comics on c-d rom

[ISPYSHHHGUY]

I've just started doing something I vowed I would never bother with;

-----ordering and buying comics on c-d rom. I find this great for rediscovering comics I would probably never revisit again otherwise: for example, I quite liked the VULCAN reprint comics from 1975-76, but I'm not convinced I would buy them again. It's been great to revisit them, they're just how I remember them, a great trip down memory lane, some of the more garish events part of the mid-70s appeal.


This method of collecting comics has it's undoubted advantages: it's obviously cheaper, and takes up a hell of a lot less space. You get the basic essence of the artwork, and the resolution is certainly clear enough for me [and I'm a stickler for these matters] . My comics collection is pretty modest compared to some, [a few hundred] and space in my small flat is valuable----cd-roms offer a more practical solution.


The downside is obviously that reading comics using computer read-out is clumsy and less comfortable, and it is nowhere near as enjoyable or as 'authentic' as having the actual paper item in front of you. I had to download PDF Abobe reader to view the material, and it works fine, but there is a noticable jitter as you scroll down---it's certainly readable however.


I have fond memories of TV 21 from the 60s, and the early issues especially are pretty expensive: I don't own a single copy, but I'd love to see it again. I have just ordered the complete first 3 years issues [and beyond] on a single disc, for under a mere fiver, and this will more than likely do my requirements.


Similarly, I'm less than likely to buy physical copies of WARLORD or MISTY at all, but to see these on c-d rom will give me the basics, and I may well go down this route.


Whoever scans this stuff must spend ages, but it saves me the bother----I doubt if it's legal for copyright issues however, although the IPC logo is clearly copyrighted on the disk I have.

[philcom55]

I've got several dodgy American discs but I'm not aware of many UK ones other than TV21 and Eagle. Has somebody started collecting titles like Misty and Warlord as well?

To be honest I find them useful for reference but I doubt if I'll ever get the hang of reading them like the 'real thing'.

- Phil R.

[ISPYSHHHGUY]

There's a few on ebay at the moment, Phil:

LINKS REMOVED.

Sorry ISPY, we can't have links of this type on the forums.

I think a lot of us know these DVD's exist and that there are websites and projects around that deal with scans of this ilk. But we have to refrain from linking to links like this.

I hope you understand and accept our concerns.

Many thanks,

Al

[Raven]

I wonder, though ... should the forum be linking to and promoting illegal, pirated material?

[philcom55]

There's a few on ebay at the moment, Phil

So there are!

Personally I'd have thought it's a bit risky to sell this kind of thing on ebay.

- Phil R.

[Phoenix]

Personally I'd have thought it's a bit risky to sell this kind of thing on ebay.

I agree, Phil, and I doubt whether Thomsons will have sanctioned the Warlord DVD Rom, the only one there from their stable, as far as I can see.

[Lew Stringer]

I can't believe any forum member would think it's ok to promote piracy.

This is one reason why it's not financially viable for publishers to produce archive editions of old comics, or invest in their own digital comics program. No wonder those hardback TV21 collections ceased.

Those archives on disc are 100% illegal, made by copyright-infringing pirates. Piracy is damaging the comics industry.

I understand there used to be (or perhaps still is) an online group that even offered downloads of the latest Dandy, Beano,etc. Anyone with the sense of entitlement to download new issues is sticking the boot in to what comics industry we have left. And when it's all gone they'll point the finger anywhere but home.

Publishers are usually fine with blogs showing scans of selected pages for historical purposes, but when it comes to offering complete comics, that's taking the mickey. Those that descend a stage further and sell CD's of full runs of comics are actually risking prosecution. I hope they feel it's worth it.

[paw broon]

These cd-roms are completely illegal, as has been said. I'm not sure if, even without any being produced or bought, publishers would reprint old British comic runs. Although why those publishers, or copyright holders, can't produce their own cd-roms is a mystery. I'm sure Lew could shed some light on this question. After all the stuff exists in their files (to cover myself I'll qualify that by adding "some") and if a pirate can make money, why can't the copyright holders. If it's on the grounds of, "too much trouble for a small return", then I do wonder if there could be an argument made for pirated material being released, however tenuous that argument might be. How do collectors and students of the genre find, store and pay for original paper copies?
If anyone is at a Collectormania or similar, have a look for lots of these cd-roms on dealers tables. You wont have to look far. I can guarantee there will be at least one dealer at the next Glasgow Collectormania with them prominently displayed, although most of them will contain American non-pd material incl. DC and Marvel.
Please don't jump all over me for asking the question as I do not condone this activity. But it is a valid point for discussion.

