Like everything else in this world, the comic industry is in a constant state of change. Writing and art styles evolve, page counts shrink, prices go up, and characters have bits of unknown history filled in and get surly, and so on and so on. Even the way books are sold have changed from being in every corner drug store (now replaced by 7-11’s) and grocery store (now Superstores) to the “Direct Market” or, as you know it, the Local Comic Shop.
The merits and faults of this system could be argued endlessly with neither side agreeing and I have no desire to down that road. The path I travel today is down the next big change to comics that being the paper free version. I touched on it a couple of weeks ago when a high profile comic guy mentioned that in 30 years, the comic BOOK would be no more. Then, I attacked the foolishness of his words as a businessman. Now, I attack his flawed logic.
There is no doubt in my mind that 30 years from now, not only will paper comics still be made, they will be made for another couple of decades after that. This is a belief that I hold dear and true, not unlike a religion, which I cannot back up with any fact other than I want it to. Well, that and the history of the comic book.
At the present, the comic book is in a state of resurgence. Sales are up, interest is high in other media and people are talking about it. One of the biggest complaints I heard about San Diego was the “lack” of comics and the increased prominence of multi-media. What most people failed to see was that nearly all of the multi-media was related to comics. The movies (Spider-Man 3), the video games (JLA Heroes, Marvel’s Ultimate Alliance), the indy slasher flick companies showcasing Dan Brereton artwork and so much more. It was all related in some manner.
So what does this say? People are looking at comics for inspiration and creation. The writer’s ideas, the artist’s vision, the fan’s loyalty; almost every aspect of our industry someone wants a piece of.
“But Shepherd, what does this have to do with the paper comic not getting replaced by the electronic?” Well, a couple of things. First, I would suggest that the buzz and depth the medium is getting will help solidify the industry as a whole. With people nipping and chomping at us, the demand is there to not just keep producing but outdoing. That’s good. And the buzz alone often counts for more than cash. In Hollywood, the worst thing that can happen to someone is to not have anyone talk about them.
Second would be the growing interest not in just the concepts but our actual product as well. It’s no secret that bookstore chains like Chapters and Amazon are going big on trade paperbacks to satisfy the non-geeks of the world. Thankfully, they are so poorly stocked and there is zero customer service that little stores like HH and Elfsar can not just survive but thrive. And honestly, while trades account for the fastest growing segment of the comics industry, it is not the largest. In fact, new trades account for about 20% of the comic market and when you factor in all trades (which generally get lumped in with magazines and books) we’re still only at about 40%. (Comics Buyers’ Guide Market Report) There’s a lot of room there to grow and growing is what it’s doing.
But I guess I still haven’t answered the question, have I. Okay, let’s go down this road over here. Ever hear of “Books on Tape”. Of course you have. People who travel love them but once upon a time it was touted that the paperback would be going the way of the dodo. Well, it didn’t happen and it won’t happen. Ask any reader of books with or without pictures and they’ll usually say the same thing. It’s the feel of the paper in your hands. It’s the freedom to read where you want, when you want. No boot ups or crashes. No small screens or pixels.
Reading is an experience, a diversion, a pleasure and with the world constantly finding ways to make things more convenient, there will always be a need for things to be enjoyable.
Which is entirely what comics are all about, enjoyment. And that’s why I believe they will never die.
The Shepherd
Kevin Sole said
September 23 2006 @ 11:54 am
I don’t think Mark Millar explained it very well — that, or he simply didn’t know what he was talking about in the first place, but had the intention in mind.
The printed comic _will_ die. Plain and simple.
I don’t, however, believe that anything printed on a screen will be it’s permanent (or even popular) replacement — though certainly, digital distribution isn’t exactly unheard of. Webcomics (by which I mean, something resembling a 4-6 panel joke of the day, kind of strip, like PVP or Sinfest) are of course, enjoyed online; they are also in print, and as I understand it, enjoy success in that area, also. And there are “regular” comics — the 22pg one that the “big three” put out (and others, of course, but once you get indy, the format starts changing more often) — that are digitally distributed. A Distant Soil was just recently put online, for example. Or Powers, and Kabuki, being put up page by page at Newsarama.
It’s happening, but that isn’t what will replace print.
Sooner then (most) people think, people will change. “Virtual Reality” will become infinitely more plausible. We’ll slowly replace parts of our — if not the entire — bodies with machines. Nanotechnology, foglets. Reality will be what we make of it. (Really, I can’t explain it very well, but do yourself a favor, and read “The Age of Spiritual Machines”. Now.)
