Comics: Recession Proof?

[racemccloud]

So, the economy is pretty much crap. If we didn't realize it before, last week confirmed it. I've been pinching pennies, as have most people, and part of that has been really cutting down on my comics. I used to use the "10 book" rule of thumb when going to the store on Wednesday; that is, I never wanted to buy more than ten books a week. Now, that has been cut down to the "5 book" rule. I've instituted a fairly strict "No Minis" rule (with S.I. and Ultimate Origin being the only exceptions), and I'm just saying "No" to weeklies. (Which hurts, because I've really been enjoying "Trinity" and "ASM"; hopefully I'll get them in trades later on.) I'm keeping a list of the books that I'm not letting myself buy from week to week, and on light weeks, I go back and get one or two of the books I skipped earlier in the month.

The one thing I'll say is that this has really cut down on the books I was only moderately enjoying, but it also leads to making some tough decisions, like skipping "Powers #30" this week. Truth be told, there are about five other books coming out this week that I care more about (USM, FF, Cap Amer, New Avengers, Nova) and the $3.95 price tag is just a bit too much for me right now on a book I'm not dying to get.

Anyone else facing similar economy related cutbacks?

[bigshotprof]

I cut back a long time ago. In man cases, I wait for the trades--which among other things denies me access to things like iFanboy, because they aren't spoiler-proof (and shouldn't be by the way). I think in the long run, the way to make comics recession-proof is with online subscriptions (Like Marvels). 15 bucks is fifteen bucks. it almost becomes invisible.

[racemccloud]

I cut back a long time ago. In man cases, I wait for the trades--which among other things denies me access to things like iFanboy, because they aren't spoiler-proof (and shouldn't be by the way). I think in the long run, the way to make comics recession-proof is with online subscriptions (Like Marvels). 15 bucks is fifteen bucks. it almost becomes invisible.

You know, I've looked at online subscriptions. Most of the online retailers don't have the weekly system down yet, or the discounts aren't worth the hassle, and the one thing I worry about with the publisher subscriptions is getting locked into a book for a year, where if the book starts to suck you can't just drop it. Also, my apartment has the worst mailboxes ever, and my books would just get destroyed.

[scherem]

When it comes down to groceries vs. comics, comics always win.

But back on topic, the current American climate has personally been a good thing for me. Being in Canada, many stores are now selling comics at US cover price (which is on average a dollar off). When I was in high school, and of a tighter budget, I was spending upward of $5.00 per issue.

During this time, I found going to use book stores a good send. Some stores would regularly have books that were a few months old in their bins for $1 or less. This was how I read Astro City Vol 1, issues 1 to 6 and the first three issues of volume 2.

[cam-]

I do find myself putting more and more back on the shelf at the store these days. Last week for example I skipped Titans (which is probably for the best) and a couple weeks earlier I didn't purchase Teen Titans and so won't again this week.

I don't know if that's because of the economy as much as it's a necessary purge I need to do every half year or so. A re-evaluation of the books I'm getting, a trimming of fat to make room for the next Scalped or Fear Agent.

Still Powers is awesome you shouldn't drop it. ;)

[joncrites]

When it comes down to groceries vs. comics, comics always win.

But back on topic, the current American climate has personally been a good thing for me. Being in Canada, many stores are now selling comics at US cover price (which is on average a dollar off). When I was in high school, and of a tighter budget, I was spending upward of $5.00 per issue.

During this time, I found going to use book stores a good send. Some stores would regularly have books that were a few months old in their bins for $1 or less. This was how I read Astro City Vol 1, issues 1 to 6 and the first three issues of volume 2.

I have been singing the praises of the used book store since I joined the boards. I have picked up a ton of trades in great condition at a minimum of 50% off the cover price and sometimes even more.
Also, if you are diligent on eBay you can pick up certain storylines or creative runs in back issue for way cheaper than cover. These have become my preferred way to shop now. Only every once in a while will I have to splurge to get something new like an Omnibus or Absolute that will eventually be OOP.

[optimus187prime]

I have definitely cut back. Mainly just finishing arcs and minis before going only to trade.

[davegraham]

My cutting back this year has had little to do with the Recession. I had to quit my full time job at the beginning of the year to student teach, which paid no money. I've been buying my tentpole Marvel comics (Avengers, Nova, Captain America, etc.) as well as trying new things (Captain Britain).

Supposedly, people lean more on their comforts during hard economic times. I spent the summer scooping ice cream part time (as I have for the past ten years now) and good Lord were we busy this year. Probably the most busy we've been in all ten years the place (http://klavonsicecream.com/) has been open.

I may have gotten a full time teaching job this week and just at the right time too, because my stack of unread trades is down to the Powers hardcover. Once I get a paycheck I am looking to spoil myself with the first volume of Essential Avengers.

[deadspace]

I have definitely cut back. Mainly just finishing arcs and minis before going only to trade.

I'm currently doing that too, but I think there are going to be some that I just have to stick to singles with. I'll see how it goes..

[jonathand-gordon]

I too have cut down to just a select few books a week and things like Action Comics I will read in trade. I would never go the illegal download route but seeing friends who have, I wish the big two could get together faster on an itunes like encoded .pdf weekly comic service that cut out the cost of the paper and cut out the distributor middleman. I know a lot of people say they will never read comics on their cpu. I would.

Imagine if you could open Itunes and get a high quality .pdf of your favorite comic for 1.99 could be less but lets get real they will charge us 2$. That would likely double my comics bought a week and like music lead me to in the middle off the night with no restraint buy something I will only read once.

I think DC and Marvel would win and we would pay less for essentially the same thing.

[owlboy]

Maybe we're all just addicts?

[zombox]

Only two things are recession proof: food and mortuaries. Everything else goes away if it gets bad enough. Let's hope it doesn't go that far.

[nstorts]

I am just getting back into comics and I just got a promotion, so my purchases have increased the last few months. Been buying trades mostly to get caught up on things. I guess I am one of the lucky ones. To bad I know it won't last.

[deadspace]

Imagine if you could open Itunes and get a high quality .pdf of your favorite comic for 1.99 could be less but lets get real they will charge us 2$. That would likely double my comics bought a week and like music lead me to in the middle off the night with no restraint buy something I will only read once.


I'm interested in seeing how FreakAngels (by Warren Ellis) sells in TPBs and HCs in a couple of months. It's free to read online... how many people are still gonna buy it? I would guess still quite a few, and I'm one of them. I'm goin the whole way with the limited signed hardcover :o. But it'll be interesting to see how it works out. It might be that comics in the future will be offered online for free like FreakAngels, then if you want your own digital copy you pay $whatever, and then collections of the webcomics will be published as usual in trades and hardcovers. I'd be really happy with that model.

[cenquist]

I will be picking up the HC of FreakAngels for sure.