Do you have prejudice against B&W books?

by **ouvidizer** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 7:30 pm

I have huge issues with Black and White books. If i know beforehand a given book is B&W i'll probably skip it. I don't know why, i absolutely love the art on every B&W book i own (not that many).

My reaction when i first got "I Kill Giants" (that should be book of the year btw) was "crap... B&W" and i left it until there was nothing else on the read pile.

Same thing happened to Auschwitz and it has some gorgeous art, among others.

I have little to no reason to dislike B&W books but i can't help it but to have a negative felling about them, at least until i decide to pick them up and really look at them.

I know i've passed many possibly good books because of this, but its something i have to keep fighting.

Do you have the same problem or B&W is not even something you "notice" when you decide to buy a book?

by **JaySeaver** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:44 pm

I won't say I don't notice it, but I don't really favor one over the other. It's just a matter of learning to appreciate different approaches, no different than watching silent/black & white/subtitled movies.

by **Fazhoul** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 1:35 am

I prefer books in color but I don't have a problem with b&w. I do have a problem with color books being reprinted in b&w. I understand the need for low cost reprints but I would prefer something along the lines of DC's "Chronicles" series instead of the "Showcase Presents" and "Essential" series.

by **rockieman** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:29 am

Crap art is crap art regardless of color, same for good art.

Certain stories may actually benefit from being told in B&W, as long as the art team knows how to work in that medium. Shading takes on a much bigger role, and can really evoke certain feelings in the reader that the writer is going for.

For the OP, are you averse to B&W films/tv, as well? Not just new stuff, but older movies/tv that were made before color was affordable. Will you not watch The Honeymooners or I Love Lucy because they're in B&W? Will you avoid Hitchcock movies because of it?

by **Reliant** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:39 am

As a big-time manga reader, I definitely don't have anything against b&w books...but, I would be hesitant to pick up a book that costs the same (if not more) than a fully-colored book with the same amount of pages though. It would really depend on whether I love that particular title regardless of its format or price...

by **ouvidizer** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:52 pm

rockieman wrote:For the OP, are you averse to B&W films/tv, as well? Not just new stuff, but older movies/tv that were made before color was affordable. Will you not watch The Honeymooners or I Love Lucy because they're in B&W? Will you avoid Hitchcock movies because of it?

I'm not saying B&W is bad, on the contrary, i love my B&W books, the thing is, my first impression when i pick up something new or read the solicitations and see its in B&W my immediate reaction is skip it.
I know i'm wrong, and the few cases i managed to get passed that i ended up really enjoying the book.

I simply don't understand why i have that reaction.

Funny thing is, reading old Mandrak books doesn't bother me at all the lack of color.

by **ouvidizer** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:54 pm

Fazhoul wrote:I prefer books in color but I don't have a problem with b&w. I do have a problem with color books being reprinted in b&w. I understand the need for low cost reprints but I would prefer something along the lines of DC's "Chronicles" series instead of the "Showcase Presents" and "Essential" series.

I fully agree, art made with full color in mind is just ugly and unfinished in B&W. I really dislike the Essential series for that.

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