If you had to chose, would you rather have fans drop comics altogether or download them illegally?

He's not framing his question as a logical fallacy.

In fact, I think it would be interesting to hear an answer.

I'm not a creator, but I think I would prefer to have them not read it. Because then I at least have a chance of continuing to come out with new ideas that might entice more readers, bring them into the fold. If they're just going to take it from me, with no respect or regard for the way that I have offered it, then I have no chance of engaging them as a legitimate, lawful reader.

I think as a creator, I might see some value in having some widely circulated content that is available for free online, so that people can see my work has value, and be enticed and fascinated by it. But I would want that to be under the conditions I have chosen as a creator, and I would want that respected.

I guess as a creator I wouldn't have respect for a reader that rejects my terms, but then repeatedly takes what he wants anyway. It's not fair to the ones who are paying what I ask for my work. It sort of violates that community of mutual respect that I would want out of a readership.

If it's truly a choice between them leaving comics altogether or downloading my books illegal, I would rather they download them. At least my stuff is being read, my audience will grow and it might lead to other purchases.

I fully agree.

The only time I'd see a silver lining is if I was an "up and comer" -- I'd figure, "Okay, at least my name's getting out there." But after a couple years, if I became successful or if I realized I was a niche creator that appealed to a small audience (like Paul Grist or Jay Faerber), any "Pollyanna" feelings I had about it would disappear.

I think I am with Allen on this if I have to accept the premise.

If I'm doing a book for free and not getting paid either way, then download. If I'm getting royalties based on copies sold, then I'd rather they didn't.

Remember, the choice is download or not read comics at all.

If they're not paying, they're not helping the industry at all -- creators still need to make a real living off of comics in order to do them.

Not questioning whether they need to make money, they do. I'm questioning which is worse, leaving comics altogether (and shrinking your base over the years) or downloads.

If the downloaders never buy, they effectively shrink the base of paying customers anyway. It creates the same effect.

If they would never buy, they dont

If you're talking about people who download something they were never going to buy anyway, and not just "everyone downloads and nobody pays", then I'd rather they download. Maybe it piques their interest in something else, or gets them to buy trades of whatever they downloaded later. If it's the latter, it's unsustainable, obviously, since you can't just give everything away unless you're already rich as balls, like Trent Reznor or Radiohead.

If they don't download, it's possible they'll develop a need for stories, and become a purchaser.

I realize the thought experiment is "never this and never that," but I suppose that's where it becomes a bit of a false choice. If I knew they were never, ever, ever going to pay, then I wouldn't care for their readership.

If we're going to entertain the possibility that they one day become a paying customer, I think the better route is for them to not download it for free. I'll be in charge of my own marketing.

I know quite a few people who if they didn't download comics, they would have left it all behind.

Which is fine -- there's no tragedy if they leave it behind. Plenty of things to do with your time and money.

But there's an integrity problem with taking something from a creator, and totally disrespecting the terms he has freely offered.

i get what you're saying, i just wonder if comics will go downhill faster if this didn't keep the interest going.

The whole hope that illegal downloaders will eventually be moved to become legitimate customers seems like a pipe dream. Media companies have reported their revenues have decreased from illegal downloading, even with plenty of legal options available.

Are there any real stats showing a company's revenues have actually increased from illegal downloading creating increased interest?

This is about the Russia thing and Skullkickers, right?

It's an interesting one. I applaud the honesty of the guy asking for the pages, but at the same time..........you know.

I don't know HOW I'd respond to that. A polite no?

I think comics are a different animal since their business is going downhill. Not talking about the IP, just the comics. And I believe that sales were higher for the most downloaded books, whatever that means

Goes with a study earlier in the year which conclued that in general, 'pirates' tend to also buy more legit material than the average non-pirate.