Paper will be replaced by Virtual Paper. We will be able to “download” the newest releases (or old releases), and sort of ‘imagine’ them being in our hands. And it will _feel_ like they are really there. Or, alternately, it _will_ be there, as created by nanotechnology, but it won’t technically be “paper” — press a button, and it disappears into some archive where it can be recalled and recreated at any time.
So to paraphrase another…
“Printed comics are dead! Long live printed comics!”
Dollman said
September 23 2006 @ 11:14 pm
The flaw with Miller’s assertion is that he assumes that everyone will access to a computer. As much as the world continues to go high tech and wireless, the reality is that not everyone has the resources to own a computer.
Aside from Jay’s argument that people like the feel of paper in their hands, which I totally agree with, what economic benefit is there for comic publishers to go completely digital? Sure some comics are available for download, but by and large, the traditional comic distribution channel is still the most profitable for publishers great and small.
Comics will evolve, no doubt about that. The paper will get better, as will the production values, and probably the distribution (hopefully a significant alternative to Diamond like the golden age of the 1980s). But the one constant is the paper format.
Like books, some things are universal. And don’t get me wrong, I love my tech toys. But it’s easier to lie on a couch and reach for my paper comic book and enjoy the read, than it is to dig up my laptop and holding it upright while reclining on the couch. And no, I wouldn’t want to read a digital comic in an iPod, Palm, and any other minuture tech toy.
Dollman said
September 24 2006 @ 7:15 am
After reading my original post, I wanted to elaborate a bit more on the commercial angle as to why the digital comic book would never replace the traditional spine and paper format. The factor that seems to be missed by proponents of the digital format - and it’s an immensely important factor when it comes to comics - is the collectibilities angle.
Digital comics would effectively wipe the back issue market for new comics. While that seems to be an oxymoron, and the argument can be made that the back issue is dwindling and that trades have made them redundant anyway…such is not the case.
True, there’s not much of a demand for back issues in the Edmonton market. At local shows, it seems like most dealers are just trying to dump their junk, while buyers are constantly haggling and looking for deals. My experience at the San Diego Con has shown me otherwise.
State side, and North America as a whole, despite the availability of reprinted material on better and slicker formats, there are significant amount of collectors who want to own the original title.
And that’s just looking at the commercial aspect from the collector side. From the publisher side, as much as I loathed the foil covers and trading card gimmicks of the ’90s - the bastard cousin of these two seems to have returned for good.
Anyone notice the ridiculous amounts of variant covers these days? My buddy cleaned out his file yesterday, and the first thing Shawna brought to his attention was the different cover versions of Red Sonja that might be missed. I asked him why he needs all the different covers, to which he replies..”Because they’re cool and I got to have them.” Basically, the variant cover has doubled the sale of a book for Dynamic Forces, and I’m sure my buddy isn’t the only customer hooked on variants.
Ultimately I think there is a role and market for digital comics. But like digital books, I think it will be a minor role and won’t replace the traditional bricks and mortar local comic shops. Notable authors like Stephen King and Scott Adams have experimented with selling books exclusively online. Ultimately they’ve returned to the traditional format.
Brian said
September 24 2006 @ 9:15 pm
I’m fairly confident about paper being around for a long time to come, but this “Behind the Counter” has brought to mind a personal joy I get from reading comics in paper form.
I’ll do my very best to express it here, no promises though
Watching TV, reading computer screens has, what i believe to be, an outward pressing effect on my experience. I’m not really sure why, but a lighted screen has a effect of a wall or screen. I read the same story, but I don’t get lost in it. I don’t come up from reading it feeling like I’ve been somewhere else. Things like video games where I’m required to get involved in order for the thing to even work, do “suck me in”, but when it comes to stories, it’s paper that makes me forget I’m reading a story. The story just happens and I’m right there with anyone of the characters.
I realise that this is a personally experince that other may not share. I just wanted to share it with you all
I like comics in any form. I love comics in print.
Bri
Dollman said
September 28 2006 @ 3:30 pm
I know completely what you’re saying about “being in the story” Brian. Most recent experience…Ultimates2 # 9! Actually the entire run of Ultimates 1 & 2 is like watching a epic blockbuster movie in print - largely due to Bryan Hitch’s incredible art.
But issue #9, when the bad guys take over the USA…WOW!!! For those who don’t pick up Ultimates on a regular basis, I strongly urge you to read this issue. IMO, the best comic of last 12 months.