Digital or Hard copy? - Gen. Discussion

#1 Posted by DeSpade (9 posts) - 7 months, 27 days ago - Show Bio

I used to buy my comics as hard copies but I started running out of storage or got some damaged, lost or stolen. Now I buy digital alone though I miss the glossy and bright artwork. I also found out that not all comics are available digitally.

Which do you prefer?

#2 Posted by Crash_Recovery (792 posts) - 7 months, 27 days ago - Show Bio

I'm finding that I read my digital copies more than my hard copies. They're more accessible, they don't take up any storage space, and if I want to read them again, I don't have to go digging for them.

I like hard copies, but I'm finding I care less and less about them. Having said that, I think digital copies are overpriced at their current values.

#3 Posted by guttridgeb (4346 posts) - 7 months, 27 days ago - Show Bio

I like both but if I had to chose I would say hard copies

Online

#4 Posted by cyberchop979 (411 posts) - 7 months, 27 days ago - Show Bio

I love my hard copies! I am also a big fan of Marvel's policy of including a FREE digital copy with any comic priced $3.99 and up.

I just wish DC would start including free digital copies with their books as well. I wouldn't even care if they bumped up some of their $2.99 books up to $3.99 as long as they included a free digital copy, got rid of most of the "free digital copy" signs all over the book covers and got rid of the polybags.

Basically, DC can copy Marvel's approach and I would be all for it. But, if I had to choose one form of medium, I would go hard copy. Yes, with digital you have less to worry about in terms of storage space and condition, but as far as I am aware, if ComiXology or another digital company goes belly up, there is no way (as of right now) that you would be able to read those comics anyways.

#5 Posted by The Stegman (13037 posts) - 7 months, 27 days ago - Show Bio

it depends, I usually get hard copies cause reading on the computer for prolonged periods of time hurts my eyes, however, if I have to catch up on a series, I get digital, they are way cheaper than getting back issues in the store.

#6 Posted by Aiden Cross (14478 posts) - 7 months, 27 days ago - Show Bio

I didnt think i'd say this, but i much prefer reading my comics on my tablet than paper in my hands. It has grown on me. Only time i prefer paper is when it's a sunny day and i'm reading my comics outside in the sun, i cant see it properly on my tablet.

#7 Posted by Dreamcast89 (81 posts) - 7 months, 27 days ago - Show Bio

You people know not what you do! You'll kill comics! Stick to hard copy.

#8 Posted by JediXMan (22948 posts) - 7 months, 27 days ago - Show Bio

I still like hard copies; I like the feel and act of reading actual paper on ink. Just how I am.

But I am considering going digital for certain comics.

#9 Posted by halpme (2 posts) - 7 months, 27 days ago - Show Bio

100% hard copies. I wouldn't mind to read comics on my ipad, but I just don't like the pricing. As long as most of the digital comics are about the same proce as the hard copies, I'll stick to the hard copies..

#10 Posted by Dreamcast89 (81 posts) - 7 months, 27 days ago - Show Bio

@halpme said:

100% hard copies. I wouldn't mind to read comics on my ipad, but I just don't like the pricing. As long as most of the digital comics are about the same proce as the hard copies, I'll stick to the hard copies..

Not to mention you don't actually own them. Just digital data.

#11 Posted by blur1528 (1017 posts) - 4 months, 16 days ago - Show Bio

@DeSpade: I have a fair balance of both, I suppose. I do love to have a few comics on the phone to read wherever and whenever I get bored :)

#12 Posted by Cap10nate (963 posts) - 4 months, 16 days ago - Show Bio

I buy most of my books electronically. I like not having to store books and having them all right at my hand. It has also made it easy for me read a lot of back issues. I don't think that digital will kill the comic book industry. It definitely isn't doing favors for the LCS but for the actual producers, it lowers costs which would help keep costs low for consumers.

I do buy some of my favorite series in hard copy though just because I like to leaf through the ones with really interesting art and panel layout like Swamp Thing and Winter Soldier. Other than that, I only purchase significant issues like 1st appearances, 1st issues, or rare variants. I don't think that most of these modern books will be worth anything in future since there are so many people who read them once and bag/board them leading to a large supply of these books that will be in excellent shape. The collectibility of these books are zero to a marginal amount that are not worth the space that they take up.

#13 Posted by knighthood (919 posts) - 4 months, 16 days ago - Show Bio

I prefer both.

DC should adapt Marvel's 3.99 for digital content idea. I hate buying the DC combo pack just to get a variant cover. If I get a physical comic it shouldn't be a variant.

#14 Edited by ZEELLO (219 posts) - 4 months, 16 days ago - Show Bio

at this time physical seems miles better to me for all sorts of reasons.

Storage is not an issue for me which is ironic since I have little-no furniture and actually complain I have no place to put anything not even my clothes. But I guess comics takes up less space than most things plus I don't have nearly as many comics/manga as most people so it hasn't been an issue for me yet. I don't see it being an issue since I can easily buy a storage box or letter box to dump them in which works great.

#15 Posted by Retro_Metro (368 posts) - 4 months, 16 days ago - Show Bio

Hard copy; You get to the page smell and touch.

#16 Posted by Catsnlynne (371 posts) - 4 months, 16 days ago - Show Bio

i do have some digital but I like hard copies the best.

#17 Posted by YourNeighborhoodComicGeek (13843 posts) - 4 months, 16 days ago - Show Bio

Digital

Pros

Doesn't take up that much space in your house
More portable than hard copies since you can store lots of comics in one device.
You can use them to make good quality scans

Cons

If something is wrong with your device/account then you lose your entire comic collection.
Most of the comics cost significantly more than hard copies.
Accounts can be hacked.

Hard Copy

Pros

Allows more impressive comic book collection displays, and its the classic/old-school way.
Hard Copies can be signed or have higher value depending on age, signature, etc.
Easier to share with friends without the hassle or internet problems.

Cons

Easier to steal, and can rip, tear, etc.
Books deteriorate over time, so the quality of the book might drop over the years if you pass it down from generation to generation.
You may eventually run out of space to store your comics and you will have to resort to shoving them in your attic (more so if you have limited space).

#18 Posted by RideASpaceCowboy (266 posts) - 4 months, 16 days ago - Show Bio

If the hard copy includes a digital copy as well (which requires special orders for sealed combo-packs of Action Comics, Batman, and Justice League, though standard for Marvel titles such as All-New X-men, Avengers, New Avengers, and Invincible Hulk), I purchase such through a local comic store. Otherwise, for titles such as Aquaman, Earth-2, and Superman, I simply get the digital version only.

The way I see it, the digital version is the real comic; if I get a cheap printout of it to file away somewhere I'll take that as well, but I'll never buy the print instead of the HD version for my iPad.

#19 Posted by Chronus (978 posts) - 4 months, 16 days ago - Show Bio

I prefer hard copies. I would go digital if all comic books were adapted digitally.

#20 Posted by Catsnlynne (371 posts) - 4 months, 16 days ago - Show Bio

My question is if you buy the hard copy of a comic book why do you need or want the free digital that comes with it?

#21 Posted by jwalser3 (2124 posts) - 4 months, 16 days ago - Show Bio

Hard copy! Nothing beats actually holding the thing. Kinda like CDs. But I enjoy both.