How Long Does It Take to Read a Comic?

[Shadowman99]

I'm trying to do a little research here so if you wouldn't mind taking a moment just to answer the question and provide a bit of feedback it'd be really appreciated:

How long on average do you think it takes you to read a single issue of a standard-length comic?

What affects the amount of time it takes you to read an issue?

[jeremycoe]

It's really hard to nail down an average. Some books take a long time to read and some read very quickly, and both can be appropriate for that particular story. Also, the same issue might take one person 5 minutes and another 30 depending on how long they take to actually absorb the content.

[leonmallett]

It's really hard to nail down an average. Some books take a long time to read and some read very quickly, and both can be appropriate for that particular story.
...

Similar for me, although not always in context of story - some books simply read fast and leave me thinking there is not much meat on the written bone.

I find some variance in my reading of individual issues; anything from 5 minutes to 20 minutes or more. The amount of text is the primary driver to duration for me. However, lack of clarity in storytelling can cause longer reads as I re-read a part to understand something that has not been clearly delineated through text and art.

[nscc]

I chose 10-15, but like others have said, it varies depending on content and clarity of story.

With comics I have to consciously try to read slow and enjoy it while taking in the art. its the combination of both that really do it for me in this medium.

[Tim]

Less than five minutes, but I barely pay any attention to the art usually.

[Shadowman99]

Thanks for your answers fellas

Yeah, I know it's difficult to nail down an average because I totally agree that a lot of the reasons for variance that've been listed here play a part in determining the amount of time it takes to read one comic compared to another.



On another note: C'mon guys, 29 views on this thread and only seven votes on the poll. Just give me a *moment* here and click one of the poll options...

[Burrito Boy]

I went with 10-15. Like Tim, I usually don't pay attention to the art. I prefer "regular" books to comic books so the story is more important to me than the art. But then I feel guilty about ignoring the art so I force myself to slow down and enjoy it, like nscc.

[leonmallett]

Thanks for your answers fellas

Yeah, I know it's difficult to nail down an average because I totally agree that a lot of the reasons for variance that've been listed here play a part in determining the amount of time it takes to read one comic compared to another.



On another note: C'mon guys, 29 views on this thread and only seven votes on the poll. Just give me a *moment* here and click one of the poll options...

Problem is that I would need to pick a few options to accurately reflect my own reading experience.

[Shadowman99]

Thanks for your answers fellas

Yeah, I know it's difficult to nail down an average because I totally agree that a lot of the reasons for variance that've been listed here play a part in determining the amount of time it takes to read one comic compared to another.



On another note: C'mon guys, 29 views on this thread and only seven votes on the poll. Just give me a *moment* here and click one of the poll options...

Problem is that I would need to pick a few options to accurately reflect my own reading experience.

I sympathise, I honestly do!

[jmatt]

Similar for me, although not always in context of story - some books simply read fast and leave me thinking there is not much meat on the written bone.

I find some variance in my reading of individual issues; anything from 5 minutes to 20 minutes or more. The amount of text is the primary driver to duration for me. However, lack of clarity in storytelling can cause longer reads as I re-read a part to understand something that has not been clearly delineated through text and art.

This. But I'd add that if the art is great I linger on every page to drink it all in.

A quick read is 12 minutes, an average is maybe 16 and a 'what the heck is going on' could be 20+. For modern books.

SA Marvel is almost 30 minutes. There was just so much more text back then.

[Tony_H]

15 to 20 minutes. Written by Alan Moore = average doubled. Written by Ron Marz or Geoff Johns = average reduced by two-thirds.

[ShadowTuga]

About 20 minutes for Bronze Age stuff like Claremont's X-Men. Nowadays comics take me 5 to 10, with the exceptions of East of West and Batman that pass the 15 min. mark because of the art.

[Tim]

Price per hour of enjoyment:

5 minute read - $47.88 hr.
10 minute read - $23.94 hr.
15 minute read - $15.96 hr.

It would have been cheaper for me to have taken up hookers as a hobby.

[Shadowman99]

Few more votes coming in now, really appreciate the estimates and feedback fellas

Poor Tim!

[Newton]

Are the people who take longer than 10 minutes translating the comic to a new language?

[jeremycoe]

Are the people who take longer than 10 minutes translating the comic to a new language?

I think most COULD read a comic in 5 minutes, but get a better experience looking at the pictures and otherwise taking our time.

[nscc]

Are the people who take longer than 10 minutes translating the comic to a new language?

I think most COULD read a comic in 5 minutes, but get a better experience looking at the pictures and otherwise taking our time.

Exactly.

[Shadowman99]

Are the people who take longer than 10 minutes translating the comic to a new language?

I think most COULD read a comic in 5 minutes, but get a better experience looking at the pictures and otherwise taking our time.

Exactly.

Haha, no, sorry, no translations from me!

I think that when one indulges in a form of media that's typically 85% pictures it's a bit of an unfortunate thing to forego the art and just read the text. The pictoral 'language of comics' is incredible in itself and is definitely worth spending time on as part of the overall experience I think.

[Tony_H]

Are the people who take longer than 10 minutes translating the comic to a new language?

I think most COULD read a comic in 5 minutes, but get a better experience looking at the pictures and otherwise taking our time.

Exactly.

Haha, no, sorry, no translations from me!

I think that when one indulges in a form of media that's typically 85% pictures it's a bit of an unfortunate thing to forego the art and just read the text. The pictoral 'language of comics' is incredible in itself and is definitely worth spending time on as part of the overall experience I think.

Indeed, especially when one's overall experience includes chemically-enhanced art appreciations!

[Aram]

I actually did a timed test a few weeks back and most for me were at the 5 minute 14 second average mark. Some down to 4 some up at 7, overall though about 5 minutes average. That's why I stick to trades now or wait to read a big stack at a time.

[Shadowman99]

Are the people who take longer than 10 minutes translating the comic to a new language?

I think most COULD read a comic in 5 minutes, but get a better experience looking at the pictures and otherwise taking our time.

Exactly.

Haha, no, sorry, no translations from me!

I think that when one indulges in a form of media that's typically 85% pictures it's a bit of an unfortunate thing to forego the art and just read the text. The pictoral 'language of comics' is incredible in itself and is definitely worth spending time on as part of the overall experience I think.

Indeed, especially when one's overall experience includes chemically-enhanced art appreciations!

[Shadowman99]

I actually did a timed test a few weeks back and most for me were at the 5 minute 14 second average mark. Some down to 4 some up at 7, overall though about 5 minutes average. That's why I stick to trades now or wait to read a big stack at a time.

Wow, you really zip through 'em!

Also, I'm really, really glad to see that a few more votes have landed on the poll now, which is great stuff, thanks guys!

[Cyberstrike]

Most books about 5-10 minutes.
The Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye can take me anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour to finish most times it's about 20-30 minutes to read a single issue of it.