I have read many recent comments about formats.  Many retailers seem to suggest that the trade paperback is the format of the future for our industry.  I don't agree.  Think about it: What other retail situation boasts as wide a diversity of published material as ours does, in a format that issues fresh product every week and at more-or-less regular intervals for each title?

The fact that this occurs is based on the 'pamphlet' format we've all loved reading, collecting, and selling for decades.  If this format were to disappear in favor of trade paperbacks exclusively, all comic book stores would in effect become 'just other independent book stores'.

The fact that B&N and other major chains are now focusing on trade paperbacks to the extent that they are trying to 'out-exclusive' each other tells me that if the pamphlet were to disappear these chains would likely have the power and the resources to bury independent comics retailers by offering every trade paperback available and likely at a better price and with better variety than most average independents are able to do.

The thing that makes independent comics retailers unique and viable and more importantly keeps our customers coming back week after week and month after month is the pamphlet format.  It's our duty not only to make sure that this format endures, but that it regains as wide an audience as possible in the coming months and years.