Daily Comics Digression #30: Paper Chase

Daily Comics Digression #30: Paper Chase

Comic book fans get blue in the face debating the qualities of a particular story line or artist, but one aspect that we take for granted is the quality of the paper upon which they are printed. Comics used to be made with newsprint, just like the funny papers still are today. However,  most mainstream comic books nowadays are made with much heavier, glossier paper that captures color vibrantly.

The consequences of this choice are quickly evident. For one, modern comics are shiny and impressive in how they display their artwork, and the product does not decay in the same way newsprint does. On the other hand, this option is more expensive than previous methods of printing, saddling the already bloated price-point of the finished product even further. In some cases, it may even be easy to damage the heavier paper, compounding problems for would-be collectors.

All is not lost if you prefer your comics to be like your newspapers: cheap and easily ripped. For those of you who want to see more comics return to the good old days of newsprint, Alterna Comics may be just what you're looking for. Check 'em out!