The 4-issue arc

[nycjadie]

The TPB changed the way people write comic books the same way cable television series and binge watching changed the way people write non-sitcom tv shows.

[David_Cody]

Very interesting topic. I would consider myself to be an "old school" comic reader and collector. Back in the early 80's, I had Marvel mail me both Amazing Spider-Man and my fav ROM. I loved the fact that there wasn't this EXTREME Marvel event where I had to collect 100 issues to understand a story line.

Things were just simpler then and i.e.....better.

I personally do not like the four-issue story-arc formula. I have ZERO use for it. Just tell a damn story. Just tell it well and keep me interested from month-to month.

I have purposefully not bought many TPB's due to this reDONKerous paradigm.

But I realize, this is my opinion.

[Shadowman99]

Just tell a damn story. Just tell it well and keep me interested from month-to month.

Totally with you on this one. Like I said before, I don't care if a particular arc takes a single issue to resolve or 100 - as long as it keeps me entertained along the way, make an arc as long as it needs to be.

Someone mentioned that 'mini arcs' in most VEI comics fall into a larger 'whole arc', and that this achieves the best of both. I don't disagree with this at all, but it still bugs me that to some extent the events of a portion of a 'whole arc' have to fit a 'mini arc' format for the sake of putting a TPB on the shelves. Perhaps my problem is with TPBs instead then - why can't TPBS have a non-standard format? Why can't any given TPB consist of three issues, or four, or five, or six, or seven, or eight, or ten (etc), or more to suit the story that's being told from start to end?

[nonplayer]

Gold key turok was a full story each issue and I loved it. It's a collection of adventures. Miss the old way. Really don't like 4 story arks but Like how valiant did the Valiant to go with a story.

[Bl00dsh0t]

I like one-and-done stories that have a beginning, middle, and end in a single issue that are still linked to a broader continuity and overarching narrative. The #0's fit this perfectly. Bloodshot #7 (the Harbinger hunter story pre Harbinger Wars) is another good example.

But like others - I just want something that keeps me coming back each month. If the titles are too trade focused I'm more likely to skip the monthly buys and pick up trades...(but I prefer the monthly format)

[jasont215]

Single issue stories don't translate as well to movies

[erwinrafael]

Just tell a damn story. Just tell it well and keep me interested from month-to month.

Totally with you on this one. Like I said before, I don't care if a particular arc takes a single issue to resolve or 100 - as long as it keeps me entertained along the way, make an arc as long as it needs to be.

Someone mentioned that 'mini arcs' in most VEI comics fall into a larger 'whole arc', and that this achieves the best of both. I don't disagree with this at all, but it still bugs me that to some extent the events of a portion of a 'whole arc' have to fit a 'mini arc' format for the sake of putting a TPB on the shelves. Perhaps my problem is with TPBs instead then - why can't TPBS have a non-standard format? Why can't any given TPB consist of three issues, or four, or five, or six, or seven, or eight, or ten (etc), or more to suit the story that's being told from start to end?

Because it gives the TPB-only readers, the engine of growth of the dying comic book industry, a standardized product with a standard price and a standard length of content and a standard release date. The same way that you don't want your individual issue to change from 15 to 20 to 30 then 22 pages every issue, and shift from different prices every issue, TPB readers want to know what to expect every four months. Basically, the standardized TPB has replaced the standardized single issue.

[Shadowman99]

Just tell a damn story. Just tell it well and keep me interested from month-to month.

Totally with you on this one. Like I said before, I don't care if a particular arc takes a single issue to resolve or 100 - as long as it keeps me entertained along the way, make an arc as long as it needs to be.

Someone mentioned that 'mini arcs' in most VEI comics fall into a larger 'whole arc', and that this achieves the best of both. I don't disagree with this at all, but it still bugs me that to some extent the events of a portion of a 'whole arc' have to fit a 'mini arc' format for the sake of putting a TPB on the shelves. Perhaps my problem is with TPBs instead then - why can't TPBS have a non-standard format? Why can't any given TPB consist of three issues, or four, or five, or six, or seven, or eight, or ten (etc), or more to suit the story that's being told from start to end?

Because it gives the TPB-only readers, the engine of growth of the dying comic book industry, a standardized product with a standard price and a standard length of content and a standard release date. The same way that you don't want your individual issue to change from 15 to 20 to 30 then 22 pages every issue, and shift from different prices every issue, TPB readers want to know what to expect every four months. Basically, the standardized TPB has replaced the standardized single issue.

I absolutely appreciate what you're saying about people desiring a standardised product. I suppose my question now becomes 'Why can't or won't people break away from the idea of a standardised product'? I still just don't see why there *has* to be a standardised form for the telling of a comic book story. To me it's like trying to push a square peg through a round hole - it feels to me like there's a fundamental flaw in the practice that's obvious to me and just isn't apparent to others. I'm not saying that's the case of course, just how this idea 'feels' to me. I guess I ought to start reading indies instead of mainstream stuff

Also, if TPBs are the "...engine of growth..." for this industry, why don't comic companies just ditch the monthly format altogether and just publish TPBs instead? Why doesn't that happen?

Just to be clear I'm not trying to rub you up the wrong way here, I'm just trying to express my thoughts a bit and kick the conversational ball about a bit. I'm struggling to accept that things *have* to be done a certain way.