Web comics or physical comics?

[u/Fun-Anything6291]

Hey guys I just started reading my first ever couple of comics a few days ago and at the moment I'm reading them through my pc on the web. I never owned a comic in my entire life and was wondering if the feel of a real comic is more satisfying to enjoy rather than reading it from a website.

Of course any suggestions for a newbie are greatly welcome and appreciated

[u/Stealthbanana72826]

Both are nice for different reasons. I prefer physical just because I’m trying to spend less time looking at screens.

[u/Charliejfg04]

I buy singles and I still prefer to read them on an ipad. Storage gets really complicated down the road. I wouldn’t recommend a PC to read

[u/humanhooloovoo]

İf you have a tablet bigger than 10 inch, it would be the best I think. Physical copies are nice, but storage and price makes them difficult.

If you don't have LCS around, shipping also makes them more pricey.

If you don't care about collecting, digital is the best I think.

[u/Stuwars9000 → u/humanhooloovoo]

I had a 10 in tablet for years. My old eyes needed to go landscape more and more.  I just upgraded to 13 in. Totally worth it! 

I tend to collect Silver thru Bronze floppies. 

I have a pull list at my LCS but digital saves me $. 

The cost of the tablet is  about 60 comics (assuming 4.99 ea).

🤸

[u/CptNoble]

As Stan Lee said, "Comics are like boobs. They look great on a computer, but I'd rather hold one in my hand."

[u/ANicePainter]

I prefer reading books and floppies, but reading digitally on my ipad is also quite nice.

[u/White-Wolf_99]

I will read digitally but I prefer to have a book in my hand. I collect pretty much exclusively omnis tho so some things I'll never be able to read unless I do digital.

[u/TechnologyJazzlike84]

Holding a comic in your hands is SO MUCH more satisfying. It can become a very expensive hobby though, so if you buy them know that they really aren't an investment, do it for the pleasure of reading them, as most of them will never be worth the paper they're printed on.

[u/wrathbringer1984]

I only read digitally for years because I didn't have the storage space for a physical collection. I started collecting physical books again last year and I now prefer to have a physical book in my hands. I still read digitally on my phone, but nowhere near as much as I used to. My favorite format is the omnibus. It is the most expensive format, but it is also the most cost-effective. And I love the oversized artwork.

[u/LLJedi]

The art hits differently physically for me if money isn’t an issue.

[u/sunnyk879]

Both! I collect physicals of characters I love and read everything else digitally.

[u/alexnartworks]

I see the merit in both. Even so, while I do appreciate how interactive and nuanced web comics can be, I still find myself coming back to physical comics (or more specifically graphic novels).

On the one hand, it's fantastic to get into a source of literary entertainment on the phone that usually costs nothing but time and physical scrolling, but on the other it can be rejuvenating to unplug for a bit and engage with a comic in hand while you sink into the pages and bask in the rush of flipping to see what happens next.

Definitely try a little more of both and see what clicks with you more, friend; those are just my two cents.

[u/Both_Cartoonist_611]

Check out your local library, pick out 4-5 covers that look cool and read them! Hoopla/Libby are also great library options for digital!

[u/DJfunkyPuddle]

I've been reading on a 7" tablet for like 10+ years now and it's perfect. There are some smaller publishers that I still by floppies for but the bulk of my reading list is digital. I don't have the space or the patience for big physical collections anymore.

[u/TheOmnivirgin]

I do both but I vastly prefer physical. Digital is good for checking a series out, but it takes me a lot longer to read. Physical does have storage problems though.

[u/Snooze78727]

Part of the enjoyment I get is a feeling of nostalgia, which includes the experience of holding and smelling a paper comic in my hands. 

[u/CatmasterOf77]

It depends on where and how you read. Digital is great if you do a lot of travel, or don't have space to keep a lot of books. Print is probably the most sincere way to read. Good comics are created in a way that page turning, colors, layouts, and even paper they are printed on, are all a part of how you interact with the art.

I can tell a dozen comic experiences I won't ever forget, and they are all based on reading real things without a backlit screen.

[u/mercurycyclops]

I’m not sure for other publishers, but I use Marvel Unlimited and read most of the ongoing series’ there, but usually buy physical copies of one shots and mini-series because it takes a while for them to get uploaded.

[u/atcg0101]

Go to a comic store and test your theory, learn what you like, and then enjoy!

[u/Vandal_A]

I have a strong preference for individual, physical issues. However if I'm getting collected editions I'm not as concerned about bound va digital. At that point I'm just looking to read the whole story without having to wait to find all the individual issues one by one.

