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Post by rich on Sept 27, 2024 8:44:56 GMT -5
I recommended this book to a friend who hasn't read many comics but is interested to try more- and why not, it's an absolute classic- but he's asked me which copy to buy...
Can anyone help us out on this, please?
The Absolute Edition is double the price of the Slipcase with the 12 individual HCs.
The Slipcase is double the price of the Deluxe HC.
Any of those three would be fine, but is it worth paying double for the Slipcase or quadruple for the Absolute? I know the paper is a bit bigger but is it also better quality paper and binding? Thanks to anyone that knows!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2024 11:00:59 GMT -5
Can he borrow it from the library for free? If not, I would say buy the cheapest option. I mean, chances are he won't ignore Alan Moore like I do and may actually be impressed by the story. But there's always a chance he won't, and it would kind of suck if he bought the "best"/most expensive option first.
I only put out for the lavish editions if I'm reasonably satisfied it's worth it.
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Post by mikelmidnight on Sept 27, 2024 11:29:38 GMT -5
The lavish editions are for fans. If he's still experimenting, just get him the standard trade. That's the cheapest and will have the whole story.
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Post by EdoBosnar on Sept 27, 2024 11:36:38 GMT -5
Yeah, I'd say just go for the cheapest option that collects the entire series. In fact, I think Watchmen is part of the DC Compact Comics line, so it can be purchased for about 10 dollars.
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Sept 27, 2024 11:36:56 GMT -5
I agree that a standard edition makes the most sense. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend Watchmen to someone who hasn't read a significant amount of super-hero comics. I love it and think it's one of the very best super-hero comics ever. But you really need a significant background in the tropes of the genre (and preferably a background in the history of comics) to really understand a lot of what Moore is saying.
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Post by rich on Sept 27, 2024 12:02:18 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies, guys. I should have mentioned the standard edition is not even a euro less than the Deluxe HC right now, so I kinda discounted that. My friend also isn't exactly short on money, so wouldn't worry about spending a little more if it offered any real benefit. 😊👍🏼
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Post by MRPs_Missives on Sept 27, 2024 12:21:43 GMT -5
If he's on a budget, DC just released the compact edition which collects the whole series for $9.99. It's dimensions are slightly smaller than a standard comic, but's the perfecr discovery edition for someone just starting out exploring comics on a budget. Size comparison...  Better still, these compact editions are being stocked by stores like target, so you can get them in person even if there is not a comic shop or bookstore near where you live and you don't want to wait for delivery. -M |
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Post by wildfire2099 on Sept 28, 2024 20:13:05 GMT -5
I'm with Slam... I wouldn't give Watchmen to someone who's not a comic fan.. it is not a starter book. I'd go with something like Kingdom Come or Busiek's Avengers.
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Sept 28, 2024 21:50:27 GMT -5
I'm with Slam... I wouldn't give Watchmen to someone who's not a comic fan.. it is not a starter book. I'd go with something like Kingdom Come or Busiek's Avengers. I haven’t read Busiek’s Avengers, but I kind of think Kingdom Come is as bad as Watchmen. Starting someone off in superhero comics with an Elseworlds book is a bold move. |
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Post by Reptisaurus! on Sept 28, 2024 23:17:48 GMT -5
I agree that a standard edition makes the most sense. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend Watchmen to someone who hasn't read a significant amount of super-hero comics. I love it and think it's one of the very best super-hero comics ever. But you really need a significant background in the tropes of the genre (and preferably a background in the history of comics) to really understand a lot of what Moore is saying. I see your point but I'd counter with "You will miss stuff. That's fine.". I think the reason for Watchmen's Best Superhero Comic reputation is that it does reward focus and you'll almost certainly catch new details on re-reading. There's A LOT there, and I can't imagine reading Watchmen and getting nothing out of it. My caveats are (A) it really is DENSE, with tiny panels and lots of prose sections. I can't think of a more difficult superhero book to read, top-of-my-head and (B) V for Vendetta is better. |
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Post by rich on Sept 29, 2024 2:50:24 GMT -5
