I used to buy comics in stores.
Then — for a while — I was into ComiXology, an app that made it much easier to buy and store comics. I dig that company, which was bought by Amazon, with its mission to broaden comic readership and publishing across the world. Though I read mostly Marvel, I liked the idea of reading other publishers and indies.
Then I discovered Marvel Unlimited, a $9.99 a month subscription service , which lets you read tons of comics from Marvel's archive dating up to six months ago. It's now my new favorite way to read comics.
Having a subscription changes how you read comics.
Consider the economics: When you're paying by the issue, you'll be conservative in what you read, tend toward the most-hyped comics, stick with what you know. When you've got a subscription, you can try comics with impunity: Pick up that quirky spinoff from the latest crossover; finish that crossover you gave up on; read a legendary run from the past.
Since signing up for Marvel Unlimited last week, I've caught up on two dozen of the new "Star Wars" comics, finished the big 2014 crossover, "Avengers & X-Men: Axis," browsed smaller titles like "Future Imperfect," "Hail Hydra," "Howard the Duck," and "The Immortal Iron Fist," and reread the classic "Daredevil: Born Again." Paying by issue, I'd never read that much.
$9.99 is cheaper than buying 3 comics a month (single issues range from $1.99 to $4.99). While it's more expensive than Netflix ($7.99), it's cheaper than a movie ticket ($15 in New York).
For those who've missed the boat, comics have emerged as a major new narrative form, and they're experiencing a golden age akin to what's happening in TV.
You'll enjoy having an unlimited supply. They're the perfect thing for a moment of quiet escapism, easier reading than a book, less obtrusive than the TV. It's the best use I know of an iPad.
As for the downsides ....
That six-month delay isn't as annoying as I expected. While it means that you miss out on the hype and risk spoilers, the comics are as good when you read them as ever. I'm enjoying reading last summer's crossover right now.
Not having a physical comic may discourage some people, but me, I'm skeptical of comics as an investment and I'm glad not to have to store a growing collection.
Committing to Marvel is somewhat annoying — I read "The Walking Dead" by Image and I know there are lots of excellent non-Marvel comics — but that was 90% of what I bought in the past, and anyway I can always buy comics from other publishers separately.
Will I change my mind after I've mined the archives? I can always cancel the subscription if I do.
