Is digital comic books on tablets really an option?

I have been thinking about getting a tablet for quite a while now, primarily for reading documents, organizing and keeping up with social networks while on the commute. Another use for a tablet I have considered is reading digital comics, having tried some on my laptop and found the experience unsatisfactory. Problem is that tablets are expensive and it's not exactly easy to get a hold of one to do some proper testing.
So when I got selected for the PadFone 2 testpilot event one of the first things I did was download the comiXology app and got busy reading some comics. After a few books I decided to try and put down my thoughts in hope of helping others decide if reading comics on tablets is for them and if it is as enjoyable an experience as the traditional way?

For those in a hurry the short answer is no, but it's not really that easy and much depends on why you like comics to begin with. 
Me, I like collecting almost as much as reading, and savouring that new comic book-smell, the un-creased spine and the satisfaction of an (eventually) complete collection lining up on the shelf are all integral parts of my comic book experience. Because of this I'm torn when it comes to digital comics since they are per definition insubstantial and less... well...collectable. This is compensated for somewhat by the convenience of carrying hundreds of comic books with you in a small and versatile package without unnecessary strain on the shoulders and the option to instantly get even more comics anywhere and anytime.

First thing first - The Hardware

These considerations aside there are of course downsides to reading on a digital device, first and foremost of these being the hardware. Depending on the screen of your device, reading outside might prove difficult at best as direct sunlight is like kryptonite to LCD screens. If you are lucky, your device has strong backlighting that makes the display moderately readable even in sunlight, but this will put strain on your battery and potentially shorten the reading session. Neither of these are really things that you have to worry much about with good ol' paperbacks.

The device I tested was a PadFone 2 which is a somewhat different take on the tablet concept, although the particulars of this aren't really relevant to this article. What is however, is that the PadFone 2 adresses both the concerns voiced above with a really bright screen with a dedicated outdoor mode that boosts lighting further, as well as impressive battery life thanks to the extra battery in the tablet dock acting as backup and charger to the one in the phone. Thus, I have had little trouble reading my comics on the commute even by day. Speaking of screens, this is one of those cases where size truly matters. While reading on a 4-5" phone screen  is certainly viable in a pinch, 10" is really the sweet spot as it minimizes the need for zooming and panning in most cases. I've yet to try a 7" inch tablet but I imagine it's still enjoyable providing the screen quality is good. Hardware is also important for a smooth and enjoyable experience without long loading times or lag between pages and comic books that require frequently switching between landscape and portrait mode will lead to frustration on smaller screens and slower devices. Neither of these were issues on the PadFone 2 thankfully, but the device did get very warm and the weight of the thing proved to be a strain on my scrawny nerd-arms after about an hour of reading in bed. Also, the backlighting might strain the eyes after extended periods of time. I have yet to read so much that I have noticed any such undue strain or tiredness of the eyes, but considering how reading on any screen is basically like staring at a lightbulb it's pretty safe to assume that it's more straining than reading printed comics. 

The goods - Where, how and how much?

Another consideration that tends to be an issue with digital goods is the price. The closed nature of services like Amazon, Steam and in this case comiXology can easily lead to unattractive pricing - in some cases vendors even charge more for digital copies which seems utterly absurd and counterproductive to me. So far I've found prices to be quite reasonable from most apps I've loaded on the PadFone, with comiXology standing out as the one with the more generous deals, occasionally even offering prices lower than print. One such example was Locke & Key volume 1 by Joe Hill (it's fantastic by the way, so pick it up!) which I bagged for as little as 5.99$ if memory serves which is almost 10$ cheaper than the current offering from Amazon.com. I also gave Dark Horse a shot but found their pricing to be comparable to the price of printed comics which left convenience as my sole argument for buying through their app. When it comes to what's in the stores both vendors have plenty to offer, even going as far as offering issues and books that are currently out of print which is another good argument for digital comics - they need never really go out of print, at least in theory. Both also offer unlimited downloads of purchases, so no need to worry about comics disappearing on you.

So what's the verdict here? The answer for me at least is that reading comics on my tablet is yet another good use of an already versatile device, but hardly an argument for buying one, and no matter how convenient it is, it can't beat that feeling of a brand new comic book in your hands. On the other hand, if you  value accessibility and conveniance over collecting and you either have a tablet or need another argument to buy one, digital comics might just be what the doctor ordered.
Me? I'm not going either way just yet. If I get it cheaper in digital format, and with that I mean at least a couple of dollars for a paperback, I'll buy it and read it on my tablet, but if the price is roughly the same I prefer to go to the comics shop for printed comics (and enjoy that nerdy atmosphere of those places) that I can put on my shelf, even if it means I have to pay an extra buck or two. I guess I'm just a sucker for that post-comic purchase excitement!