DCP how badly is it hurting the industry?

[Bubonic]

Digital Comic Preservation... It sounds more noble then it is.

Is it quantifiable to know how big a blow this has created?

I'll admit right now that I do download the first in a new series, like Guardian of the Galaxies, to see if I have any interest whatsoever in it, and if that ends up being the case I DO BUY the comic in question.

Anyways, I can imagine this hurting the independent titles the most since they hardly have a leg to stand on to begin with.

What are your thoughts on DCP, and what do you know of its effects on the comic industry.

 

[Danalys]

i figure if it is detremental spreading knowledge of it would increase it's detremental effects.

in some ways i think this is much like the effect mp3s had on the music industry. it could lead to an icomics so to speak.

 

[Anubis]

Eh.

 

[DBM]

I seriously doubt that its hurting the industry at all. In the last few years, I've bought more TPBs, back issues, and new series because I first read them from online than I ever would have if they hadn't been available through DCP and others like them.

And as too independents series, I'm sure they're not hurting. In fact, the indie creators and publishers actual put some of their stuff online through bittorent sites to spread knowledge about their series. I've bought a ton of independent collections and TPBs due to DCP and other as well.

 

[fifthfiend]

For a while I tried downloading all my comics, until I realized trying to read all your comics on a laptop monitor is like having your eyeballs ****ed inside-out. Barring dramatic improvements in monitor technology I think eyestrain serves as a practical limit on how much one can use downloads to make up gaps in their comics budget. As it stands my own use goes something like, anything I would have picked up just to try or flipped through in the store goes on the downloads list, whereas basically anything I can reasonably expect that I'll read more than once goes onto the to-buy list.

I do use downloads for purposes of back-issue binges so I'm probably depriving publishers of money I would otherwise spend on, say, Deadpool trades.

 

[Ikaris-Eternal]

there are series that i now buy regularly because i could give them a shot via DCP. DCP may hurt sales in the short run, but as more people are exposed to comics through downloading online, interest and sales will be directly affected.

 

[Norman Osborn]

I bought the 40 years Amazing Spider-man disc some time ago and as much as I enjoyed catching up with Spidey, I found reading off a computer screen about as much fun as the clap (I'm guessing)

You can burn your music to a cd and it's every bit as convenient as the real deal you find at the store (not that I'm advocating it)...but until someone comes up with a cost effective way to transfer their digital comics to the tangible reading material we get at the comic book shop, I cannot fathom DCP's having that great a negative effect on the industry as a whole....but I could be wrong....wouldn't be the first time....wouldn't be the first time today!!

 

[Sandman138]

Anyways, I can imagine this hurting the independent titles the most since they hardly have a leg to stand on to begin with.

The interesting thing is that there are hardly any indie titles up on the torrents. Try to find Laika, Exit Wounds, the newest ACME Novelty Library or any of the other big indie titles to come out in the past two years online. It is pretty much impossible.

 

[Joker]

Hell, it's still hard to find alot of non-indy stuff. And yeah, indy stuff is next to impossible to find. I can't even find the original TMNT series up anywhere. You'd think SOMEONE would have put it up, but no.

 

[Sandman138]

I'm happy about that. It means I can save my money for the indie titles and the rare mainstream comics that are worth buying.

 

[Joker]

The only stuff I download is either stuff that would be expensive to blind buy, and stuff that's not in print. TMNT is one of the latter. And it pisses me off that it's not in print or online. If they just came out with a tpb of the first series, I'd buy it instantly. But apparently, they hate money over at Mirage.

 

[fifthfiend]

Hell, it's still hard to find alot of non-indy stuff. And yeah, indy stuff is next to impossible to find. I can't even find the original TMNT series up anywhere. You'd think SOMEONE would have put it up, but no.

Oh man, I have a couple trades of that too. I should totally scan them and be a Hero of the Internet.

Probably not, though.

 

[Danalys]

I bought the 40 years Amazing Spider-man disc some time ago and as much as I enjoyed catching up with Spidey, I found reading off a computer screen about as much fun as the clap (I'm guessing)

problem with that is it came on cds rather than a dvd, used crappy pdf format and the scans weren't very good quality. as for displays things could change in that area with things like digital paper, perhaps tablet pcs will take off eventually when they are as light as a book, high enough resolution and cheap enough.

 

[iloveclones]

I think it's probably helping, rather than hurting the industry. Comics can be an expensive habit, and trying ones for free is a much better entry point for those always-sought-after youngsters. Eventually, they'll buy.

 

[Bubonic]

For a while I tried downloading all my comics, until I realized trying to read all your comics on a laptop monitor is like having your eyeballs ****ed inside-out. Barring dramatic improvements in monitor technology I think eyestrain serves as a practical limit on how much one can use downloads to make up gaps in their comics budget. As it stands my own use goes something like, anything I would have picked up just to try or flipped through in the store goes on the downloads list, whereas basically anything I can reasonably expect that I'll read more than once goes onto the to-buy list.

I do use downloads for purposes of back-issue binges so I'm probably depriving publishers of money I would otherwise spend on, say, Deadpool trades.

Definitely is detrimental to your eyesight, specially with a monitor like mine, where I can basically see the refresh rate if I pay close enough attention to it!

I have downloaded some really old back issues, but as Norman Osborn says, reading comic after comic on your pc loses its charm real fast... I don't have a laptop, so I couldn't conveniently bring the comics with me or anything like that.

I seriously doubt that its hurting the industry at all. In the last few years, I've bought more TPBs, back issues, and new series because I first read them from online than I ever would have if they hadn't been available through DCP and others like them.

