Long or short runs

[dude9876]

How long do you prefer comic book runs to be? For me the sweet spot is 3 or 4 years. For example morrisons runs on jla, Alan Moore swamp thing, walter simonson thor, frank miller or bendis on daredevil etc.
This is because i prefer definitive statements on characters rather then overly serialized runs.
I also prefer that the run has tight story structure with as few filler/maintenance issues as possible and it really bothers me if a writer overstays his welcome on a character and runs out of ideas.
What do you think?

 

[Babillygunn]

Totally depends on the writer, but I’m definitely more in favor of short runs of no more than a year.

 

[TienSwitch]

Longer runs. One of the strengths manga has over American comics is that it’s the product of a single creator’s artistic vision rather than a revolving door of writers changing characterization and reneging on priors’ developments. Even taking manga out of it, would Invincible have been as successful as it was if, instead of Robert Kirkman the whole way through, it was a group of new writers every 12 issues with their own ideas for where the story should go?

I know the original creators for most superheroes aren’t alive anymore, but I still think my point stands. I prefer one writer to develop a character and their story over a long period of time rather than a constant handoff. I think you’re more likely to break status quo and really develop an ongoing story that way.

 

[TienSwitch]

Totally depends on the writer, but I’m definitely more in favor of short runs of no more than a year.

Nothing to add, but just wanted to say I like your user name. The New Age Outlaws were on of my favorite tag teams back in the day, and I saw Billy Gunn wrestle at a small indie event about a decade ago.

 

[Vakanai]

Shorter runs. There's no local comic book shop near me, and funds are limited - so I can't really collect monthly floppies or follow long ongoings. My situation is better suited to just getting a trade paperback or graphic novel or whatever whenever I can. So the years' long continuity and storytelling just isn't going to cut it for me. I need one big good story I can read in a night.