If he's on a budget, DC just released the compact edition which collects the whole series for $9.99. It's dimensions are slightly smaller than a standard comic, but's the perfecr discovery edition for someone just starting out exploring comics on a budget. Size comparison... Better still, these compact editions are being stocked by stores like target, so you can get them in person even if there is not a comic shop or bookstore near where you live and you don't want to wait for delivery. -M I spotted a couple of the DC compact editions yesterday- hadn't seen them before. Not a fan of shrinking comics below standard US comic size, but at least they aren't Lone Wolf and Cub tiny! |
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Post by rich on Sept 29, 2024 2:56:01 GMT -5
My caveats are (A) it really is DENSE, with tiny panels and lots of prose sections. I can't think of a more difficult superhero book to read, top-of-my-head and (B) V for Vendetta is better. It's not an easy read if you read the Pirate prose story, that is true. I read Watchmen first time at about 14 and thought the Pirate section was complete rubbish and a big distraction from the story. I read the book again at maybe 20, start to finish in one sitting, and enjoyed it much more for skipping the Pirate prose entirely- as much as I disliked it as a teen, I couldn't bring myself to read it again. *hears the sounds of knives being sharpened* |
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Post by rich on Sept 29, 2024 3:07:48 GMT -5
I'm with Slam... I wouldn't give Watchmen to someone who's not a comic fan.. it is not a starter book. I'd go with something like Kingdom Come or Busiek's Avengers. That's interesting- I personally love those two, but I think a lot of that is because of the nostalgia factor. Would a newbie appreciate all the little bits that I do? In the past I've handed out copies of DKR to friends that showed some interest in comics, and that seems to be a love/hate book. Mostly love, at least, but I don't want to scare anyone else off, and Watchmen has that name value and cachet that people can open their mind to comics as "proper literature". (Plus the absence of 'childish' characters they're familiar with can help). When I was at university, all the English Lit students were asked to buy copies of Maus- that helped open the comic book floodgates for a few of my friends there. It's not exactly fun to read, though, so the appeal is more literate than escapism. |
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Post by MRPs_Missives on Sept 29, 2024 3:09:36 GMT -5
I spotted a couple of the DC compact editions yesterday- hadn't seen them before. Not a fan of shrinking comics below standard US comic size, but at least they aren't Lone Wolf and Cub tiny! While longterm readers may not like the shrinking of the size, it is the size/format that is dominating the YA book trade market for graphic novels currently and sells better than larger formats. And for new readers, the size/price combo can be a draw. Portability, readability and affordability in a single product is a winning combination in the current book market. Add to it availability outside destination niche markets of the direct market and you have another factor that can lead to success. I've heard this format has done especially well for DC at airport bookshops where all of hose factors come into play with the customer base that would be buying there. Again, the market has evolved since the 70s/80s/90s/early00's so products have to evolve to succeed in the current marketplace, not be judged by outmoded standards of previous markets that no longer exist. -M |
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Post by rich on Sept 29, 2024 3:26:02 GMT -5
I spotted a couple of the DC compact editions yesterday- hadn't seen them before. Not a fan of shrinking comics below standard US comic size, but at least they aren't Lone Wolf and Cub tiny! While longterm readers may not like the shrinking of the size, it is the size/format that is dominating the YA book trade market for graphic novels currently and sells better than larger formats. And for new readers, the size/price combo can be a draw. Portability, readability and affordability in a single product is a winning combination in the current book market. Add to it availability outside destination niche markets of the direct market and you have another factor that can lead to success. I've heard this format has done especially well for DC at airport bookshops where all of hose factors come into play with the customer base that would be buying there. Again, the market has evolved since the 70s/80s/90s/early00's so products have to evolve to succeed in the current marketplace, not be judged by outmoded standards of previous markets that no longer exist. -M Good points. You see more kids/YA comics in small size now, as well as all the Manga, of course. The only thing I'd argue is that most of those were created with the intention of being printed at a smaller size. Also, far fewer characters are needed when printed for a Japanese or Chinese audience than alphabet-based languages. Too many words on a page leads to an uncomfortably small font size- which kids/YA smaller-sized books wisely avoid. I definitely see why smaller/cheaper books sell more at airports, though. I used to fly A LOT and would occasionally end up buying new books at airports- size was certainly a factor in my choice, considering the horribly strict limitations on free hand luggage applied by many airlines. |
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