nroa9882
06-07-2007, 12:02 AM
I think this is a controversial subject and I just wanted to weigh in my opinion and see others as well.
I started reading comics sometimes in the 90s. I know my first superhero comics was Justice League Europe #41, but I had been reading Archie comics and the like before that (does that count?). At the time I started, I knew no one else who read comics.
I later convinced my best friend at the time to try some comics and quickly converted him into a full blown addict. The beauty was that we got to read double the comics we could afford. He was a big batman guy and bought all the bat books whereas I was a big superman guy and bought all those books. Then each week we'd switch.
Well after going to college way far away(Michigan for me and Chicago for him), we tried to keep up. When we were both home for breaks we would pass over massive piles of comics and try to get through them while ignoring our families during Christmas. Soon I moved even farther away (California bound) and it all fell apart. He has since stopped buying comics at all due to lack of funds.
I still go to the comic store every week. I try to feung shui my law school schedule and work schedule so as to leave wednesday open for comics (if not I settle for thursday). I buy over 30 titles a month. I also download comics.
I feel that I can't afford to buy 60 books a month, but why not read the other books anyway. Let me be clear, there is no way I would buy this comic if I couldn't download it. For example, Heroes for Hire? ehh...I'm not that into it. I would never buy one issue, because its just not my book. But will I read it for free off the net...you bet.
And I get it, I'm ripping off writers, artists, and companies. But if I wasn't going to buy it anyway, what harm does it create? I've actually found it gets me buying more books. I feel a lot more comfortable impulse buying random issues. If I go into the store and I see something that I don't buy (but read anyway) and it looks to be a good issue, I'll buy it. But if I hadn't read all the crappy issues before it...I probably wouldn't. Never before would I buy a random issue, because I hate having not full runs (its a problem that unfortunately ebay has been all too helpful is solving to the dismay of my wallet).
My last point involves massive crossovers. I'm sorry, but despite what they say most of the minis or side issues that come with a crossover are not essential at all. Many change nothing. I used to feel pressure to get as many as possible because I felt like I was missing out and then I would be constantly disappointed. Now I can read the main story, pick out the side stuff I enjoy, and peruse the remaining stuff on my computer. And if it seems excited or important, I'll go out and buy it.
Well...I'm not sure I came to a conclusion, but work is over...so I'm out of here. But I just wanted to post on this and see your feelings. Please don't hate me because of it. I only do it because I love comics and can never be reading enough.
I started reading comics sometimes in the 90s. I know my first superhero comics was Justice League Europe #41, but I had been reading Archie comics and the like before that (does that count?). At the time I started, I knew no one else who read comics.
I later convinced my best friend at the time to try some comics and quickly converted him into a full blown addict. The beauty was that we got to read double the comics we could afford. He was a big batman guy and bought all the bat books whereas I was a big superman guy and bought all those books. Then each week we'd switch.
Well after going to college way far away(Michigan for me and Chicago for him), we tried to keep up. When we were both home for breaks we would pass over massive piles of comics and try to get through them while ignoring our families during Christmas. Soon I moved even farther away (California bound) and it all fell apart. He has since stopped buying comics at all due to lack of funds.
I still go to the comic store every week. I try to feung shui my law school schedule and work schedule so as to leave wednesday open for comics (if not I settle for thursday). I buy over 30 titles a month. I also download comics.
I feel that I can't afford to buy 60 books a month, but why not read the other books anyway. Let me be clear, there is no way I would buy this comic if I couldn't download it. For example, Heroes for Hire? ehh...I'm not that into it. I would never buy one issue, because its just not my book. But will I read it for free off the net...you bet.
And I get it, I'm ripping off writers, artists, and companies. But if I wasn't going to buy it anyway, what harm does it create? I've actually found it gets me buying more books. I feel a lot more comfortable impulse buying random issues. If I go into the store and I see something that I don't buy (but read anyway) and it looks to be a good issue, I'll buy it. But if I hadn't read all the crappy issues before it...I probably wouldn't. Never before would I buy a random issue, because I hate having not full runs (its a problem that unfortunately ebay has been all too helpful is solving to the dismay of my wallet).
My last point involves massive crossovers. I'm sorry, but despite what they say most of the minis or side issues that come with a crossover are not essential at all. Many change nothing. I used to feel pressure to get as many as possible because I felt like I was missing out and then I would be constantly disappointed. Now I can read the main story, pick out the side stuff I enjoy, and peruse the remaining stuff on my computer. And if it seems excited or important, I'll go out and buy it.
Well...I'm not sure I came to a conclusion, but work is over...so I'm out of here. But I just wanted to post on this and see your feelings. Please don't hate me because of it. I only do it because I love comics and can never be reading enough.