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In the age of digital comics, we are all comic book fans

In the age of digital comics, we are all comic book fans

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But some comics will always be better in print

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With the Age of Ultron Marvel movie tearing up the box office, it's easy to forget that comics weren't always easy to access or well regarded. Modern comics have come a long way. Gone are the days when it was considered an anomaly to see someone reading a comic book on the subway, in a park, or in a coffee shop. But comics (including graphic novels and manga) certainly haven't stagnated as a result. They're becoming more diverse, both in content and in audience, and they're broaching topics that would have been unthinkable a few years ago. In some ways you have to thank technology, because what's increasingly noticeable is the way in which people are reading comics.

Comics are increasingly the thing you read on your phone or tablet

The truth is that comics are increasingly the thing you read on your phone or tablet, and store in the cloud. Sure, lots of comics fans still read in print, but the digital world is booming. To understand the relationship between print and digital, we talked to comics theory guru Scott McCloud, Comixology founders John Roberts and David Steinberger, and Symbolia creative director and webcomic creator Joyce Rice.

And in case you haven't noticed: Top Shelf is back! This episode is the first in a four-part series that will explore how technology is changing our lives. We can't wait to show you what we've got in store.