Comic Books a 2019/2020 Guide

I’m an avid reader and have been since I was a child. From an early age I began reading comic books and haven’t stopped. That’s not to say it’s the only thing I read. I grew up reading Louis L’amour and Stephen King and many others. Yet, the works of Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and many others had a large impact on my imagination and desire to write. Generally, my rule is if it sounds like a good story-go read it and make up your own mind.

Now, back to subject on hand. You may be aware that the landscape of how we get access to comic books has changed over the last decade. We have many choices. From multiple digital subscriptions, digital collections, to the old fashion way of buying a physical book. Which way is right for you? That depends on your goal. Are you an avid collector? If the answer is yes, stick to the physical books. If you are most concerned with reading, go digital. Perhaps you are like myself, I go the digital route to have easy access to read, but still collect the physical books as well.

Let’s take a look at some the digital options we have today. Perhaps, one of the most popular is ComiXology, which is owned by Amazon and has a huge selection of books. Not only major publishers, but also smaller publishers and self published under ComiXology Submit. It’s a great way for new creators to get out there. ComiXology has two methods of consumption. You can shop and buy titles or collections to add to your library to own. Or you can subscribe to ComiXology Unlimited. While Unlimited does give you access to Marvel, DC, Image, Dark Horse, IDW, and more- Not every title is available. You also get discounts on purchasing titles. One thing to note, is that comic books bought on Amazon Kindle do show in the ComiXology app. You can occasional find different prices on Amazon.com and the ComiXology app, therefore be sure to check and maybe you can find a better price when buying to own. The layout and design of their app is pretty solid and easy to use.

Marvel Unlimited is a straight forward subscription service. They add titles every week and boast a collection of 25,000 plus titles. Most new titles will hit the service 6 months after release date. Again, not all titles are available. You can choose monthly or yearly subscription plans. Again, you’ll find a solid layout that is easy to use. You can also buy single issues and collections outright and read them on the Marvel Comics app.

DC does things a little differently. You can download the DC Comics app, which is powered by ComiXology, allowing you to purchase comics to own. The other option is DC Universe. DC Universe lets you access thousands of comic books for a monthly fee. However, you also get access to a library of other content such as TV, Movies, and original shows such as the Titans, Swamp Thing, and other shows that are exclusive to the service. As far as comic books, again not all titles are available and the interface/navigation could be better. There have also been some rumors of late that the service may shut down, but I’d not take that seriously as of yet.

Which of these is best? You’ll have to decide on your own. My take is to use ComiXology and purchase my digital content outright. I’m building a large library both digital and physical. I’m also currently taking advantage of DC Universe. I’ve enjoy the exclusive shows and having access to the their digital TV and Movie library. As for the comics side, I’ve found it to be clunky and have only read a few issues in app.

For your physical collection, please visit your local Comic Book stores and help support them. To find your nearest store, visit Comic Shop Locator where you’ll find most of your local stores listed. You can also shop online and I find auctions to be a great source of older comics. Another suggestion is to take part in Free Comic Book Day. This is a great family event and who doesn’t want free Comic books?!

I’m turning another page and finishing the Onslaught story line from Marvel. This is a huge epic event and it is a fun read. Perhaps, I’ll write about it after I digest it all. Now go forth and find something to read. Happy Reading!