Monthly Archives: June 2022

28Jun/22

What Is The Cost of Collecting Comics?

Comics Culture, FAQ, , , , , ,

How Much Does Collecting Comics Cost?

Hey there, Silverline family. Today’s an interesting topic that doesn’t get brought up too often despite it running almost every aspect of our lives. Money. How much does it cost to collect comics?

This is one of those questions where there is no real answer. As unsatisfying as that is, it’s for a reason. Not everyone collects comics the same way. I’d wager that no two comic collections are alike. Comics are considered to be one of the more expensive hobbies for us nerds, but I know of some collections that were purchased so frugally that it’d make an extreme couponer blush.

To make matters even more convoluted, there is a multitude of different product types that are all still considered comics. Taking that into consideration and you start to see why there’s no definitive answer as to how much money you can expect to spend if you want to start collecting comics.

To start let’s learn what types of comics are out there are what they cost.

Cost of Single Comic Issues

Your classic comic is the single issue, sometimes called a floppy. This is equivalent to one chapter of a story and ranges between 18 and 32 pages depending on the publisher and how much goodwill they have with their printer. This costs anywhere between $3 to $6 for a new issue currently. You can also find old, not valuable issues in bargain bins for 99 cents around the world.

The next level up from that is a trade paperback or trade. A trade will usually collect 5 or 6 issues of a series. The average price for a trade is between $13.95 to $17.95. Of course, depending on publisher and brand value, that price could go up or down by several dollars. This serves as our smallest and most effective form of a collected book.

Cost of Collected Comic Issues

The next level from that is going to get split into two different categories. It also has the broadest range of content so getting an average is tricky. This will be our Collected Editions sometimes called Complete Series or just big books because we’re lazy. They come both in paperback and hardcover and combine entire story arcs or entire runs of a comic into one publication. This can be anywhere from 12 to 36 issues or more.

For a paperback, you should expect to spend anywhere between $20 and $40. This number can vary greatly because the amount of content inside the cover can vary greatly. A hardcover will usually run between $35 and $65. Again this number can vary greatly.

The total cost of your collection can change drastically based on what comic products you choose to pick up. If you are okay with not following a new series month to month, you could save yourself a chunk of change by waiting for it to get collected into a trade or a collected edition.

Buying Comics To Read

The next big determiner of how much money you’ll be spending is whether or not you are buying to collect or buying to read. If you are buying comics purely to read and engage with the storylines, you’re probably buying just what interests you and are not hunting down super rare back issues. This means that your cost for entry is at most going to be the market averages we discussed above.

Depending on if you prefer digital or physical comics you could get all your reading down through a subscription to an online service. Making your total cost for the hobby a monthly flat rate of $9.99 to $15. If you prefer to have paper in hand, your friendly local comic store might have sales or a loyalty/rewards program. Either way, you can greatly reduce the amount of cash you’ll be investing in the hobby while still supporting the creators and their sales/online reading metrics.

Buying Comics To Collect

If your goal is to have the biggest or most impressive collection, you’ll find that you’ll be spending a pretty penny on the hobby. Even if you are only hunting down a specific publisher or superhero, the hunt can be costly. Many comics and their creators have long and storied histories. That means a long history of books to collect. Many of these issues are no longer going to be in print, so that means you have to get into trading circles and find the collectors auctions.

Rare issues that are out of print can range anywhere from $25 to several thousand dollars. The further back you go, the more it’s going to cost.

You can also get your issues graded or slabbed. This is another investment that you will have to pay for but if you want to know that you have the best quality comics in your collections, the value could be there for you. The standard cost to grade a single comic issue is going to be around $75. To have a comic slabbed you can expect to pay anywhere between $22 to $120 depending on the value of the comic. Once you get into an issue with a value in the thousands though, the price can go up from there.

Bottom Line: How Much You Can Expect To Spend on Comics

Hopefully, now you see just how much the cost of collecting comics can vary. If you’re just a fan of the medium and want to read a storyline or two here and there. You might spend $9.99 a month, or $60 to get the entertainment you want. If you want to have the biggest collection of your favorite superhero you can be looking at $3000 plus the cost of grading/slabbing.

The cost can vary even more when you take into account Kickstarter tiers but those usually include additional rewards, so you’re getting more bang for your back in terms of total content and SWAG.

There’s no wrong way to enjoy comics. Whether you’re a trade reader or a floppy collector, you’re both engaging with this phenomenal medium. The only advice I can give is to buy what you like and buy within your means.

