Sell Me On Usagi Trades

[theGreatMutoh]

After four years of reading Usagi I have almost completed my collection of vol. #3, having only sixteen single issues left to get. However, today while browsing a local comic store I came across book #21, "The Mother of Mountains", so I decided to take a peek. I was very intrigued and impressed with the quality of the collection. I've never been one to collect trades, I usually prefer individual issues. But I think I'm seriously considering making the switch so I was hoping to ask a few questions to the regulars here on the boards. Which do most of you prefer, single issues or trades? Do you collect both? How hard are some of the books to collect, especially older volumes and first prinitngs of the older volumes? Which do you prefer of the trades, the hardcovers or digest sized collections? Any more advice and opinions are welcome. Just trying to get an idea of how costly and time consuming this undertaking might be. Thanks guys!

[Steve Hubbell]

Woo hoo! I get to be the first to answer.....

1. I collect the single issues!
Why? Because they are awesome and I don't want to wait a year between each story. They are also how I started reading Usagi (and comics in general) and they will always be my favorite format.

2. I collect the limited edition s/n hardcovers!
Why? Because they are awesome and they are a great way to re-read whole segments of stories, and they come with the cool tip-in plate with original art, sketch and autograph.

3. I also bought the (now sold-out) 2 volume slip-cased hard-cover omnibus edition from Fantagraphics which reprinted all 7 of the Fantagraphics trades in one massive set.
Why? Because it is a really cool set!

[Maka]

I'm a nut, so take my example for what it is: nutty. And I spend 80% of comic budget on Usagi/Sakai products.

I buy/collect single issues, TPB, hardcovers and digital.

Issues: The comic collector in me likes the traditional format and letters page.
TPB: re-reading stories and easy sharing with friends.
HC: satisfies the collector in me.

All three of these support my local comic book store and local economy and Stan.

The digital comics are new for me and I just buy them when they go on sale. Digital comics are interesting format on the iPhone. They can be accessible in my pocket/phone with a simple download button. Like issues, I get to read the stories as they come out.

But I say you should collect with whatever makes sense to you and fits within your budget and needs. I'm fortunate at this point of life to have a little disposable income and a supportive wife who understands my Usagi/Sakai fandom.

Peace, maka

[Mayhem]

My philosophy is as per Steve. I buy the single issues to keep up with the storyline, and I get the hardcovers because they look really nice, and are limited. And the money goes back to Stan, the nicest man in comics, so it's a win-win there

[Steve Hubbell]

pssss!
I left out the part where I also feed my collecting obsession by buying Usagi in trade paperbacks, comics, and magazines published in Spanish, Polish, French, Croatian, Hungarian, German, Dutch, Portuguese, Czech, Indonesian, Italian, Swedish, and Finnish.....
I'm really nutty!

[Thomas Froehling]

I second Steve and Mayhem; issues and HCs; HCs are sturdy enough to take reading and re-reading without so much tear and wear... plus I collect the sketchbooks (like Steve and Mayhem again) for a very nice insight into Sensei's work process...

Maybe we're a community of nuts, but if so, Steve is the king size coconut )

[plasticplayhouse]

i love the trades! hard cover, soft cover, it doesn't matter to me. i like to keep my traditional comic "collection" bagged and boarded. but when my hunger for large quantities of Usagi rages, i pick up one of my tpb's and quench that hunger in a single sitting. it's like going hungry for several days and finally sitting down to a nice four course meal of your favorite dishes

[yee28]

Comic's because the covers are not reprinted in color.

HB's to read the stories in a whole block. Use to have a TPB's but i don't like how the covers and spine get broken.

Sketchbooks for Stan's behind the sceen/insight

I may also start to buy the digital when Dark Hose puts them on sale.

[tru2gzus]

I love the single comic books. Nothing like the original. I also buy the trade paperbacks as they are nice to read multiple issues and then I don't have to dig up the individual bagged and boarded issues. The trades are easy find though it will take some time to find certain volumes. The first printings will be tougher to find. The value from 1st to later printings doesn't really vary much, it's more of a personal preference. The individual trades can be found fairly cheap $5-7 (S&H included) on Amazon or Ebay though many will be 10 and over for the best condition.
-Sean

[Jubei]

Comics for your monthly fix of Usagi, the always fun letters page, the cool color covers (both front & back)

TPBs for reading overall arcs of the stories. Plus, all of them feature great forewords by other leading comic creators who offer some terrific thoughts on both Stan and Usagi. All of my trades are softcover which works fine for me. I may start tracking down the HCs of my favorite volumes when the budget allows.