The Sidekick Report - Comic Shop Basics: Formats

A question we get at our store all the time is "What's the difference between a 'graphic novel' and a 'trade paperback'"? It's not always an easy answer. People tend to use the two interchangeably and this can lead to some confusion, especially among those folks who are new to comics, or returning to them after a long absence.

At our store, we usually explain the various formats available to customers using the following terms: Single Issues, Trade Paperbacks/Hardcovers, and Original Graphic Novels. Let's take a look at all three.

Single Issues, sometimes called 'floppies' are the backbone of the comic industry. These will usually be presented in either a serialized format, which means it is one part of a multi-issue story arc, or as a 'one-shot' - a self-contained short story involving the series characters. Normally (when the publishers ship on time) single issues come out once a month, and are usually around 22 pages in story length.

Lots of Single Issues at Stadium!

This is the format most comic fans collect, for a couple of reasons. First, most of the major comic titles are released first in this format, so single issues are convenient for those who do not like to wait long periods of time before finding out what's happening in their favorite titles. Second, if you are a collector, single issues will hold more value over time.

In this format, the printing number can have an effect on value. A comic can go into multiple print runs when the first printing sells out. Usually the first printing is the most valuable. Also, some titles offer variant or incentive covers to retailers that are often worth more than the original cover. For example, this past year DC Comics offered a 1-in-200 variant cover for the first issue of "Blackest Night". This meant retailers would receive this issue if they ordered 200 copies of the regular cover. Variant covers are rarer than the regular version, and therefore worth more to collectors.

Trade Paperbacks and Hardcovers collect several single issues of a series into one book. This format is usually available in stores 1-3 months after the story arc ends in the single issue format. The big two publishers have got into the habit of releasing the more expensive hardcover version first, followed by a softcover version some time later, much like novel publishers would do,

Like Bookshelves? Get Trades & Hardcovers!

This format is geared towards non-collectors, new readers, and those who enjoy reading the whole story arc in one setting. The printing number usually has no effect on value. Trade paperbacks and hardcovers are great for those who love to put books on bookshelves, and not in white comic storage boxes. Stories are usually available to purchasers long after they have appeared in single-issue format, whereas years ago, if you missed a crucial story line in monthly form, you had to hunt through back issues and shell out big bucks to find out what happened!

Recently, publishers have been trying to get single-issue readers to also purchase the trade or hardcover of stories they may already own by including extras in the collected versions, such as character sketches and artwork, scripts, and even alternate covers.

Original Graphic Novels (OGNs) are lengthier stories that were never published in single issue format. They are first sold to the public in either hard or soft covers. A prime example of this format is the critically acclaimed 'Joker' by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo, which has been a commercial success for DC Comics in the post-Dark Knight era. Vertigo has been pushing its 'Vertigo Crime' series of noir-esque OGNs such as 'Filthy Rich' and 'Dark Entries'.

Joker OGN by Brian Azzarello & Lee Bermejo

OGNs target both new and regular comic readers, but it is the new comic reader that DC Comics will be targeting with their recently announced 'DC Earth One' series of OGNs. These books will re-launch the characters of Superman and Batman with new, updated origin stories that are intended to bring in new readers who may be scared away from the traditional storylines due to 70 plus years of continuity. The announcement of the 'Earth One' line of books shows how important long-form comics have become in recent years.

Visit your local comic shop to get great story recommendations for all three formats!

- Kevin

Kevin Hickey and Rob Sinnott are the owners of Stadium Comics in Brampton, Ontario. Check them out on their website at www.sidekickcomics.ca or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/stadiumcomics