This is a subject which probably has come to mind to many comic book readers. With things like the iPad coming out for domestic and commercial use and the ability to read e-books on there, we even seen demo's from marvel that were sent out a while back as free previews to get new readers into comics. With the way things are now in the world of comic industry, it would be a wonder if the paper comics will survive long enough for people to want to go back to the comics and actually hold them and collect them. 
 
  Though i can not speak for the companies that create comics, yes we see all these movies out there based on comics, sometimes it leads into a quick surge into comic buying but never really sustains for long. and with prices going up in comics, it makes it harder for people to take multiple titles which would end up decreasing in sales of comics. While something like the iPad probably would allow people to download a comic for 99 cents per title. It makes you wonder with the difference in price that it would then raise the price of the actual comics because not many would buy the actual copy. 
 
  But that is purely just conjecture. Many people on this site can see the good and bad aspects of the iPad in how people can look at comics. in a way it can bring many new people into the realm of comics as things go digital, many of things today are part of a digital revolution. and many of the people who buy actual comics still will probably still stick with their all time favorites. but there is no lie that comic sales have gone down across the board in the US. if this trend continues. it would be hard to tell if the comic industry can survive at making real comics. and the old ways will probably be gone. 
 
   So after a talk with Val Staples, he mentioned that their has to be a tie in to the actual comics or making it more appealing to pick it up over just having it over an iPad and or computer. and to which it is true. another talk with Joe Krolik who has been working in the comic store industry for about 30 years. he says the same thing that if you offer a digital version of a comic or story, you need to make the paper one more appealing or advertise for it. 
 
    What does the future hold for comics themselves as a paper back that you can hold in your hand? well for one it does not look good right now. as it is sales are slightly depressed now, mainly it can be caused by the recession that most of the world suffered through. but by numbers over the past decade, sales have been slightly going down over the years. If comics become digital and do not pick up new readers buying into paper comics, then those comics price will go up ten fold as they will not come out as periodicals but as collector magazines much like trade paperbacks. the expense will be much higher as there would not be a need to keep printing new comics each week. they will be much like a resin statue that you collect putting it in a display case just to showcase and never read.
 
     Never has the future of comics come to an uncertain crossroads. if fans want to be able to keep their favorite series on the shelf rather than on a SD card or memory stick. their has to be a change in 1) the way the industry conducts itself with pricing and distribution. 2) getting new readers into comics. comics are not just for kids, and with current series they are mainly not aimed at kids. 3) finding a way to promote classic paper comics as being more appealing than just having a comic on an iPad. if something of these steps are taken we might have a shot at protecting what we love.
 
     Though from what I've said and presented to you fans of comics do you think that the future of comics looks bleak at all? or do you think that comics can and will survive long enough for people to want to keep buying the classic paper versions? what do you think that you could suggest that could help the industry to be able to survive a digital age in the future?  would you be willing to see all your favorite titles taken off the shelf?