66 per issue, or $2.00 for JL/Action. I don't think you're going to beat that.

Do you have a DC subscription? books come bagged and boarded? good condition? usually on time?

Thanks!

[Rat A Tat]

I do not have a subscription personally (at least not yet). I was looking into it the other day though.

I haven't read anything about packaging other than it's possible your mailman might roll it up to stick it in your mailbox, so it must be envelopes. I've read that shipping times are inconsistent, sometimes coming a couple days after release, sometimes 2-4 weeks after.

I know there's a few people on the boards who have or have had a DC subscription, so hopefully someone with experience can chime in.

[sethysquare]

Yeah but if u read the description, it says they ship every other month. So each time they ship you'll receive 2 copies, and then 2 months later you'll receive another 2 copies. Its all relative to how fast you want your comics. If you cant wait, then go to LCS, if you can wait for 2 months, go subscribe from DC.

[Rat A Tat]

Yeah but if u read the description, it says they ship every other month.

Do you know this, or are you just surmising that from the asterisk on the subscription page? The only thing on the subscription page that mentions shipping bi-monthly is for the Cartoon Network Action Park and Looney Tunes (because the comics themselves are bi-monthly). I don't see anything else detailing the specifics of shipping schedules for the rest of the comics or in general.

[sethysquare]

Do you know this, or are you just surmising that from the asterisk on the subscription page? The only thing on the subscription page that mentions shipping bi-monthly is for the Cartoon Network Action Park and Looney Tunes (because the comics themselves are bi-monthly). I don't see anything else detailing the specifics of shipping schedules for the rest of the comics or in general.

My bad, i went to double check it again, turns out, I misread the page.

[edelin]

Thank you for the replies. I think I'll go with DC.

I've read the comics are delivered in clear plastic bags with 2 pieces of heavy paper/thin cardboard. Perhaps they print your address on one of these pieces. It would be great to have an actual subscriber confirm this.

I guess all that's left is deciding which comics to subscribe to.

[withanx]

I personally just subscribed to 6 comics. I am a basic kind of person. Action Comics, Superman, Detective Comics, Batman, Batman: The Dark Knight, and Justice League. Plus I am buying the first issues of Catwoman and one I had never heard of called Vodoo because it sounded interesting. Anyway, I got my #1 of Detective Comics the day after the publish date, but am still waiting on my Action Comics #1. So there is at least some inconsistency in the ship dates. I actually found your post because I was curious what anyone knew about the time it takes to get comics straight from DC.

[CyberCoyote]

I personally just subscribed to 6 comics. I am a basic kind of person. Action Comics, Superman, Detective Comics, Batman, Batman: The Dark Knight, and Justice League. Plus I am buying the first issues of Catwoman and one I had never heard of called Vodoo because it sounded interesting. Anyway, I got my #1 of Detective Comics the day after the publish date, but am still waiting on my Action Comics #1. So there is at least some inconsistency in the ship dates. I actually found your post because I was curious what anyone knew about the time it takes to get comics straight from DC.

withanx, can you describe the packaging Detective came in for the OP?

[sethysquare]

Wow. It seemed like I have a terrible terrible misconception about subscription from DC. I previously considered subscribing but thought it really sucks to wait a month before the comics arrive so I decided to give it a pass. Turns out, I read online they actually get posted 2-3 weeks after release. According to Withanx, it seems like some of them arrive 1 day after issue date. Amazing. Can anyone else share their experiences? Also does anyone know about international subscribers? How are international shipping being delayed? I've calculated, even with International shipping charge its still much cheaper than buying from LCS.
Anyone care to share on this topic???

[wizzo91]

Ive also subscribed to 6 titles at DC Comics. I was just wondering if you get a confirmation E-Mail of some kind after you subscribe? I have tried contacting support, but they aren't answering, and I cant call because I live in Europe. So you guys think they got my request, or should I repeat the order process?

[sethysquare]

Ive also subscribed to 6 titles at DC Comics. I was just wondering if you get a confirmation E-Mail of some kind after you subscribe? I have tried contacting support, but they aren't answering, and I cant call because I live in Europe. So you guys think they got my request, or should I repeat the order process?

I tried emailing them regarding some queries but they didnt reply me.