ILLUSTRATING INTERESTS EXPLORING COMIC READERSHIP.docx
Comic readership has evolved significantly with the introduction of digital formats, alongside the traditional print comics. The study examines the comic readership preferences and experiences of university students, focusing on the differences between traditional print and digital formats. The study aims to identify factors influencing their preferences and experiences. The respondents, students from Bachelor of Arts in Literature (BAL) and Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) programs, were selected through random sampling. Initial data indicates that traditional comics are favored due to their sense of nostalgia and digital comics are favored due to enhanced interaction and access. The quantitative results indicate the preference for comic formats among respondents is divided, with a slight inclination towards digital comics. The qualitative analysis reveals the overall validity of the results with key factors affecting their preferences. These factors were further analyzed thematically, showing that students' choices are shaped by both practical and personal considerations. The findings underscore the necessity for publishers and educators to adapt to these evolving preferences to better cater to the diverse needs of comic readers. Hence, this study enlightens people in education field, to appreciate comics as an integral literary and artistic form promoting learning, adding to mediating popular culture.