Comments on: Is this the future? http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/ The News Blog of Comics Culture Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:27:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Video Watermark http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-2012344 Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:32:56 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-2012344 I\'m really please i found this site today. I learned a lot reading topic in here. Thank you to making available to world this great site. I will make sure yi visit it everyday. I\’m really please i found this site today. I learned a lot reading topic in here. Thank you to making available to world this great site. I will make sure yi visit it everyday.

]]> by: Bill http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-352528 Thu, 23 Aug 2007 05:34:50 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-352528 <strong>Bill...</strong> awesome blog keep updating and you will see us comming back and back.... Bill…

awesome blog keep updating and you will see us comming back and back….

]]> by: Greg Carter http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-127676 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 23:16:04 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-127676 I think small-to-medium-size indie comic publishers may give up "pamphlets" fairly soon. I agree with Jennifer that the superhero comic will stick around in that format for a while. I'm seeing a lot more self-published comic books of the fold and staple variety than I have in a long time. Printing on demand from places like Ka-Blam have made it cost effective for a creator, or especially a small collective, to print this format. But the economy of scale for publishers of SLGs size, does make it reasonable that they would move to GNs only. I wonder how Love the Way You Love did from Oni? I thought that was perfect for a mini-series. I love the digest size. At any length. I think small-to-medium-size indie comic publishers may give up “pamphlets” fairly soon. I agree with Jennifer that the superhero comic will stick around in that format for a while. I’m seeing a lot more self-published comic books of the fold and staple variety than I have in a long time. Printing on demand from places like Ka-Blam have made it cost effective for a creator, or especially a small collective, to print this format.

But the economy of scale for publishers of SLGs size, does make it reasonable that they would move to GNs only.

I wonder how Love the Way You Love did from Oni? I thought that was perfect for a mini-series. I love the digest size. At any length.

]]> by: Jamie Coville http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-125384 Fri, 13 Apr 2007 10:36:30 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-125384 I suspect the digital comics are helping the graphic novel market. Some people are fine with reading a 22 page book once a month (or whatever) on screen, but if they decide they want to re-read the entire story line (or a trip or on a comfy couch), we'll that's a bit much and they buy the TPB. I suspect the digital comics are helping the graphic novel market. Some people are fine with reading a 22 page book once a month (or whatever) on screen, but if they decide they want to re-read the entire story line (or a trip or on a comfy couch), we’ll that’s a bit much and they buy the TPB.

]]> by: witz.org http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-125165 Fri, 13 Apr 2007 02:21:18 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-125165 Nice to see my IM put to good use! Nice to see my IM put to good use!

]]> by: Jennifer de Guzman http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124986 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 20:55:41 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124986 I think as far as indie pamphlet-format comics go, there will be either a switch to digital or no comics in that format at all. It just doesn't make sense for us to publish individual print issues anymore. There's just not enough demand in the direct market. You can see the trend toward web comics with the self-publishers with the collectives that have been forming. Print superhero comics in pamphlet form will stick around longer, I'm sure. But otherwise, I think those publishers not in the superhero niche will continue the trend toward graphic novels, with digital installments or digital versions of those graphic novels an additional format. And the gift cards... that's something we've put on the list to explore. I think as far as indie pamphlet-format comics go, there will be either a switch to digital or no comics in that format at all. It just doesn’t make sense for us to publish individual print issues anymore. There’s just not enough demand in the direct market. You can see the trend toward web comics with the self-publishers with the collectives that have been forming.

Print superhero comics in pamphlet form will stick around longer, I’m sure. But otherwise, I think those publishers not in the superhero niche will continue the trend toward graphic novels, with digital installments or digital versions of those graphic novels an additional format.

And the gift cards… that’s something we’ve put on the list to explore.

