WHY I LOVE BUYING SINGLE ISSUES | Single Issues vs Trade Paperbacks | Collected Editions

[@mikem3543]

For me it’s simple. I look forward to going to my LCS on Wednesday afternoon. The DELICIOUS anticipation of Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, as you start to ruminate on what might be in your box... The feeling of peace that comes over me as I walk through the door, all my anxieties falling away, my shoulders dropping, my step a little lighter... the clerk who looks up and says “hey, what’s good, man?” As he turns to grab my stack... flipping through the stack, then strolling over to the wall to see what’s new... chatting a little with others doing the same thing... etc... etc... etc.... Yup, it’s expensive. But I can’t imagine giving it up.

[@marynorris8628]

Going to your LCS weekly to buy single issues is a great experience that’s hard to explain, you get to know the people that work and shop there. They become your comic book buddies, kinda like bar buddies. It becomes like a weekly hang out but instead of buying beer and getting drunk you’re buying and talking comics.

[@YouTruckinNerd]

I've never been a fan of single issues I figure if it's good enough it will get collected. I dont mind being late to the party 🤣

[@BLAZE_BL4Z3]

main reason I buy single issues is because of the front cover art

[@dochudson9393]

One thing I've come to love about single issues versus trades (which is the majority of my reading) is the ads! I've always loved reading comic book ads and never realized I would miss them reading collecteds.

[@rupertpendergrass4014]

Same here, having a single book is like having a personal piece of the art or story even though they make thousands of copies.

[@langreeves6419]

My pull list is like Hydra. Cut something from the list, and two take its place. I love the weekly anticipation. It is a LOT of fun to binge in trade, or binge an entire run in floppies. But it is ALSO fun to read 5 or 10 comics, all being separate stories, often very different types of comics. It makes each comic take longer to read, providing more enjoyment. I have to slow down to read each issue, taking time to remember what's going on. And each week I listen to many KZbinrs discussing that week's offering...and see the nice people at the lcs. So it's both in person and online community. And there is the illusion of currency, like the events are happening now. Yeah, that's silly. But it's true. A hulk trade paperback feels like I'm reading what happened to the Hulk in the past. But in weekly floppies, it feels like getting weekly newspapers. I've heard people talk about rude comic shops, but I've always had really great people at the shops I go to. I wish my lcs was closer to my house. I used to have one really close, but they closed. I hope the sweet lady who owned and ran it is doing ok.

[@melodic21]

I love single issues too. But I’m going to have them bound. I don’t like short boxes and I’m running out of space.

[@TheComicBookReport]

Oh wow the title 😱 I’m ready to hear this 💪

[@TheComicBookReport]

You had some great points man. And, this is one of my favorite things about this online comics community, love getting to hear others’ experience with the hobby. I don’t do single issues but I follow so many that do and I love getting more insight into that world. I definitely see your perspective on the community LCS experience and the artistic display purposes, such valid point man. And frankly, just great to hear you talk on things you love. Great video BJ

[@brianng8350]

I stopped buying weekly/monthly single issues because of the prices. Like you, I often buy for the covers, but end up on reading the comics themselves. But there are a few exceptions like Tom Taylor titles and Saga, now that it is back.

[@toyomicdisplays]

We are blessed to be in the Ultimate Comics family! Ultimate Comics Cary is my happy place! I agree about the visit to the shop, I’m always talking with Grace and Harrison or the many other Ultimites at the store! Last week a new reader who was returning to comics was next to me in the store. He told Harrison he was all about X-men, I took him to the only HOX/POX Trade Paperback and he got it. I hope he keeps coming back for more!

[@MILKSHAKEPOD]

2:44 holy shit! I just moved down here and immediately started regularly going to Ultimate in Cary. Just started a pull list with them this week. I’m also a fan of single issues.

[@Skipntosh]

Please watch Akira bruh bruh. Please 🙏🏾. It’s a historical human achievement in animation AND there is a transcendent reason why it is still reverberating through the creative consciousness of artists and art appreciators. It’s been one of my favorites since I was a kid. I recently shower my teenagers and they were so impressed. My youngest wanted to read the manga. Can’t let her right now because the manga is even more adult themed than the anime, but it really is so monumental. Another dope vid!

[@acomicbooknovice8323]

I think FOMO keeps me buying singles more than anything lol that’s also what makes my pull list keep growing 😅

[@TheShop90sKids]

Say no to fomo bro and buy what you like!

[@ronp3000]

I pretty much only buy trade comics and mostly digital now due to space and budgeting reasons, but I give props to everyone who collects comics period. We keep the business going! 😊🎉

[@toeknee1505]

Even though I have cancelled my pull list due to personal finances, I do get one or two a month - X-Men related. Your decision was to have it in a "manageable level". I enjoyed this video, and I have seen it 5 times. Thanks BJ Kicks! Can't wait for this Friday! Happy Holidays!

[@leonardodigirolamo96]

I buy single issues because single issue pages can spread better than the collected editions so i enjoy the art better in that format.

[@matthewhenricks4098]

I've pretty much decided that I'm only buying singles for ongoing stories like Batman, or series likely to get expanded upon, such as The Resistance Universe and We Live. Pretty much everything else is purchased as collected. Limited series from DC especially are going mostly collected, unless it's a story I've been waiting for like Green Hell. Also I've really gotten into doing custom binds!

[@the_flushjackson]

I'm a weirdo, I collect single issues and read everything digitally. The cover art is another key aspect, though sourcing things can be a real PITA -- even if you have several LCS's within reach. The pull system is interesting, but I've found it to be a little laborious at times thus far. This is likely because publishers and distributors have been in a state of change since I've started-in on the hobby. Great video!

