Do The CSBG Reviews Affect Your Reading?

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

If a book gets a good review on CSBG do you check it out, even if you weren't aware/intrested in the book before, or do you only check it out if you are intersted in it already?

For instance, Greg Burgas called Solstice 'phenomenal', so will you buy it if you see it?
(Even Joe Rice couldn't disagree with that review, it was spot on).

I do tend to check out books that get good reviews on CSBG.
Some I buy, some I don't, but I usually have a look through (and sometimes I've just picked it up and added it to the pile).

How about you?

[The Batman]

Not really, but mostly because I don't know that I've ever read one.

[Expletive Deleted]

Not really.

I enjoy reading them, though. Joe's and Brian's, especially.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Not really, but mostly because I don't know that I've ever read one.

Then why would you be on this board, let alone this thread?

[The Batman]

1) To participate in all the discussions that have nothing to do with the reviews.

2) In the hopes that I might get to read a CSBG review at some point.

I can leave if you'd like? ;)

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

1) To participate in all the discussions that have nothing to do with the reviews.

2) In the hopes that I might get to read a CSBG review at some point.

I can leave if you'd like? ;)

No, you can stay, but there's several reviews up on the blog right now http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com .

[stealthwise]

Doesn't affect me all that much, given that I often disagree with the reviews that are up, but I do like to hear about books like Solstice, so that I can check them out for myself and see if I dig 'em.

[Michael P]

Every time Joe Rice takes a shot at Peter David, I kill a kitten.

[Dan Apodaca]

It depends on the reviewer, really.

I have checked stuff out, based on reviews, but I never buy anything without having a look myself.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

It depends on the reviewer, really.

I go by the reviewer, and what they say about it - if you read enough you can start to tell that although your taste matches theirs on somethings, there's other things they like that you won't.
(Checkmate Greg? CHECKMATE?)


I have checked stuff out, based on reviews, but I never buy anything without having a look myself.

Of course.

But I've definetly ended up with stuff (most good) I never would have considered without reading the review.

[BizarroBeachHead]

Yeah, I can usually count on Joe Rice to give me insight into things I've not payed much attention to. I decided to give New Avengers a second chance because of his positive remarks.

Specifically, I started getting New Thunderbolts based on Brian Cronin's(and nearly everyone else's) positive review.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Not really . Taste is a very subjective thing. I may like something someone else may not and vice versa. I won't hamper anyones love of a series but I usually detail what I pick up at the shop and read every few weeks when I pick up my pull list.

[Dan Apodaca]

I go by the reviewer, and what they say about it - if you read enough you can start to tell that although your taste matches theirs on somethings, there's other things they like that you won't.
(Checkmate Greg? CHECKMATE?)

Switch Checkmate out for Moon Knight, and you'd be stealing the words right out of my mouth.

[dancj]

It all goes into the pool of other people's opinions that swim around in my head and make me consider books. I think I got American Born Chinese (which I'm currently reading and enjoying) largely off a CSBG review

[stealthwise]

I also find that by reading ANY review, I'm able to better articulate how I feel about a comic. Sometimes I'm not quite sure how I feel, or how much I like or dislike a comic until I hear other people's opinions. It doesn't happen that often, but when someone attacks something that I like, then it motivates me to think a bit more, and when someone points out exactly HOW bad something like Infinite Crisis, then it reveals layer upon layer of crap that I didn't notice originally.

[Johnny Triangles]

I use the reviews to keep abreast of indie comics that would normally fly under my radar otherwise (found out about Scott Pilgrim here for instance). As far as the big 2, I only use their reviews to boost the opinions I already have. FOr example, when they bash Didio DC books, I like reading the reviews because they may find a better way to express the hate than I already had, or they may come up with a reason to hate the books I didn't think of yet. The only time this site changed my mind about a book is with Grant Morrison, I used to like him but after all the over-the-top fawning praise I actually started disliking him and reevaluating him. Yes, I know that sounds strange...

[AoAMimic]

I read whatever Joe Rice says is kewl. Because he's the kewlest.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Switch Checkmate out for Moon Knight, and you'd be stealing the words right out of my mouth.

