I've written a lot about ComiXology recently and whether it makes sense to purchase your digital comics given the fact that right now you can't lend them out and you have no guarantees of being able to read your digital purchases if ComiXology goes out of business. However, rather than rehash old arguments, I'd like to focus on a feature of ComiXology I've recently discovered.
Right now you need to make sure you get to your local comic shop every Wednesday. Because of the tight margins on comic book profits they tend to order just enough so that they'll sell out. So on a day like today when Uncanny Avengers #1 came out (or this December with Amazing Spider-Man #700) and everyone wants to own it, you could find yourself unable to read the story. At this point your only options are to wait about six months for the trade paperback (or hardcover) and hope nothing gets spoiled or hope for people to sell back their issues when they're done reading them. Assuming you didn't want to go the illicit route of obtaining them from scanners you'd be out of luck. At least that's the way it used to be.
For the most part ComiXology gets copies of every major comic issue every Wednesday. So if you miss out on getting a physical copy of an issue you could always grab it digitally on ComiXology. If you're into comics for the story rather than for collecting, this should be just as good as a regular copy. Additionally you can read it on your phone, tablet, or computer. That's all well and good, but how does it help you afford more comics?
Well, it has to do with the fact that digital copies means infinite copies. So you don't have to worry about getting comics on the day they come out. You can get them days, weeks, months, or even years later. With DC Comics if you're willing to stay away from spoilers for a month you can get a dollar off the comics. Do that with three of them and you have saved enough money to get another comic! But you can even get more creative. For example, let's say you have a comic budget that only allows you to get 3 comics a week. This week 4 comics came out that you like. Well, you can just save one of those comics until next week when only 2 comics come out. Or maybe just keep adding to your wishlist and stock up whenever you get a bonus at work or as a Christmas present to yourself.
As long as you're willing to wait a little extra you can still get the comics you like and also save some cash at the same time. And, there are always all those sales on ComiXology - you could wait for a story arc to be on sale and then grab the entire thing for 99 cents! So give it a shot and see if you can't experience more comics than ever before!
