Digital Comics as it Stands

So I probably owe some explanation as to why I've switched back to the old blog as opposed to the name based blog. I think I just liked my old blog better. I liked using blogger and not being nickel and dimed for every possible feature. I like keeping my web presence under the google banner. I missed the old name. The name may be a bit lame but if you've known me for any length of time, it is appropriate.

I've pretty much made the switch to digital comics from the floppies. I kept and will continu to purchase three old favorites in the floppy form Flash, Usagi Yojimbo, and Savage Sword of Conan. I still get way to many trades but I'm no longer weighed down by individual issues as I once was. Other than that I'll try my best to do digital as much as possible.

This shift in digital from floppies has also changed how I get the continuing series I do purchase. I've had to switch from DCBService.com to a brick and mortar outlet here in Woodbridge, VA. I've not really been a regular at a store for almost six years, and was surprised at the what I found. I hit my local store to see what I could do to secure my monthly books and just see what there was to see.

The place had plenty of product on the shelves but not much in the way of indy books or back issues. I expected to find a couple of Usagi Yojimbo issues I'd missed but the number of issues available was pretty slim and limited mostly to the big two's tights offerings with a smattering of others publishers. A metric ton of trades were available but due to the prices and no discount at all, they will be my third choice for trade purchases behind InStockTrades.com and Amazon. To start a subscription with them I got dinged for an immediate 10 bucks to "secure" my bag. If the location was not so optimal I would have balked at that.

When I frequented an LCS before my move to the DC Metro one of the main draws was the level of discourse about the industry and the products offered. I decided to test this and asked the clerk if the store had seen any decreases in business since the digital offerings went day and date. I got called bro about 30 times and received a profanity laced response and several shots at how digital offerings are crap and have no real value compared to a floppy. I didn't really want to respond with, hey digital is the reason I'm only going to be buying two issues of anything from you every month and I'm only getting those to satisfy my ever dwindling nostalgia for the floppies of my childhood. (Note: ** I never bought Flash or Usagi Yojimbo as a child; ever)

I think he missed the point completely about digital comics. Rare is the new issue that gains any real value. Most new issues go for far, far less than cover price on the secondary market just a few months after release. I made a tenth of my collections cover price "value" when I sold it all off recently. In short I've found my local shop but I'm not sure how much I'll really like it.

I'm really enjoying the new DCU on my iPad.

Here is how things shake out for my monthly digital intake

Gold Shirts

For Boom!
Incorruptible
Irredeemable

For DC
Action Comics
All Star Western
Batman
Bat Wing
Demon Knights
Stormwatch
Wonder Woman

For Red 5
Atomic Robo: Ghost of Station X

Blue Shirts

For DC
Animal Man
Aquaman
Batwoman
Captain Atom (artwork)
Catwoman
Frankenstien Agent Of Shade
I Vampire
Swampthing

In a Red Shirt and just sent down to a dangerous planet with a bunch of Blue and Gold Shirts
For DC
Detective
Grifter
Justice League
Justice League Dark
Men of War
Red Hood and the Outsiders

He's Dead Jim!
For DC
Bat Girl (Gone after two issues)
Voodoo (Gone after one issue)