I don't think I actually trust any reviewer when it comes to superheroes.
It's just too hard.
I may agree with Joe on some books, but there's no way I'm picking up Mighty New Avengers.
I agree with Greg on some books, and he did put me onto She Hulk, but there's no way I'm going back in for Checkmate, and I normally just skim the Cat Woman reviews.

It's just an odd little genre where personal taste seems to outweigh any other quality and someone will like flaming crap because... well because they just do.
(A friend of mine has put forawrd the theory that superheroes are like porn, you just like what you like and it's embarrasing to talk about it).

[Shadow ES]

I tried Dyanmo 5 based off a review...I think that's the only one. I get more ideas from seeing them in person or on Free Comic Book Day than online reviews.

[sgt pepper]

(A friend of mine has put forawrd the theory that superheroes are like porn, you just like what you like and it's embarrasing to talk about it).

Ha.

I like to look at their reviews after I read my comics to find out what I'm supposed to think about them (tee-hee, no really to see if we agree).

And yeah, it's one of the sources of word of mouth I use to see if there's something good out there I'm missing.

I do hate how those damn declarative and inquiring animals spoil comics on the day they come out.

[mgs]

I also find that by reading ANY review, I'm able to better articulate how I feel about a comic. Sometimes I'm not quite sure how I feel, or how much I like or dislike a comic until I hear other people's opinions. It doesn't happen that often, but when someone attacks something that I like, then it motivates me to think a bit more, and when someone points out exactly HOW bad something like Infinite Crisis, then it reveals layer upon layer of crap that I didn't notice originally.

this happens with me sometimes too. :)

[DubipR]

Not at all.
Their blowhardness pomposity is just as equal to mine. Doesn't make want to go out a read their recommendations.

[Citizen V]

No.I dont really trust anyone`s views,people seem to buy anything today.

[Quarterwolf]

Well since a few of the reviewers there are adament on the hate of everything superhero in comics I would have to say no.

[stealthwise]

Well since a few of the reviewers there are adament on the hate of everything superhero in comics I would have to say no.

Which reviewers are you referring to, because I think that each of them has found at least one or two superhero titles that they've enjoyed in the past.

[Joe Rice]

Which reviewers are you referring to, because I think that each of them has found at least one or two superhero titles that they've enjoyed in the past.

Yeah. In fact, I'd say most of us mostly review superhero books, and mostly do so positively.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Yeah. In fact, I'd say most of us mostly review superhero books, and mostly do so positively.

You and Greg usually do, and I must say, in both cases, your writing suffers when you do (regardless of how I feel about the books).
Both of you seem to struggle with describing them, even if you really like them, when compared to the non-superhero books you review.

Do either of you feel that way?

Or is it more my inherent belief that neither Mighty Avengers or Catwoman are books worth reading, and it's just my inner voce jeering everything you write about them?

[stealthwise]

You and Greg usually do, and I must say, in both cases, your writing suffers when you do (regardless of how I feel about the books).
Both of you seem to struggle with describing them, even if you really like them, when compared to the non-superhero books you review.

Do either of you feel that way?

Or is it more my inherent belief that neither Mighty Avengers or Catwoman are books worth reading, and it's just my inner voce jeering everything you write about them?

No worries, it's both!

Seriously though, it's hard to describe superhero comics in a way that's different from the hundreds of other reviewers online, but it's much easier to offer a fresh viewpoint on an indie title that has all of 50 readers.

[Joe Rice]

Hmmm, hard to say. Superhero comics also come out so much more often that it's kind of hard to differentiate this month's review from the last. So our superhero reviews probably do suffer . . .but they're not anti-superhero reviews as Quarterwolf insinuated. I still want to hear what he means.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Hmmm, hard to say. Superhero comics also come out so much more often that it's kind of hard to differentiate this month's review from the last. So our superhero reviews probably do suffer . . .but they're not anti-superhero reviews as Quarterwolf insinuated. I still want to hear what he means.


Not to put words in his mouth, but it sounds to me that he's misread distaste for the majority of current big two books as distaste for the genre.

[Joe Rice]

I PMed Quarterwolf so he would come back to the thread, so hopefully we'll see what he means.