I don’t understand your Disadvantage of the storage issue. In your article, it kinda read as if you can’t store collections like you would Single-issues. But that is what I do. Bagged and Boarded and stored inside comic boxes like the few Single-Issues I own. To be frank, they are not that large, and not that much larger than the single issues combined.

To be honest, the neurotic geek in me shivered at the sight of your collections simply standing in that shelf, being exposed to the open air, I’d never be able to do that 😀 .

Hi Tom, great question. the collectability aspect of comics is something that I have tried not to focus on too much as there are certain elements of it that I personally don’t like (speculative buying and taking advantage of people’s OCD), with a preference to reading comics for enjoyment. As for value, it all really depends on what the comic is and if there is actual demand for it and it’s availability. For example, early issues of The Walking Dead fetch a high price as there is high demand and they had a very small print run. The same thing can often with TPB collection too, but usually if it is out of print, but there is a lot of people who want to read it.

Am I wrong to assume there’s more long-term value to be had in collecting single issues than there is the TPB’s?

Or frankly even “library wait”… but since most of the graphic novels in my local libraries are a good 5-10 years old *at least*…

I kind of gave up on the idea of doing this with Black Canary as I was already 5 issues in (helped that I’d picked up the first 3 issues in a grab bag) and it seemed little point in wiating for the TP. Di have my eye on Harley Quinn and Power Girl- some of the covers looked a little embarassing to buy so might wait?

Perhaps “second hand trade waiting” might be a good idea- wait for long enough and there might be enough copies going second-hand on Amazon/eBay/Alibris &c.

Not everything is has been collected in digital trade so single issues are the most convenient in that sense.

Hey, Trevor! 🙂 Thanks for the reply!
But if cost is not a factor, would you prefer digital single issues or digital trades? 🙂 Thanks!

Hey, Trevor! 🙂 Thanks for the reply.
But I would like to ask, if cost is not a factor, would you prefer digital single issues or digital trades? Thanks!

I don’t understand why some publishers only collects part of a bigger story. Like some recent Green Lantern trades. Crossover stories are in different trades. This makes me consider getting single issues than trades.

I think it all depends on how you enjoy reading comics, eg in small bits or like to binge, as well as the cost benefit. If you like reading big chunks of story at once a digital trade might be for you. Also, the can often be a little cheaper than the cost of the single issues combined and sometimes have extra content. I’d always check how much you are saving first by finding out what the collection contains and doing the math to see if there is a cost benefit.

If you’re unsure if you will like the story of a digital trade a single issue is a great way to sample the story and see if you like it.

Overall, I’d use my advise above and apply it to your situation. Sometimes digital single issues will better and sometimes digital trades will be better.

Are digital trades better than digital single issues?

I loooooooove collecting monthlies, but it’s just become too expensive. And keeping track when all these monthlies come out can be a pain.

Great article Trevor Van As I will have to check out more of the site.

That’s a great point!

The only real drawback for me is the wait! Sometimes it seems like ages before the next volume is released!