]]> by: Simon http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124969 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 20:37:25 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124969 One thing that isn't mentioned often is the potential growth in comic sales due to digital comics simply making comics accessible to people, in conjunction with the addictive quality of good writing. The music industry today is focused on singles and hits, as it seems album sales are declining. If you like an artist, you'll probably only purchase a couple of songs, rather than a couple of albums. In contrast, for the comic industry, it's not about a single great 'issue' but about the 'story'. Once a reader is hooked on a series/character/story, you have a customer for life (unless it goes completely pear-shaped). Every issue, good or bad, is intrinsic to the continuing story. Not a bad business model... Digital comics are incredibly popular and if artists, writers and indie publishers work together, it's possible to build an equitable future for all parties, ensuring a diverse range of material gets published. :-) One thing that isn’t mentioned often is the potential growth in comic sales due to digital comics simply making comics accessible to people, in conjunction with the addictive quality of good writing. The music industry today is focused on singles and hits, as it seems album sales are declining. If you like an artist, you’ll probably only purchase a couple of songs, rather than a couple of albums. In contrast, for the comic industry, it’s not about a single great ‘issue’ but about the ’story’. Once a reader is hooked on a series/character/story, you have a customer for life (unless it goes completely pear-shaped). Every issue, good or bad, is intrinsic to the continuing story. Not a bad business model…

Digital comics are incredibly popular and if artists, writers and indie publishers work together, it’s possible to build an equitable future for all parties, ensuring a diverse range of material gets published. :-)

]]> by: Tim at More Fun Comics http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124958 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 20:22:22 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124958 Heidi: Five years? You're on. I'll see you at San Diego in 2012, and when my stores are still up and running, you owe me a drink. If I'm closed, I owe you one. The delivery systems will evolve, but the paper comic disappearing? No way. What I see happening is similar to the music industry. There will be multiple avenues of comics access, but there will be demand for all of them. The DM in particular has an advantage due to its size, it can easily shift gears accordingly to stock what people want. The music mega chains are stumbling because of their inability to adjust. In five years, if publishers are smart, I see myself selling iComics gift cards for people to go download comics. Right on the shelf next to copies of Y the Last Man TPs. Heidi:
Five years? You’re on. I’ll see you at San Diego in 2012, and when my stores are still up and running, you owe me a drink. If I’m closed, I owe you one.

The delivery systems will evolve, but the paper comic disappearing? No way. What I see happening is similar to the music industry. There will be multiple avenues of comics access, but there will be demand for all of them. The DM in particular has an advantage due to its size, it can easily shift gears accordingly to stock what people want. The music mega chains are stumbling because of their inability to adjust. In five years, if publishers are smart, I see myself selling iComics gift cards for people to go download comics. Right on the shelf next to copies of Y the Last Man TPs.

]]> by: CapVsBats http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124948 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 20:09:54 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124948 Heidi! I understand your distaste for reading a vertical comic on a horizontal screen, but here are digital comics formatted PERFECTLY for the monitor: http://www.FlashBackUniverse.com Free Downloadable Digital Comics - Check them out! :) Heidi! I understand your distaste for reading a vertical comic on a horizontal screen, but here are digital comics formatted PERFECTLY for the monitor: http://www.FlashBackUniverse.com

Free Downloadable Digital Comics - Check them out! :)

]]> by: The Beat http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124937 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 19:52:16 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124937 Tim: Just to clarify, I don't think downloading will kill comics. That is not possible. If they survived the 90s they will survive anything. Downloading might kill PAPER comics, or hurt them, or wound them, or dent them or something. In five years, the delivery system for comics will look nothing like it does today. There will, however, continue to be great comics for whatever the system it. Tim:

Just to clarify, I don’t think downloading will kill comics. That is not possible. If they survived the 90s they will survive anything.

Downloading might kill PAPER comics, or hurt them, or wound them, or dent them or something. In five years, the delivery system for comics will look nothing like it does today.

There will, however, continue to be great comics for whatever the system it.

]]> by: Rodney wall http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124908 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 19:13:50 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124908 I think the future of downloadable comics is Electronic Paper. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Paper And I'm with Tim on the "Downloading is killing fill in the blank" debate. I think the future of downloadable comics is Electronic Paper.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Paper

And I’m with Tim on the “Downloading is killing fill in the blank” debate.

