‘Compiler’ Kickstarter Aims To Bind Single Issues For Easier Display And Sharing

Even in a comic buying era increasingly defined by digital comics and "waiting" for trades and hardcovers, very few readers will ever completely be able shed single issues or standalone print releases. But that doesn't mean singles must be relegated to the shelfless and largely share-less purgatory of storage. Alex Rodriguez has devised a customizable binding platform called Compiler that allows comic owners to effectively collect the books of their choice (like, say, Jack Kirby's 2001: A Space Odyssey books or Archie's Mighty Mutanimals minis) into a sturdy tome that can be switched up on the fly. Like Iron Man's mid-1990s armor, Compiler is modular.

Compiler binders consist of a number of slat elements, pins, screws and a clear plastic cover to provided user customization. The basic Compiler model is capable of containing up to five comics, which is roughly equivalent to how long limited series run. Those who buy two binders can combine Compiler elements to hold up to 10 issues and so on. The system is somewhat evocative of the large spring-loaded magazine covers you might see in a library or waiting room, but customizable and fitted specifically for most standard-sized comics. Librarians and dentist offices could probably stand to upgrade, actually. As someone who worked in a public library system for nearly a decade shelving, circulating and curating materials, Compiler seems like it could extend the lifespan on single issues considerably.

Rodriguez is seeking $10,000 to produce the binders with a little more than two weeks left for backers to fund the project. The $10 backing level gets backers the spine elements for one binder, the $15 backing level gets backers the binder plus a clear cover and the $20 level gets backers the binder plus a more traditional "hardcover" black cover. High backing levels introduce expansion packs and more binders. Overall the highest level of $100 seems like the best value, getting backers five complete binders with different colored covers. All binders have an estimated shipping date of January of 2014, meaning the project should have a fast turnaround.

[Via Kickstarter]