I’m trying really hard to ‘get’ comic books. Over the last two years I’ve read most of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman, The Watchmen, and a collection of the best Batman books (The Dark Night Returns, Hush, Year One, The Long Halloween, The Killing Joke, Arkham Asylum). I’ve enjoyed most of these stories, but I still don’t think I understand.
As a recent example, I got issue #1 of a new Star Wars comic in a Loot Crate. I read and enjoyed it, but didn’t think too much of it. And then I see that the book has sold over 1 million copies. And I read this rave review. And I don’t really understand. I can’t imagine paying $30 for a year’s worth of issues. I really dislike the short lengths of the stories (around ~24 pages). I noticed while reading the larger volumes how surprised I was by where the individual issues are broken up. I think the breakdown might be in the artwork. I enjoy the visual storytelling, but I don’t spend much time looking at the details of the art. I know the art is probably the most difficult part to produce, and part of the reason comics are so expensive. (I imagine the other reason is low circulation).
I don’t think I’ll ever become a regular reader of comic books, but I’ll probably look for the bound volumes from time to time.