It’s possible that it could be some comics are only viewed online and can not be downloaded, but that’s just me talking.

Don't know, maybe having the paper feeling and seeing the images in eye to eye is a nice feeling, my opinion

It feels great publishing something to a physical form - And even nicer seeing it in someones house. I think fans of things like being able to be surrounded by things they enjoy - At least that's how it is to me. I have a huge, huuugeee book and comic collection :)

It's just nice to have physical media. It also guarantees access should something happen. At least from a preservations angle.

Not just owning, digital repositories depends from an external income to exist, a failure on their servers or simply the business model not being profitable enough and that copy is gone (more relevant if the autor or the original copy is no longer available)
Also could be the quality of the printing service, hard covers and detailed printing is much more valuable than pulp-printed and cheap thin plastic cover

It's a similar thing with movies and tv shows on streaming services: if you don't own a physical copy of the movie or show, you don't really own it at all. Having a physical copy guarantees that you will always be able to watch your favorite movies without having to worry about streaming services, and I'm sure people would like to have physical copies of books and comics too.

Unless It's stored on a floppy, or a VHS. Floppies lose magnitisation after several years and VHS tape can erode. Same for CD-Roms, an example being the Gex.Jr prototype where the CD was In pretty bad condition and a miracle the data could be retrived completely Intact (?). Same can happen to paper, It can age overtime and become quite fragile, and Ink which can entually lose color (An example being old doll shops I once saw that was abandoned for years, I think It was a doll shop.). Most of the time this shouldn't be a problem If said physical media Is kept In Ideal conditions.

I prefer digital copies of everything because they don't get dogeared and turn brown. I almost never buy paper unless it just isn't available otherwise. I'll buy a PDF of an online comic I like but only if it's higher resolution than the online.

Well there’s a fear that the old copies will be edited for ‘MODERN AUDIANCES’.

Some people will enjoy paying a small amount of money to get a hard, physical copy as a way to support someone's work. They might already know the comic but to get it in one's hand is another thing than reading it on a screen.

To some people, it is also nice that they can support someone's work and get sometving they can touch in return. Put on a nice shelf.

To have something printed in high quality (hard cover, etc.) also usually takes a project to a whole other level. It isnt "just" an online comic that could vanish at any moment. It becomes a finished art book people can own and get in their hands. Or gift to a friend. The art and very hard work you've done for it gets a second life. As an artist it is also an incredible feeling to see your work printed :)

Add to this the rarity/limited editions effects. Self published projects are often a one time edition. And many people love these.

But yes overall, I would think of it more as a way to support an artist's work than just "oh duh I've already read that online"
I'd definitely be more like "oh I remember reading and loving that comic online, would love to get a physical version!"

I like to have them in my hands. I can lie down, lounge in the chair, sit at my desk, sit outside? Granted, I can do that with my phone or a tablet, but those things will eventually annoy me with a message, or something else.

With a physical copy, I can be alone with the characters, and nobody else to bother me.

Also, I can leave physical copies on my shelf for guests and family to look at. It's a lot easier for someone like my sister to pick up a hard copy and leaf through it.

That said, I *do* like having digital copies as well. And if I really like the online comic, I'll buy the hard copies too, just to have them on hand, as well as supporting the artist.

i like digital copies to buy to support artists. just dont like physical copies taking up space. if its free online, i would still buy it if i liked it, a convenient pdf.