Until next time,

Make Mine Silverline!

21Jun/22

Can I Read Comics Online?

Comics Culture, FAQ, , , , , , , , , ,

Can I Read Comics Online?

Hey there silver Fam! This week I wanted to answer a question that pops up now and then. If you’re asking this question, you might be new to the comics hobby or maybe you have a kid or family member who likes comics and are trying to get them a way to read. Online comics are also a great solution if you live in an area without a local comic shop and have a hard time having books shipped to your address. For some of us with a lot of time spent in the comics sphere, this might seem obvious, but this is a question that gets asked. Not everyone knows where to look or where to start. 

So to answer the question – yes, with some exceptions. We’ll get into that as well as some additional context on platforms and why online comics could be a good fit for you. 

 

Are Comics Available Online?

Yes! There are a ton of comics you can read online! Some are free, some with a subscription, and some you need to buy individually. This includes comics from the major publishers, books from a lot of independent publishers, as well as books from individual creators. Comics online, let’s list out a few of our favorite sites to read comics on. 

This is the site for your indie darlings. A lot of the comics on this site are made by one or two individual creators. These books are free to read and are usually updated weekly. The quality can be hit or miss depending on the title but the same can be said for comics platforms. The lack of project editors just means that the lack of polish can be more apparent at times. If you’re looking for something unique and never done before, this is a great place to look.

Comixology is a digital comics shop that sells books from all the major publishers as well as a lot of independent publishers. It also has a line of independent creator-owned projects published as Comixology Originals. Many of these books can all be read with a Comixology Unlimited subscription, while the rest of the shop catalog requires the digital copies to be purchased individually. That being said, they regularly run sales or even offer comics for free. Offerings include floppies, trades, and collected editions, as well as curated bundles. 

  • DC & Marvel

If you or the person you’re shopping for are diehard fans of DC or Marvel, and that’s all you’re looking for, both publishers have their own online comic services: DC Universe Infinite, and Marvel Unlimited. Both sites offer a large collection of comics from their respective publishers as part of a monthly subscription.  If all you need is The Bat or Cap, these sites could be your solution. 

 

Why Would I Need Digital Comics?

Well, we all need comics, that’s a universal truth. Some of us are lucky enough to live close to an FLCS (Friendly Local Comic Shop), are in good enough health to get there, and are lucky enough to find what we want in stock. If any one of those criteria is not met, online comics try to remedy that. While you can order some trades or collections online and have them delivered, that’s still reliant on that book being in print and carried by a store that can afford the overhead of shipping. If you recently moved to a rural area, had an accident, or are into something niche, you may be able to scratch that same itch by collecting digital comics

Another fact of the matter is that anyone can make a digital comic and post it online. As mentioned earlier in the segment on Webtoons. There are some unique stories that you will not find anywhere else. The digitization of comics has democratized publication as it has with so many other forms of media. 

 

Why Aren’t All Comics Available Online?

If it does so much to meet the reader where they are, it would make sense for all comics to be published online, right? Unfortunately, it doesn’t make the most business sense in every situation. As with anything, there is a cost involved. It could be the monetary cost for scanning and formatting, server upkeep, publishing dues, or even just time invested. To get that cost back, the comic needs to sell enough to cover that cost on top of the costs that are already incurred in making a book. 

With how many books are available online, that is sometimes not the case, especially for small independent publishers. There are so many options presented to readers, that they can’t possibly look at or purchase every book. Small publishers also do not receive the same priority for marketing or placement, so they are effectively hidden from the reader. If a book can’t be seen by the reader, it can’t be purchased, and therefore can’t cover the cost of making the digital copy.

 

Are Silverline Comics Online?

Unfortunately, we do not currently offer a catalog of comics for online reading. It is something that gets brought up with some frequency in our internal conversations. At the moment, we feel like we need more growth to justify that cost. In the meantime, our comics can be bought online and shipped to your address. Our Kickstarters do also offer PDF copies. If you are in a situation where you rely on digital comics for your reading pleasure, check out our next Kickstarter and select the PDF reward tier. You will receive a digital copy to download and read on any device. 

If you want more digital copies of our comics, let us know! Post in the comments or message us on social media and we’ll keep that in mind the next time it comes up. At current, you can still support us by backing or sharing Kickstarters to help us reach the growth we need to make it worthwhile!

