Fantagraphics Collected edition vs Dark Horse Saga

[Mormegil]

I'm sure this has been talked about here but i just can't seem to find it. I own new versions of the digest size fantagraphics books and i've been thinking about buying the paperback collected edition. One reason would be to save shelf space and the other is the larger artwork.

I was wondering if anyone here had read the paperback version of the Fantagraphics collection and how it held up. Was there a lot of spine creasing and such? I've read through three of the Saga books and they've all held up nicely as far as spine damage.

How would you compare the quality of the two versions and is the Fantagraphics collection the same size as the Saga books?

I've read through most of the series twice and i'll probably starting reading it a third time by the end of the year. I wouldn't want to buy something just to have it fall apart two reads later.

[jabba359]

I wish I could help, but have the hardback version. I've been thinking about picking up a paperback "reading" copy of the Fantagraphics collection, so am also looking forward to hearing some thoughts on the durability.

The two reviews on Amazon addressing durability aren't too helpful:

You get two large volumes that are very sturdy. Mine did not crease during reading which was great.

The pages are glued and the spines slightly on the thin side, so I'm not sure how durable these will be in the long run for people buying these for reading rather than for bookshelf decoration. The glue does seem pretty thick, but the spine already has some creases from just the first few reads (and the kid I got this for is pretty delicate with his books, we're not folding these in half like a phone book). So far no issues and only time will tell with durability though.

[Loopy]

I was wondering if anyone here had read the paperback version of the Fantagraphics collection and how it held up. Was there a lot of spine creasing and such? I've read through three of the Saga books and they've all held up nicely as far as spine damage.

I've read through my copies twice and there has been no spine damage. I'm always careful with my books to avoid spine damage, but this didn't require any special handling or anything.

How would you compare the quality of the two versions and is the Fantagraphics collection the same size as the Saga books?

The Fantagraphics collection is pretty much the same height, and a little bit thinner (maybe by an issue or two) than the Saga books.