While I have nothing against the monthly issues - especially if one is a collector - I tend to prefer the TPB or hardcover collections. I was always ever in it for the story/reading, so the TPB format was better for me. I'd get a miniseries, then turn it in for store credit once the TPB came out. I'm a big fan of the Marvel Omnibus hardcovers and the Marvel Essentials TPBs. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to drag out a copy of FANTASTIC FOUR #1 to read it - I'd go with the reprint. Another plus for the TPBs is that the art seems to be "cleaned up" compared to the original comic.