Tom Shea of TJ Collectibles in Milford, Massachusetts, saw retailer comments about Marvel's new digital comic subscription site (see 'Michael Costello of Downtown Comics on Online Comics ') and agrees that online comics are not a threat to his business:
I agree with Michael Costello that online comics will not lead to our demise. A number of years ago at the Diamond Retailer Summit, Frank Miller gave a great speech at the awards dinner about being part of the comics industry. He spoke about 'The Love of the Page.' One of the things that makes comics what they are is their form. Old comics have that certain feel, smell, and look about them that one cannot duplicate on a computer screen. Over the years many a customer has come in to my store to search for the comic that meant so much to them while growing up. Many of our customers come to our stores wanting to look at both new and old comics. They come in for the experience of talking about their favorite characters and what is happening in their favorite books. We can provide 'the full comic experience' that online comics can't match. We need to not lose touch with the fact that we are in a people business. Our relationships with our customers last years, sometimes decades. What other business can say that?
A few years ago a friend of mine, Matt Lechner from Comicopia (a great comic store in
Graphic novels haven't lead to the downfall of the direct market stores as many predicted would be the case. In fact, graphic novels have had the opposite effect. So with that in mind, if online comics can help increase our industry the same way graphic novels have done, I am all for it.
The opinions expressed in this Talk Back article are solely those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff of ICv2.com.
