encyclopedia

Trade paperback (comics)

In comics, a trade paperback specifically refers to the periodic collections of the regularly published issues, usually capturing one story arcs in the series. These usually span anywhere between 4 and 12 individual issues, and are usually published about two months after the release of the last issue collected by the paperback.

Contents

Additions

A trade paperback will usually feature some additional artwork, such as alternate cover art or pinup galleries by guest artists, not released in the standard issues. Many feature introductions written by prominent figures, some from outside the world of comics---for instance, The Sandman: Worlds' End features an introduction by author Stephen King.

Omissions

While there have been exceptions, as a general rule of thumb, trade paperback will not feature fan mail, special foil or embossed covers. Where the original serialised format included back-up stories not related to the main arc, these may also be omitted, and, in what is now a largely discontinued practice, it was common in older trade paperbacks to use only small excerpts from certain stories, or to omit pages from the main story related to other subplots.

Readers

As the trade paperback versions are usually slightly cheaper than buying the individual comics and presented without any advertisements at all, many comic book fans choose to hold off on purchasing the individual issues and only follow the stories when they come out in trade. Another benefit of the trade paperback version is that it will be carried by larger suppliers, such as Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble; older story arcs can be found in trade paperback long after they are readily available in issues, as well.

Collectors

Unlike the individual issues, the trade paperback has almost no collector's value, and will probably not appreciate in value, as the releases of the trade paperbacks are not restricted, and more could be printed at any time. While this is beneficial for readers, it means that trade paperbacks are not speculators' items.