In Search of…COMICS!

[note: I meant to post this the day I wrote it, but time happened.]

So, I kinda like comics. I like to read them and make them and think about them. To read them, though, I generally have to buy them first.

Poking around in the Comixology app on my tablet, I found a Marvel preview thingy that included, among other upcoming titles, a few pages from the new Moon Knight #1 by writer Warren Ellis, penciler/inker Declan Shalvey, and colorist Jordie Bellaire. It looked really interesting, and that’s saying something since I haven’t been reading many new comics lately. Here’s a little something about it , courtesy of Albert Ching over at Comic Book Resources. I thought I’d give it a shot, and so I did a search in the app for the series and got…

Buh? Weird. It seems to me I should be able to pre-order a digital copy of a comic from Comixology, or at least let them know I want it and get some kind of notification from them when it becomes available. I posted about this on twitter, and here’s what happened:

It was great that I got an official response so quickly, and that the support person had actual info for me, but ultimately I’m still stuck with a comic I want to read – preferably digitally – but can’t put in an order for through Comixology. Sure, I could write myself a note or put the release date on my Google calendar or something, but what if i want a bunch of comics that aren’t out yet? That’s gonna crowd up the Google calendar, or crowd something else with yet another list or shamble of post-its.

Thinking further, I decided to “search up” (as my kids say) the title on some of the better-known websites where one can order new comics. Here’s what happened:

I was a little surprised by this, since Amazon generally excels at allowing you to pre-order things. Oh well. What’s next…

Discount Comic Book Service was my source for new comics for a few years. I was very happy with their service, although their interface is a little clunky. But, sadly, no Moon Knight #1 there for me. Next!

MyComicShop was the next place I thought of. Don’t get me wrong – I’m positively tickled that I can choose ” ’70s Avengers” as my personal theme for their site, but….they got nothin’. But hey – at least #1 is listed there! I’m making headway! I click on the listing for #1 and…

Well, I can let them know I want it. That’s something. I’ll keep that in mind, but who else can I turn to?

Hmm. Fact Files, eh?

Ugh. Okay. Things From Another World, you’re up at bat. I turn to TFAW regularly for names of creators on comics, because they often have more info than even the publishers’ own websites do. Soo…

Ooo! I click on the listing for #1…

Yikes! Today’s my last day to order #1, at least through them. TFAW might be making some money off me today! I can’t help but notice that I can subscribe to it, “watchdog” it (whatever that is), and add it to a wishlist – all this for a title only one other site is even listing.

(Westfield Comics – who I also relied on for my comics many years ago – won’t let me see all the listings without signing in. It’s an adult content screening procedure which I appreciate in principle, but I don’t think I should have to register on their site just to see a listing.)

Comixology is missing a big opportunity here. I would have pre-ordered right then and there at the beginning of my search if the option had existed. I’m betting it would have cost me less, too. TFAW may get my money for being so thorough and so complete.

But you know what’s really weird?

Marvel’s own site doesn’t even list it. What the-?!