[@davecironelibrarykid]

Collected editions have bonus content -- no ads -- and I don't have to deal with delays/damages to the same extent.

[@OmniNationComics]

Dope vid bro ! Even though I don’t really buy single issues as much, I still visit my shop anyway cause the people there are just fun. Which makes the experience amazing.

[@Pencilman246]

I just got into singles because navigating decades of comics history can be overwhelming. It’s more enjoyable to read a single issue of a story per month and follow along with multiple books than try to decide which of the thousands of stories that have been told in the last century you want to read. Trades are definitely superior for reading but I love the monthly serial format. I get burnt out if I try to read entire old runs and even give up on trades sometimes if they’re too long. I like to jump around and get a variety of stories spaced out over time.

[@allanaruba]

Only recently started collecting/reading via Omnibus format mainly, so appreciate the front line readers who collect single issues so that down the line people like myself can get collected editions

[@KimNguyen-zm7gi]

Spot on. I agree with you, but some time they do not have what I’m looking for. My LCS is very limited in what they order. Some time they have all the covers and some time not. It’s very therapeutic for me to go over the covers at the comic book stores and at home. Enjoy looking at the artwork.

[@bunkmastab]

A lot of love here and good points. But seriously, gotta get caught up on Seven Secrets. That series is so good and every issue raises the stakes

[@TheShop90sKids]

I’m a mix of single issues and digital. I have a subscription to marvel unlimited and DC infinite, so I don’t mind being a little behind. But I still have like 4 or 5 runs in my pull box because of the same reasons you said. But not gonna lie man I’ve shrunk it down to 2 and 1 in the past to save some money too. As far as collected, I use to be into them but I only have so much room on my bookshelf.

[@callmetopgun45]

I love single issues and I would love to have a weekly poll list, but I am a broke student and TPBs are typically cheaper. Once I get out of school tho 👀

[@mr_red13]

What are TPBs? I’m new to this.

[@callmetopgun45]

@@mr_red13 Hi! Tpb stands for trade paper back. It is a softcover collection of floppies (single issues that come out monthly)

[@mr_red13]

@@callmetopgun45 ahh I gotcha. Thanks for the info!

[@manchuk1d]

I'm still new into Comics and since everything is digital i read it online, if the story is dope to me i go out and try to hunt for the 1st issue comic book or an issue with a cool variant cover to keep in my collection, is that weird at all?

[@mattheweanfeldman]

I often wondered how artists and writers get paid. Are they paid a flat fee or are they paid more if it's a single vs trade vs online?

[@mattheweanfeldman]

@@GENOTALKSCOMICS thanks!

[@JCtheComicGeek]

But $5 a week $20 a month for 1 book/series? Very pricey. Could buy 30 issues in omnibus format for around $60-80 easy to store and looks good on the shelves. One downside to singles is you put them in a dark box stored away for the most part. But I do agree on mingling with your lcs and talking about the comics you love. When I was gonna restart my YT channel I was going to collect cool covers and gimmick covers from the 90s for single issues only.

[@davecironelibrarykid]

I have cut 90% of my pull list -- collected editions are my standard now unless I want a cover for display.

[@sasukeCRO30]

I love variant covers. I mainly go for Chris Samnee, Francis Manapul, Paolo Rivera and so many more.

[@comicsaredope]

Those Francis Manapul variants for Robin are amazing.

[@boombapdoom493]

Love going to my LCS every Wednesday to buy singles. I’m guilty of buying A & B covers of the same title sometimes even 2 A’s 😆

[@Giannhs_B]

Single issues are ridiculously expensive. They are 4-5$ or 4-5€ (which is more expensive) in Europe for 23 pages. I don't know if for USA are more affordable, but in Greece you probably have to work more than one hour. In conclusion, i can agree that we have to pay to bay art ,but comics are for entertainment and when i have the option to be entertained the same with less money, i would choose the cheaper option.

[@dochudson9393]

I get a lot from the library. I'd go broke if I didn't.

[@_The_Worst_]

Yeah man, that's facts...like, same...🤘🏼💯✔️

[@venomspeech5484]

Wassup BJ hey you been to Ollie's lately?

[@Rooster832]

I buy OCH or omnibuses it also saves money vs buying singles.

[@ThomasWilliams848403]

Great video Yes i love my single books to❤ To see Awesome Art Work

[@davecironelibrarykid]

Everyone -- remember you were HERE when BJ said "I've never seen AKIRA"!

[@thepagemaster2963]

The only reason to buy comics is during an event. So you don’t have to wait 6 months to get an omnibus

[@zuffin1864]

I think i want a pull list where i get one single a week, because its fun to have new comics & thats all

[@alfiecaldicott1652]

ive decided to collect single issues after realising trying to read any famous marvel runs pre 2000 is impossible!! omnibus whilst alot are £70 (which is still ridiculous) many can go closer to £300

[@kpark1762]

I have a couple things I really want to sell. Any good suggestions for me to sell. It's only like a handful of books. I heard Facebook group is the way to go. Any group u recommend?

[@kpark1762]

BTW I am a sucker for cover art. I hope I have enough wall space. I share ur sentiment.

[@Fandomsaddict]

I prefer trades hardcovers etc over single issues

[@Datoxxl]

I buy single issues, but reading wise I prefer HCs. Fear of damaging single issue while reading kills me.

[@anaveragegamer359]

good for you but its was waste of moeny and space for me

[@whitetiger_ccc]

Cowabunga fam 🤙

[@daddy_1453]

I dislike singles because they contain ads. Also they’re less cost effective and feel flimsy.