 

Who Are Silverline Comics

A bunch of nerds trying to give you some dope reads and take you on fun adventures through comics. If you want to catch up on what we have going on, follow our socials. If you want to hang out with us, check out our live shows on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday. 

Make Mine Silverline!

 

14Jun/22

How Do I Get Better At Making Comics?

Craft of comic creating, , , , , , , , ,

How Do I Get Better At Making Comics?

Hi there Silverline Fam!

Last week we talked about what the craft of comics is (link). In the end, I teased about how you get better at the art of making comics. This week is going to be a bit more in-depth about how you get better at making comics. I’ll try to make this comprehensive but without going overboard. Don’t want to be dozing off or crossing your eyes halfway through. We’ll go over both free and paid routes to improve your craft.


Is There A School For Comics?

Almost surprisingly, the answer is yes! There are colleges and universities specifically for comic books are the different art forms used to make them. As far as attending an art university that specifically has degree programs or a course path for comics, some things need to be considered.

Art Schools and Speciality Schools are typically more expensive than a traditional universities.
They may also not have the same accreditation.
The degree they offer will be hyper-specific to comics or that art form.

That’s not to say that they don’t offer good information or that they won’t set you up for a career in comics. It just means you may need to be more conscious about managing your finances and student loans. You will also need to figure out how to leverage that knowledge for your day job. Starting full-time in comics happens to almost no one, so you will need to see how you can apply those skills to a different day job in the meantime. I know a lot of comic creators who work in marketing, copywriting, graphic design, education, or eSales because there is some carryover in the skill sets.

That all being said, you will probably receive the most focused education on comics available. It is likely that your instructors will have years of experience working in comics or may still be working in comics. If your educators are good, you will be receiving all the best wisdom and guidance their experience has taught them. They will also serve as professional connections that could get your work. Working comic creators and publishers are also aware of these schools and will sometimes recruit from them.


Can I Learn Comics At A State Or Community College?

If the cost of specialty is too prohibitive or there just isn’t any in your area, you can learn how to make comics through another school. If you’re pretty sure that college is the path for you, but not a specialty school, you can still take a major that sets you up for working in comics or even take electives that will improve your art or writing.

Degree programs in creative writing, English, or art are pretty common. A state or community college will likely offer one or all of these programs in your area. Some colleges do also offer Art for Comic Books as an elective the community college in my home city does.

While these programs may not be specifically tuned for making comics, the basic tenets of good writing and good art still apply. The adjustments you would need to make as a creator will either be to tune your dialogue for comics or to get used to creating sequential art.


Are There Online Courses For Comics?

Absolutely! There are plenty of online courses for those looking to pay for some sort of education but don’t want to begin a new college career. These courses can usually be completed in several weeks, and do in-depth on illustrating or writing for comic books. This means that the knowledge you pick up here will directly apply to comics without much adjusting. There are also courses for just writing or art if you are looking for a broader field of study that is still applicable. Some great courses exist out there and can be found at:

Lynda through LinkedIn
Masterclass.com (I recommend Neil Gaimen’s course)
Skillshare.com
udemy.com



How Do I Learn To Make Comics For Free?

If the money is something that is not feasible for you, or you just prefer self-study, there are free alternatives.

The first option is the most important method of improvement for anyone regardless of education. That is PRACTICE. You get better by doing. That’s a universal truth. You develop a taste by reading comics, and by creating comics you bring yourself more in line with your taste. You will never truly be as good as your taste, but you never get closer without practice. Of course, that also means you can’t get discouraged with your practice.

The second thing to look at is free resources online. Hey, that’s us (link). Free articles from professionals in the industry are a great way to ingest the knowledge they have to offer. These resources are typically more common among writers, but artists may have similar articles on their websites or deviant art page. Sometimes these are more general FAQs but they could also be a step-by-step “how do you do this?” type subject. Another type of free resource is Youtube videos. A lot of artists and letterers have free videos or series that go into the process of what they do or how to use a particular piece of software. If you are a visual learner and want to see how an artist does their type of illustration, this is a great path to go down.

 

Are There People To Help Me Make Comics?

In more ways than you probably think! A lot of comic artists or writers typically don’t take on mentees, but some do. You can also look to your peers. Once you start making comics, you can also lean on your editor and the rest of your team.