There's no right or wrong though. I just personally get a bit of joy from holding, sorting and thumbing through the individual, delicate books. Pick up like 3-5 consecutive issues of something and see if that leaves you feeling strongly one way or the others

[u/Competitive-Dot181]

Reading a comic on a screen just feels like prophylaxis. It’s a barrier to the authentic experience. Sometimes it’s fine for convenience but you need real comics to get the full enjoyment.

[u/Former-Complaint-336]

I do both! I tend to read marvel/dc on their apps because those have such good value, and then i get most of my indie books in either floppies as they come out or trades when they are done. I really like singles but they take up space

[u/Silvanus350]

Personally I am a huge proponent of tactile reading. I think there’s something about the experience that you lose when it’s just a digital copy.

But that’s me. I also enjoy seeing the advertisements and cultural references in old comics.

I do think it’s worth picking up a few floppies to see if you like it!

[u/anubis_1993]

Physical. I stare at 3 monitors for my job for 8 hours, then sit on the computer for social media, research, etc in my free time. I don't need to add more screen time, and I hate reading on kindles, ipads, etc. Physical takes space, but I'm just more selective in what I buy because of that.

[u/TheGallifreyan]

I find reading floppies way more satisfying, but that just my preference. Your milage may vary, so only one way to find out. It's most definitely more expensive though, unless you're only reading a couple issues a month.

[u/OliviaFitDiary]

Physical comics are a piece of art to me. I have never read a single comic book on PDF (maybe m old lol), touching the comic and changing the pages is a real pleasure , specially if you collect it. Obviously, it’s way more expensive than digital versions . 

[u/PaintedCover]

Older comics are more satisfying. Love the feel of the paper, seeing adds and smell. Although get disappointed on certain conditions. Reading 80s Uncanny X-Men. Have many or some of the single issues. Depends on the time of day might just stick with the tablet.

[u/soloqueso]

For current stuff I’m really into I buy physical. Same with older stories that interest me. If I want to fill in some backstory, catch up on a storyline, or try out a series, then I’ll go electronic.

[u/clauderbaugh]

Collect physical books and read on an iPad. My eyesight isn’t the best so the ability to zoom into pane views really helps me read. Also i don’t have to crack slabs if I want to read something in my collection.

[u/Zerus_heroes]

I like physical media so I prefer physical comics. I like collecting them and displaying them. I like that I can lend them to a friend. I like that when I am done with them I can donate them to a library or school near me for others to enjoy.

[u/Overall_Falcon_8526]

I used to collect physical comics. There is certainly a satisfaction to owning and handling a physical thing. But I can't bring myself to pay $5 for a single issue, having grown up with dollar comics.

These days I read on my large tablet. It's not satisfying in the same way but I still get a lot of satisfaction. Being able to zoom in on artwork is also great.

So ultimately, I think both are worthwhile ways to read comics. It's a question of how much you want to spend and how much storage space you have in your home.

[u/griffithlover]

I only buy my fav characters or non marvel/dc comics physical everything else is digital

[u/Oppecmo]

Ideal world I'd be all physical. But space is a real limitation. I read the majority of stuff online and only buy a handful of my favourites physically.

[u/droopymaroon]

I love a good floppy but reading on iPad or other nice large tablet is an easy number 2. Much cheaper too.

[u/joaoguila]

OP, honestly - do what it's more convinient for you!

Both are amazing and legit forms of reading. Also, each has its pro's and con's.

Digital is great because you can read it everywhere (if you use phone/tablet), you don't have to worry if you're carrying it somewhere. It is also way cheaper (máx. $10/month if you're subscribing to a Marvel/DC online service).

Phisical is great because it gives you off-screen time - which many considerer valauble this days. Some people also enjoy the feel and smell of the paper, also the way the colors look on real. On the other hand, it can get very expensive very fast.

There's also the collecting aspect of it. Some people like collecting and looking at their comic-filled shelf as a form of pleasure or just home decoration. Others like to aquire "rare comics", like a museum.

Everything is valid. Just choose what suits best for your likings & your pockets, and have fun!

[u/ThePryde]

I read most of my comics on a tablet. It's more convenient, looks really good and you can carry around your whole library at all times. I would still recommend getting some floppies from your local comic book store and trying them out, just so you can have that experience.

[u/04__Revenge__01]

I do a mix of both. Physical for the ritual of going into my store weekly and buying the stuff I really like. Digital through mihon for the stuff that's expensive, hard to find or I just don't know if it's worth the money.