Both comic books and movies are currently very popular forms of visual entertainment. Movies are a big business: collectively, movies grossed over $ 9.0 billion in 2006. Statistics for the global comic book industry are harder to accurately measure, although the North American comic book market is typically measured at $450 - $550 million per year. Suffice it to say that in terms of revenue, movies seem to dominate comic books.

But comic books continue to be popular, although as more of a niche product than a mass-media product. From the late 1970's to the year 2007, comic books have made a huge impact on the movie industry by providing concepts and materials that have been used to make very successful movies, such as the Superman, Batman, X-Men, and Spider-Man movie series. Clearly comic books have some crossover appeal and clout even if their industry is smaller than movies in general.

Despite the might of the movie industry, comic books do some things better than movies. Here are ten reasons why comic books are superior to movies:

(1) Portability

You can't take a movie with you unless you're willing to spend some money for a video I-Pod or similar media player. Comic books are easy to carry and you can take them anywhere.

(2) Limitless Freedom of Action

Although movies and animation have made massive improvements in the types of action that can be portrayed in movies, pen and ink drawings have virtually no limits. You can draw things that are impossible to reproduce otherwise.

(3) Comic Books Can Be Investments

Older comics (Silver Age and Golden Age) continue to accumulate value and are decent investments. DVDs don't seem to have that kind of growth potential.

(4) Autographs

An autographed comic book is probably more valuable and infinitely cooler than an autographed DVD.

(5) Silly Putty and Children's Entertainment

You can make cool impressions of a comic book page using Silly Putty. Try doing that to a DVD!

(6) More product, more often

Comic books normally provide a monthly supply of material for your enjoyment. How long does it take to make a movie with comparable action and situations? Years!

(7) Exclusive characters

I doubt we'll see Cerebus, Invincible, or the Goon on the big screen any time soon...

(8) Comic books are environmentally friendly

They are made of paper and they are biodegradable. DVDs... will outlast humanity.

(9) Durability

You can read a scratched comic book easier than a scratched DVD... and both last about the same amount of time when subjected to fire.

(10) Practical survival usage

If you need to, you can start a fire with a comic book. It's a lot harder to do with a DVD.

And there you have it. Don't you think you owe it to yourself to buy a comic book today?

Learn more about this author, Mark Dykeman.
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