Sometimes comic pros will have a public email that they receive questions at. These are usually listed in their Instagram or Twitter bio, or on their website. They may not be looking to become your full-time mentor, but they may be more than willing to spend a couple of hours answering your questions on craft or practice. Just remember to be kind and respectful.

If you have peers in your area, or online that also write or create art, they can also be a resource. Practice is best paired with FEEDBACK. This could be a writing group, art collective, a constructive criticism messaging group or subreddit, etc. Make sure these are people you trust to help you elevate your work. Also, make sure you’re honest with yourself and know that you can take feedback without getting defensive. Be aware that sometimes you will receive bad feedback that you need to disregard. If you can do all that and can follow feedback earnestly, you will find your work might sometimes exceed your taste.

Lastly, is your editor. This relationship is something that will go into more depth later, as it is a more advanced subject. Once your craft is already at a point where you are getting comics work, you will likely be working with a project manager. If not in the title, at least someone that fills that role. This is the person who will help elevate your craft on this particular project. All the advice I gave earlier, applies doubly so to this particular dynamic.


I hope that all helps you find a path to help you get better at making comics. Whether through school, self-study or working with others, there are plenty of ways to learn how you can improve.


Who Are Silverline Comics

A bunch of nerds trying to give you some dope reads and take you on fun adventures through comics. If you want to catch up on what we have going on, follow our socials. If you want to hang out with us, check out our live shows on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday.

Make Mine Silverline!

07Jun/22

What Is The Craft Of Comics?

Craft of comic creating, , , , , , , , , ,

Hey There Silverline Family!

Today is a cheeky post. We’re talking about the craft of making comics. We’ll be talking a little bit about what all is involved in making a comic, and then giving a start on how to improve that craft. We’ll probably do an entry down the lie on how to grow that craft in detail, so this will just be the first step once you know what it is.

First of all . . .

What is Craft?

Well, craft is all sorts of things. To boil it down a craft, or someone’s craft is their skilled profession, hobby, or pursuit. Some people are skilled carpenters and are said to be craftsmen. Others pursue an art form as a craft, either professionally or for pleasure (ideally both). That art is said to be their craft.

What is the Craft of Making Comics?

Other than a sick blog series we run, the craft of making comics is almost another umbrella group. Making a comic involves several art forms. This includes writing, different forms of illustration and pencil/pen art, color, and editing. I do include editing as an art because the editor needs to have a solid working skill or understanding of all the other involved art forms.

Some people are auteurs and can do all the above themselves and will either publish independently or get a special contract with a publisher to do so but in most cases, multiple people work on one comic book or series in different aspects. So in most cases, there are no true comic craftsmen, but rather several individuals skilled in other crafts that come together to make a well-crafted comic.

You might ask if the real craft of making comics then is teamwork and friendship? If you want to be sappy about it, yes. Practically, the craft of making comics is an umbrella term for all the skills involved. I am a writer, but understand the value of good art. I know that for my books to be well crafted, I need a good artist.

What Is My Craft?

Your craft is largely going to be dependent on what you are skilled in, or are willing to learn, and what you already like doing. It can be a relief knowing that if you want to get into making comics, you don’t need to do it all. You just need to find someone like-minded with a craft that fits the needs of your book. If you’re a writer, you need an artist. If you’re an artist, you need a writer.

If you haven’t drawn or written something seriously, and you don’t know what your craft style is. Try to create something in any of the following crafts.

  • Writing
  • Penciling
  • Inking
  • Coloring
  • Lettering

If you have questions about any of those. Click around in our Craft Series. You might find something that sounds exciting. Experiment with art, kids! All your friends are doing it. You might just find something you can get good at and that you love.

How Do I Get Better At My Comic Craft?

You’re going to hate me for this one, but “just do it” (As commanded by Shia Lebouf). The reasoning is pretty simple. The more you do something, the more efficient you become at it. Whether that’s figuring out how to do it properly or quickly, you get better at getting it done. If you read comics (why would you want to make comics if you don’t read them?), you already have a taste in comics that has grown with each comic you read. The more efficiently you do something, the more efficiently you do it to your taste. So the more comics you read and the more you perform that craft, the better you get.

Now, there is much more you can do to get better at making comics. That’s a subject for a different blog post though.

Who Are Silverline Comics

A bunch of nerds trying to give you some dope reads and take you on fun adventures through comics. If you want to catch up on what we have going on, follow our socials. If you want to hang out with us, check out our live shows on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday.


Make Mine Silverline!