]]> by: w w w . h e c t o r l i m a . c o m :: ComicBookLover Overview :: April :: 2007 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124891 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 18:44:28 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124891 [...] só pra Mac. via Heidi Mac. [...] […] só pra Mac. via Heidi Mac. […]

]]> by: Tim at More Fun Comics http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124882 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 18:19:55 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124882 All this talk of downloading killing comics, blah blah blah. Heidi I've been reading you online for years. I know you're not stupid. Comics circulation has done nothing but improve for the last four ot five years running, and you're trying to tell me downloading will kill comics? If killing comics is growth for several consecutive growth, then I'm all for shooting them square in the head. The changes in the music industry are not just because of downloads. The splintering of the audience causing there to be no more mega-selling artists, and the advent of the MP3 making it so people don't have to buy the same thing for every new format are probably bigger contributors than illegal downloads. The mega music chains created an infrastructure designed to deliver Beatles and Elvis recordings to the audience whenever a new format came out (LP, 8-Track, Cassette, CD, Mini-Disc, etc etc) When those streams suddenly started running dry because people are now able to store and play digitally, the mega chains faltered. Yet lots of independent stores that are able to stock a wider breadth of unique product more effectively than a mega chain are enjoying success. The doomsaying here really frustrates me sometimes. All this talk of downloading killing comics, blah blah blah.
Heidi I’ve been reading you online for years. I know you’re not stupid. Comics circulation has done nothing but improve for the last four ot five years running, and you’re trying to tell me downloading will kill comics? If killing comics is growth for several consecutive growth, then I’m all for shooting them square in the head.

The changes in the music industry are not just because of downloads. The splintering of the audience causing there to be no more mega-selling artists, and the advent of the MP3 making it so people don’t have to buy the same thing for every new format are probably bigger contributors than illegal downloads. The mega music chains created an infrastructure designed to deliver Beatles and Elvis recordings to the audience whenever a new format came out (LP, 8-Track, Cassette, CD, Mini-Disc, etc etc) When those streams suddenly started running dry because people are now able to store and play digitally, the mega chains faltered. Yet lots of independent stores that are able to stock a wider breadth of unique product more effectively than a mega chain are enjoying success.

The doomsaying here really frustrates me sometimes.

]]> by: Jennifer de Guzman http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124866 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 17:59:22 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124866 Yep, I hate the scrolling, too. Tablet PCs are certainly the way to go for reading books, but I don't want to use a tablet PC for anything else... so, seems like more gadgetry that wouldn't be much of a multi-tasker for me. ComicsLover is a great program, though I think it is too pricey. With the trial version, you get a very large watermark that can cover an entire panel. It does have a great organization interface, just like iTunes. Yep, I hate the scrolling, too. Tablet PCs are certainly the way to go for reading books, but I don’t want to use a tablet PC for anything else… so, seems like more gadgetry that wouldn’t be much of a multi-tasker for me.

ComicsLover is a great program, though I think it is too pricey. With the trial version, you get a very large watermark that can cover an entire panel. It does have a great organization interface, just like iTunes.

]]> by: Augie De Blieck Jr. http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124846 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 17:32:21 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124846 My biggest problem with reading comics is the scrolling you need to do. If I could just stand my monitor up on its side, it would be taller than wide and much easier to read comics with. That, and the occasional double page splash, are the trouble spots of reading traditional comics on-line. Forgot worrying about right page/left page separation for the trades - eliminate double page splashes now so that comics are easier to read on-line in the future! My biggest problem with reading comics is the scrolling you need to do. If I could just stand my monitor up on its side, it would be taller than wide and much easier to read comics with.

That, and the occasional double page splash, are the trouble spots of reading traditional comics on-line. Forgot worrying about right page/left page separation for the trades - eliminate double page splashes now so that comics are easier to read on-line in the future!

]]> by: Cubicle Captive http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124821 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 17:03:12 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124821 Looks like it's just for MAC users. Meh. Looks like it’s just for MAC users.

Meh.

]]> by: Rob Salkowitz http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124723 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 15:00:22 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/04/12/is-this-the-future/#comment-124723 Digital comics are the killer ap for TabletPCs (the lightweight notebooks with the screens that flip around and pivot 90 degrees). My ViewSonic tablet weighs about the same as a DC Archive Edution, is just the right size to present a single comic book page in full screen - and you can read it on the couch, the subway or wherever. I'm surprised (well, not really...) that a comic publisher and TabletPC maker haven't formed some kind of deal to provide exclusive content. Digital comics are the killer ap for TabletPCs (the lightweight notebooks with the screens that flip around and pivot 90 degrees). My ViewSonic tablet weighs about the same as a DC Archive Edution, is just the right size to present a single comic book page in full screen - and you can read it on the couch, the subway or wherever. I’m surprised (well, not really…) that a comic publisher and TabletPC maker haven’t formed some kind of deal to provide exclusive content.

]]>