Goin' Digital...

Yeah, this blog post might get me in trouble, cause its such a hot topic right now. But I have thought about it, and I have decided to go ALL DIGITAL on my monthly comics from now on.

Reasons why:

THE CONVENIENCE and TO SAVE MONEY. There are now day of releases on all comics. When I have to go get my comics, I have to get the whole family ready, drive across town to East Lansing, dodge about a 1,000 college students and potential car wrecks to do so. then I have to park in a lot that is at least .60¢ for the 10 minutes that I'd be there. Climb the stairs to the comic shop I go to. Grab an employee to get my box pulls and then purchase and leave. Get food for the family (usually FIVE GUYS, which is a BAD IDEA for someone trying to cut down on their bad food intake) and then drive home, spending a bunch of gas in the process. Up front, the digital comics are around the same price ($2.99). They fall to $1.99 the weeks after release. So if I can hold off, I can spend less on some series, if I like. so when I say SAVE MONEY, I mean the wear and tear on the car, the gas, the food and all that is tacked on with a trip to go get comics. Not the shops' fault, but the situation I live in.

I spent today going to the comic shop and seeing the process. It was exhausting. Then a few minutes ago, I curled up on the couch, opened up the Comixology app and purchased a few more comics and read them easily. Zoomed in on the art and enjoyed myself. So the difference in what I am trying to get out of the experience is what is the factor here.

I AM NOT A COLLECTOR. I used to be. I had 8 long boxes of bagged and boarded comics. I don't care about value really. I lug those things around from apartment to apartment and I probably haven't looked at them in years. Why do I keep them? What do I enjoy? TRADES! Graphic novels baby. Full runs I can read on the can and dog ear them, then return to the story later. Thats what I like. So I can never fully give up PRINTED comics. But monthly floppies? They are on the way out of my life. I stack the comics I buy and they just sit there. Until I upgrade to trades on them, and then I just give the floppies away to friends. Either way, I am spending the same amount. But I avoid the wear on the car, the gas, the food, the parking and the potential death to myself or hitting a college student walking on the MSU campus.

STORE DRAMAS. Now this doesn't so much apply for 21st Century Comics in East Lansing, Mi. The owner is a great guy and the employees for the most part I've never had a problem with. Good people there and its a great well rounded store. But in the past, I've gone to other stores that seem to be run by jaded, quiet people or just people who are so socially awkward that they do not know good salesmanship. Or know when to shut up. Or what to recommend to someone. Its a lost art. And then you got the gamers in the stores who look at the comic readers with a certain amount of judgement in their faces. Why? I don't know. But they are there and you are an interloper in their space cause you came in to get the newest Invincible comic. There's more but I don't want to get into it.

There's been talk for the last couple years of how print is dying and digital is gonna win. Yeah, it is inevitable it seems. My generation is going to have the hardest time with that. The bots will not have that. He will likely start 1st Grade needing an Ipad and what not. So he can get comics any time he wants them. The art of the look, the thrill of the hunt will be forever lost. And you know, I'm slowly coming to terms with that. I like it. I went all digital on my music last year and I don't miss it at all. Sure I get the urge to go buy a CD now and then. But when I do, I feel stupid when I get it home. Why did I need this? I can just get it on Itunes, read the lyrics online, etc. The artwork, yeah. But I mean, artwork on albums is a lost art anymore. Hell, ALBUMS are a lost art anymore!!! So why bother with it? Times are a'changin, so why not roll with it?

However, I do feel some guilt. Cause comic shops are a place of nostalgia and I am not about to help run someone into the ground and to the unemployment line. So I suggest a happy medium. I'll get the monthly comics DIGITALLY, and then reserve comic shops for trades, games, toys, etc. That way everyone be happy. Yes? Its still a hit, but I am not about to help contribute MAJORLY to the comic shop's downfall. They've supported me by hosting my books for sales and my signings, and I am not gonna abandon them. but for monthlies, I am rocking digital. I bought my last physical INVINCIBLE today. I will finish off floppy copies of THE BOYS and STAR TREK, but once those series are over (this year), I am done with monthlies in that form. Going digital then buying my trades there. Plus, I am gonna get hardcover trades from now on. More cool stuff in a nice bound format that will last and I don't mind taking into the can. Plus the bots can read them one day. I like it.

Comixology is so cool. I can buy the latest Batman, or the ones from the 40s. Its just a cool idea. Hard to not enjoy. Plus I wager I'll be buying MORE comics. Cause I am constantly thinking "oh, I like that guy's art. I might get his book if I remember it next time I am at the shop." I never remember. Or if I do, the book is so under ordered, its not stocked. So this way, I will ensure I get it. and TEN SECONDS AFTER I WANT IT!!!! Thats the main thing right there. Its 2012. Get the net.

So I am sorry if anyone takes offense to my thoughts here. But I am just simply stating that for now, I am embracing the concept of digital monthlies. Trades, I'll NEVER give up on. Shops, I'm still gonna go in ya. You can't keep me away. But for a routine daily, I'm going all Tron, n'shit.

Cheers T