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John Vest on the State of Traditional Alt-Comics Publications
posted August 16, 2008
 

I guess today's generation of alt-comics readers just don't read stories in comic book format any more? Maybe with the change of distribution readers of alt-comics currently in their twenties never saw comics in drug stores, grocery stores, etc when they were kids and were turned off by comic shop stereotypes.

I'd almost guess that Black Hole was the last serial alt-comic that readers actually sought out in that format.

A lot of the comics I saw at last year's Small Press Expo seemed to be in book form, mini comics, or items that looked like little art objects. The Adhouse and Fantagraphics tables (if I'm remembering correctly) had the most traditional comic books to be found among the other exhibitors.

I sure will miss Love & Rockets in comic book form but find it easy to understand why the switch was made.

I've also noticed on the revamped Fantagraphics website that the new releases aren't broken down by comics and books any more.

The lack of serial comics out there definitely changed the complexion of my local comic book shop. Twenty years ago I used to go in the comic shop and browse through new titles on the racks published by Kitchen Sink, Fantagraphics, and other independent companies. Today the same shop mainly has the popular corporate titles and they special order Mineshaft for me.