Print Versus Digital Comics: What Does the Future Hold?

Comic books have been a popular collector's item for decades. Many individuals still have boxes of them tucked away in their attics. While many collectors would never dream of selling their comic book collections, others are in it strictly for the money. Who would have guessed that technology would someday change the way that a good percentage of comic books are developed and read?

Today, comic aficionados have choices. They can continue to collect the cartoons in book format or they can download their favorite comics in digital format. Digital comics are becoming as popular as digital music and digital movies; fans of all genres like their entertainment on the go.

Of course, digital comics may not have won over serious collectors, who hope their stash will be worth big money someday. After all, half the fun of collecting the whimsical cartoon books is hoping you'll get your hands on the ones that will turn out to be worth something. Serious collectors not only buy new comic books, but they peruse garage sales, flea markets, and estate sales hoping to find the next addition to their collection. Digitalizing comic books may not make a favorable impression on such collectors.

However, there is a growing market for digital comics; in fact, some of the comic books making their way to the digital formats are digital exclusives. For example, Dan in Space, by Squirrel Master Studios, is available exclusively to the digital marketplace. Designed by an independent developer, Dan in Space reaches customers in Norway, Ireland, and Spain as quickly as it reaches the community where the studio is located.

This is possible because App stores, such as the Android Market, have paved the way for comic book developers as well as fans to immediately feed their superhero passions. In fact, many comic book readers prefer their fix to be digitally infused. This is true for several reasons: acquisition is immediate, portable, and cheaper.

Many of the best digital comics sell for as little as $1. This is as good for readers as it is for developers. In the past, individuals or small companies that produced comic books would have to spend a great deal of their own money in order for their cartoon creations to see publication. They would have to pay for printing and publication upfront, market the comics, and deal with shipping and handling, as well as local bookstores. Thanks to the digital marketplace, producers of comic books such as Dan in Space can hold on to as much as 70% of the profits, not to mention avoiding the out-of-pocket costs associated with publication.

While there will always be comic book collectors of the print format, digital comics are making a splash. The Android Market isn't the only digital format developers are turning to. For example, Dan in Space will soon be available on the iPad, iPhone, and iTouch.