Me too, if it wasn't for DCP I wouldn't of given Moon Knight a chance, or the Namor mini, or even the Thor series and much much more I've ended up spending on as a direct result of being able to sample the goods.

i figure if it is detremental spreading knowledge of it would increase it's detremental effects.

in some ways i think this is much like the effect mp3s had on the music industry. it could lead to an icomics so to speak.

Well, there sort of is an icomics sort of movement taking place at Marvel with their pay per month digital comic thing.
Plus I'm not sure it is fair to use mp3's as an example, I figure the music industry is much wealthier then the comic industry, but also, mp3 downloading is much more rampant then comic downloading.

I think it's probably helping, rather than hurting the industry. Comics can be an expensive habit, and trying ones for free is a much better entry point for those always-sought-after youngsters. Eventually, they'll buy.

Worked for me, I'm on a pretty restrictive budget, but I love comics. A lot of stuff comes out ever month, thousands of dollars worth of comics I bet, and I also can rest assured that a lot of it is probably crap. Sampling allows me to avoid stinkers.

 

[Danalys]

Well, there sort of is an icomics sort of movement taking place at Marvel with their pay per month digital comic thing.
Plus I'm not sure it is fair to use mp3's as an example, I figure the music industry is much wealthier then the comic industry, but also, mp3 downloading is much more rampant then comic downloading.

yeah but alot of the arguements would be the same. i'd never have bought this album/comic if i hadn't downloaded it and gave it a try etc. and it works on the it's a lesser quality yet easier to store/organise version of the original level.

 

[Harlekin]

There is a torrent of the original TMNT series, but it's damn hard to find.

 

[iloveclones]

Just to give a warning, guys. I don't think they mind us talking about comic downloads, but don't be tempted to give out sites. That's definately frowned upon by SHH.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

There is a torrent of the original TMNT series, but it's damn hard to find.

My library's got a trade of the original TMNT Mirage run.

I think DCP helps. I try to buy everything I read, but there are some comics that are just too costly for me, and I don't want to get them in Essentials or Showcases because I like color art. Downloadable comics come in handy for that.

That said, I wouldn't mind a system like what Marvel's got in place with their digital comics subscription. The only problems with Marvel's current system are that you have to subscribe for a long-term period, whereas I tend to only want to read a few old comics at any given time, and their selection is, in a word, crap. I seriously considered signing up just last night because I wanted to read more of the Stern/Buscema Avengers run after buying the Under Siege TPB, but of course Marvel's service didn't have those issues. So, in like a year or two, after Marvel's selection has had time to grow, I could see it being a decent, legal alternative to torrents.

 

[Darthphere]

DCP has helped me get into so many comics, it isn't funny. It helped me get into Gotham Central. Reading the first 6 issues made me go and track down all the back issues, including the first six. I bought the Alias omnibus because I read it first on DCP. I bought the Eternals hardcover of the Kirby stuff based on some stories I read on DCP. So in essence, DCP is a great tool for previewing comics. As long as you buy what you like.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Yeah, DCP had a big hand in making me as fanatical about Thor as I am now. I would never have been able to familiarize myself with Thor's really early issues if not for that and my library's Marvel Masterpieces collections.

 

[iloveclones]

That said, I wouldn't mind a system like what Marvel's got in place with their digital comics subscription. The only problems with Marvel's current system are that you have to subscribe for a long-term period, whereas I tend to only want to read a few old comics at any given time, and their selection is, in a word, crap. I seriously considered signing up just last night because I wanted to read more of the Stern/Buscema Avengers run after buying the Under Siege TPB, but of course Marvel's service didn't have those issues. So, in like a year or two, after Marvel's selection has had time to grow, I could see it being a decent, legal alternative to torrents.

I think Marvel is headed in the right direction. I have a few problems in that comics are cut off on the bottom, and I would like to be able to download, but I understand why they don't want you to. I think the price is very reasonable, moreso with each issue added. I'm tempted to sign up even with the problems. They just need to keep tweaking it. I think their Smart Panels (is that what it's called) is another step in the right direction that they should keep tweaking. And there are "feeder titles" that should always remain free without subbing, such as the Marvel Adventure lines. I also think they could incentivize people to subscribe to actual comics by offering a free online subscription if you subscribe to 5 or more of their titles.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I agree. It's a good service, even though I was initially displeased about not being able to download. But so long as they treat it as a digital archive of all their comics and don't ditch some comics as others are added, I think it could become something really worthwhile. Their lack of selection is the main thing keeping it from being worthwhile to me right now. Whenever I search for specific issues I want, about 80% of the time, it's not in there yet.

 

[DoomJester]

DCP has helped me get into comics. I mean, some things are so hard to find that you wouldn't buy them anyways... I am still at the shop for all my currents and I try to buy what I can, so I feel like I've found a balance. I mean, if I download Batman, I also have the issue and just want an archive. I've never DCP'd currents that I read. I eagerly wait to go pick up my books at the shop. I talk to the workers there too.

Also, the way comics work, Marvel counts its sales as what the shop buys... and shops well... they probably make most of their money on the weeklies, well, I don't know, but my point is that Marvel doesn't really care if you don't pick up a back-issue. Your local shop will care, but I do buy back issues unless they are priced outrageously high... in that sense, the shops could price better.

Also, reading on a monitor is hard! I like DCP just cause I feel like it really forced Marvel to do this online thing. Which is good. I may just use Marvel's service.

 

[iloveclones]

Wouldn't it be awesome if there were a color viewer (similar to the Kindle they keep pushing on Amazon) for comics. Marvel should really partner up with someone and see if they can develop something that will incorporate their Smart Panel technology.