Which do you prefer, Single issues or trades/hardcovers

[Max J Power]

Trades, because they're more economic. I only collect single issues of a few books that I don't want to wait to read. But if I could but more single issues every month, I would.

 

[Arkady Rossovich]

Before I used to buy comics. Now with quality so low,I haven't bought a new comic in a long time. Mainly paperbacks of older comic runs,from DC and Marvel.

 

[El Bastardo]

I buy issues because I consider them the way comics were meant to be read. Comics are periodicals on a monthly schedule and, in my opinion, should be read thus. If creators are "writing for the trade," they should just be writing graphic novels. I'd gladly follow American OGNs volume-to-volume, the same way manga fans follow manga.

I concur, good sir! (And rhyme.)

It's what I was going to say, pretty much - in addition to supporting the business end of the medium, as far as store-owners goes.

 

[Themanofbat]

I buy mostly single issues... it's the way I've ben doing it since 1975...

Though there are a few Vertigo titles I get in Trade format only, and I get Rex Mundi & Buffy & Angel in both singles & trades.

 

[Finlandman]

It's not much of a option here. Only superhero-comic what's published here monthly is Spider-man. So, I buy it, and that's that...But if something is big event, very good run or a classic, I order hardcover/collection via net.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I concur, good sir! (And rhyme.)

It's what I was going to say, pretty much - in addition to supporting the business end of the medium, as far as store-owners goes.

Yeah, that too. I'm pretty terrified of the comic medium dying and being replaced with a trade-only market. I know that just my money alone isn't going to stop that, but I figure enough drops in the bucket make an ocean.

 

[UK_Stu]

My head says trades; cheaper, compact, no ads. But the heart is impatient, so I keep getting the single issues.

Of course, the entire industry relies on impatient fans, and part of me wonders if a day will come when the majority begins to "wait for the trade". I think that already is happening on many books below the Top 40 or so, which can explain how sales for many of the B and C level books dive so quickly.

I'm with you here Dread. Currently I buy both, about 12-15 titles a month and TPBs as and when I want to read a story - normally ones that aren't covered in my monthlies. I've found I'm not buying many back issues these days - only TPBs

 

[MyPokerShirt]

Download then buy the trades.

When I got back in to comics I didn't understand the trade thing and didn't like them. Ah, to be young and have money. Consequently I have the Powers hardcover and then every single issue after is in comic format, with a few recent ones missing (I think I've gotten a bit behind now). I don't know what to do. If I could get a good price for them I'd trade them all in for trades (no pun intended). Same for Mark Millar's Wanted. I'd love to have it in trade but have it in comic form so what's the point??

 

[GNR]

Both.

I enjoy monthlies and trades.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Download then buy the trades.

When I got back in to comics I didn't understand the trade thing and didn't like them. Ah, to be young and have money. Consequently I have the Powers hardcover and then every single issue after is in comic format, with a few recent ones missing (I think I've gotten a bit behind now). I don't know what to do. If I could get a good price for them I'd trade them all in for trades (no pun intended). Same for Mark Millar's Wanted. I'd love to have it in trade but have it in comic form so what's the point??

If you really want trades, sell the issues on eBay and buy them with the profits.

 

[SuperMonkey]

I'll buy the TPBs for recent stuff, but for 80's on back, I like the single issues. Not sure why.

 

[elswick1979]

Marvel/DC I go for single issues, same with TV spinoffs (i.e. Buffy, Angel, Gargoyles, etc). However, for Wildstorm, Star Wars, Vertigo, etc I go with the trades.

 

[Go God Go!]

I'm trying to switch to trades just cause they're cheaper and more durable, but it's really hard to quit buying singles - they are what comics are all about, afterall. I'll probably always buy some singles.

 

[Addendum]

I lost interest in buying individual issues in my college years. As much as I like the local comic shop in my town, I don't have the mindset to stop in every single month to pick up the issues or memorize what series come out each week. I also enjoy sitting down in my recliner with a beverage (be it pop or beer) and reading a book. The book can be a book book or a graphic novel or trade. It's just easier for multiple reads than individual issues.

 

[Go God Go!]

I lost interest in buying individual issues in my college years. As much as I like the local comic shop in my town, I don't have the mindset to stop in every single month to pick up the issues or memorize what series come out each week. I also enjoy sitting down in my recliner with a beverage (be it pop or beer) and reading a book. The book can be a book book or a graphic novel or trade. It's just easier for multiple reads than individual issues.

Having a pull list would eliminate 90% of that problem.

 

[Addendum]

It would eliminate the problems regarding the comic shop. It wouldn't eliminate the ease of reading trades