(Once again, I've said this elsewhere on this site but it bears repeating - if anyone is tempted to buy discs of PD American comics, DON'T. There are sites where thousands of PD American titles can be downloaded freely and legally)

[Tin Can Tommy]

This is one reason why it's not financially viable for publishers to produce archive editions of old comics, or invest in their own digital comics program. No wonder those hardback TV21 collections ceased.

They do show there is a market for archive editions of old comics though.

On another point doesn't ebay have rules against selling pirated material they should simply shut down the accounts of those selling blatantly pirated materials. I dont like the idea of people profiting from piracy. Although there are some ocassions when I feel piracy, but not profiting from it, is acceptable.

[paw broon]

"On another point doesn't ebay have rules against selling pirated material they should simply shut down the accounts of those selling blatantly pirated materials. I dont like the idea of people profiting from piracy. Although there are some ocassions when I feel piracy, but not profiting from it, is acceptable." TinCanTommy

Agreed.

[ISPYSHHHGUY]

Oops--sorry, Al! You can remove this entire thread if you like, it's OK by me.


I would love to own a stack of TV 21 but artificially-high collector's items prices make this impossible for someone of my limited income. I would happily pay a fiver for the privelige of having a proper look through the contents, and that's what I am doing here........nor can I buy an affordable set of official reprints of this comic, because they are not forthcoming. These inflated prices on ebay for the old comics are benefitting the 'middlemen' dealers only, and not the original creators.


Similarly, I had to spend countless hours making my own home-made copies of BBC comedy series THE GOODIES, simply because the BBC are dragging their heels releasing the material. I made these discs for my own satisfaction, and sent copies out free of charge to genuine enthusiasts, at no profit [in fact at a financial loss] to myself.



I won't be promoting this sort of thing again, but I will say that without this, er, 'service, a lot of these works would probably never be seen again, in any format, by myself , and presumably other less-than-rich fans in the future. It just isn't practical or affordable.

I see what you all mean regarding copyright laws, but isn't blatant profiteering by dealers equally reprehensible?


So: which is the lesser of the two evils?

[Phoenix]

How do collectors and students of the genre find, store and pay for original paper copies?

Being both a collector and a student of the genre, Paw, I feel qualified to respond to your question. I find the paper copies on eBay or at antique fairs, I pay for them with money, and I store them in one of a number of empty spaces somewhere appropriate in my house.

[Phoenix]

I dont like the idea of people profiting from piracy. Although there are some ocassions when I feel piracy, but not profiting from it, is acceptable.

This is an interesting point you are making, Tin Can. However, could you please outline for us some examples of when exactly you feel that piracy is acceptable.

[ISPYSHHHGUY]

If a Jew was to produce a fake passport to SS officials in order to leave Nazi Germany, this, to me at least, would be acceptable piracy, even if a Jewish publisher produced mass copies of illegal passports. In fact, the more pirated copies the better!


Sorry, Al, if I'm promoting piracy in this post as well]


Although this would be illegal under the law of the time, I would have no problem in turning a blind eye to something like this. In fact, I'd probably live to regret reporting such an act to the authorities. It would trouble my sense of morals......

[philcom55]

I'm no lawyer but I'd guess that a technical case could be made against reselling any comics to a second party. In a way this infringes the publisher's copyright, and discourages reprint editions, just as much as CDs do - the only real difference is a matter of scale (and I doubt if the person who sells most of those American discs in the UK makes a great deal of profit from them; certainly not enough to tempt a legitimate publisher. The last I heard he couldn't even afford to replace his decrepit old van!).

On the other hand I do feel as though the whole copyright system is on the verge of crumbling beneath our feet - and that's something that everybody (but especially artists and writers) will suffer from in the long run. This is particularly noticeable in the case of films, games and modern American comics where certain young people of my acquaintance make no secret of the fact that, to them, the internet means never having to pay for anything!

In some ways it's not a million miles away from the current argument about the morality of getting a discount for paying 'cash in hand'.

- Phil Rushton