Digital Comics May Be Everywhere But They’ll Never Replace Print

Cornwall Seaway News in Ontario, Canada recently did some coverage of Free Comic Book Day at an event held at a specialty store called Fantasy Realm, where it sounds like again, nobody takes issue with the pamphlet format still prevalent in publishing:

“We had dozens of people lined up to start the day,” Sauve said. “It’s a steady trickle all day, and it’s a great introduction for kids to reading—something that’s not a tablet or a phone. They can actually hold a comic book in their hand and read it.”

While digital comics have their place, Sauve believes physical books are here to stay. “The industry promotes digital, but they’ve never gone away from Free Comic Book Day with real books. Every comic is going to be somebody’s first,” he added.

Among this year’s popular picks: Minecraft, Spider-Man, Superman, and a buzzworthy new title written by Post Malone for adult readers.

Of course I don’t think digital format should replace print, but as I’ve stressed quite a few times already, I do think it’s time to retire the monthly pamphlet format and exchange it for paperback/hardcover. And this article doesn’t sound like the folks at this FCBD event care about all that. And if not, then no matter how many are coming to gather some free items, there’s no guarantee they’ll want to spend as much as 4-5 dollars on monthly pamphlets, as continues to be the format.

Originally published here.