Question about value

[zenitram]

What a better value, buying issues or a tbp that compiles them? How many issues are in a tpb anyways? Obviously I'm new to comics so the help is much appreciated.

[the-sword-is-drawn]

What a better value, buying issues or a tbp that compiles them? How many issues are in a tpb anyways? Obviously I'm new to comics so the help is much appreciated?

Well, I guess it really depends on what you term 'Value' as. Sure tpbs tend to be cheaper, for the number of issues they include, but there is no set number of issues they must include. That's going to vary, depending on what story is being collected.

There is something to be said for being able to read a whole storyline from start to finish in one go. However, reading in trade you do miss out on the buzz created while a story is ongoing - the online speculation and anticipation for example.

Plus you'll have to wait six odd months to read a story collected in trade, after the last issue of a storyline is put out.

These days I tend to have my pool of books I'm just too interested in not to read the monthly, and then a secondary pool of books I like, but am willing to wait for in trade. It's a balancing act, but it works for me.

[euchre0]

For straight monetary value, I haven't found too much of a difference between single issues and trades. A good bulk of trades are $14.99, many of which hold 5 issues that were originally 3 dollars. Vertigo and Image tend to release the first volumes of series at $9.99, which is a good deal. Sometimes the trades, like Invincible or Y: The Last Man are $12.99 and hold about 5 issues, so that is a 2 dollar difference. Powers tends to be a straight $21 bucks no matter how many issues because they pad it with "extra" stuff when there are small story archs.

It's a whole different game if you look for discounted trades online, in which case it is definitely cheaper to get trades. This is what I do for almost all trades, unless I am caught up on a series and REALLY want to get the next one when it coems out.

[neb]

What a better value, buying issues or a tbp that compiles them? How many issues are in a tpb anyways? Obviously I'm new to comics so the help is much appreciated?

Like the Sword is Drawn mentioned, it's about what you value. Many times, trades don't collect things like a "Letters" column, which is often one of my favorite things to read. Also, there will, at times, be fill-in issues, which some companies won't bother putting into a TPB.

From a money standpoint, trades are cheaper, but I spend that little extra to get the experience of going to the shop and all that noise.

I think the important thing is to find a nice balance. Put the stuff you can't wait to read in issue form and everything you can just get in trade.

Oh, and buy Scapled. :)

[zenitram]

Thanks for all the info; btw, what are good sites to buy cheap tbs from? And are Amazons prices fair?

[kahunablair]

I've used instocktrades.com, ebay.com, and Amazon.com. I've gotten deals on each site. Just shop around.

If you use Amazon, be sure to go through the iFanboy's link on their site.

[xyzzy]

Trades have another advantage in that you don't need to invest in any special storage system for them. They just go on the bookshelf.

As far as where to purchase, Amazon is great. They have good prices and a good selection. However, if you want to read books as soon as they come out, be aware that Amazon will lag behind comic retailers by a couple weeks.

The aforementioned instocktrades is a good site, but if you like indie stuff, their selection is pretty bad.

Personally, I order from their sister site DCBS, where everything is done through pre-order. Great pricing, you get it as soon as it comes out, and every trade listed in Previews is available. The downside is that you have to wait a few months after you place an order to receive the books.

[euchre0]

btw, what are good sites to buy cheap tbs from? And are Amazons prices fair?

If you use Amazon, I recommend looking at the used section for each book. Often you can find a trade for 5-7 dollars.

[mattk]

I'm pretty recent getting into comics and I only go with trades. When you are new there are so many stories already collected together that it makes a lot more sense. I've ordered from Amazon and instocktrades.com - i actually just got a shipment from them today. They average 30-35% off the cover price - pretty much the same as amazon and sometimes cheaper. I also check out e-bay, but only when looking for those nice hard covers. You can sometimes find great deals - i got Batman Long Halloween Absolute Ed. for $31 including shipping and it was still new.

Now that i've started reading in trade i don't think i'll ever venture to weekly as it's nice just to put these on a shelf and you are much more likely to come back to them and read them again that way. Seems like a better investment - if that makes sense...