But then I realized that really limited my overseas market. Folks in the UK for example, couldn’t get my books unless they ordered via http://www.comixpress.com since I don’t ship outside North America.

Reluctantly I made the books available digitally and for only a buck since it’s not the optimal way to read the comics.

When reading prose on the screen it’s already a decrease in quality esspecially when reading longer pieces. But a scroll down comics page is worse to me (especially when the file size prevents fast scrolling without any time lag). If I don’t like it enough to get a hard copy including shiping for $5, I wouldn’t pay $1 to read something I have a lukewarm interest in in an uncomfortable pdf version. I think part of the problem could be solved by offering a flash or shockwave version like Scott McCloud or the people who made Platinum Grit did (I’m not talking baout animated stuff, but I think those formats are very well suited for a favourable presentation of pages or parts of pages and the it possible to have a quick and convenient page turn). That wouldn’t solve the ‘whenever and wherever you like issue’ of course.

Still I guess it’s a good idea to sell it digitally so that way more people get to read the book who other wise wouldn’t touch it. So altough I loathe the pdf-Format and think it’s more of a promotion tool than a real alternative to sell (and I don’t think that the hardcopy is overpriced in comparison), I agree with Johanna that it’s good consider as many markets as possible. I just don’t like the format.

Most comic geeks, myself, included, love the feel of having the comic in front of you, in printed format, readable wherever and whenever you like – on the train, in a park, on the can, whatever. You can’t do that with a digital version, unless you have a laptop, and that’s a lot of weight to be lugging around for a lunch break in the park.

Throw in the posters (two of which currently adorn the walls of the Gdaycave) and I consider $5 a reasonable price to pay for the convenience, not to mention it appeals to the hoarder/collector/packrat in me.

Now looking at the pdf option… it’s cheaper, it’s only a buck, and there are teasers up at Honor Brigade’s site to help convince people that it’s worth at least the download price.

… but I still want my posters ;)

There’s one slight clarification about the $5 price for the printed issues of Honor Brigade. The $5 covers a signed bagged & boarded book, a full color poster, and shipping.