Can an Artist/Writter make you Buy/Drop a book? [Archive]

rZi

11-24-2007, 10:33 AM

I was curious if this is applicable to anyone but i tend to follow the works of my faviroute writters and artitst and it has led me to pull some good work but then again it can go wrong.....some may find this petty but:

I simply HAD to drop new avengers (which i class as a major book in terms of MU so im clearly missing out) due to Leinil Francis Yu. I simply cannot stand his pencils or the colourist he colaborates with...which is a real shame because i like; the lineup;the writting and the book in general.

But then again something good can come of it....the only reason i picked up Ultimates was due to reading mark millars marvel knights spider-man run and it results in my enjoying both ultimates and it's sequel.

I tend to pick up just random issues if an artist like finch's little legion of monsters issue and anything with bachalo on it.

If this applies to you who's work do you follow and why?

Mister Mets

11-24-2007, 10:37 AM

If I don't like a writer/ artist, I'll be less inclined to buy a book, so sure.

Pixie_Solanas

11-24-2007, 10:42 AM

I'm different, I think the only thing i'm appreciating about New Avengers right now is Yu's scraggly art. It sure ain't Bendis' script.

As for dropping a book, I stopped reading Moon Knight when they used Suayan after Finch left.

a-spidey

11-24-2007, 10:49 AM

for me, it always needs a certain writer and artist to buy a book, i normally wouldn't buy. And the character in that book must be someone i like or think is interesting.

1WEBHEAD

11-24-2007, 11:07 AM

I tend to buy everything that has Millar's name on the cover. . .

Zero Hunter

11-24-2007, 11:28 AM

I tend to avoid anything with Bendis writing it. The only exception to that is Ulitmate Spider Man. I have not picked up and issue of either the Avengers books since he started wrting them. I just do not like his writing that much at all.

RowdyRodimus

11-24-2007, 11:38 AM

Interesting question. Can a writer and/or artist hurt or help a book to influence my purchasing habits? I would have to say no.

I, myself, tend to purchase books for the characters and not hte creative teams. For example, I love Mark Bagley's artwork but have never bought morethan two issues of Ultimate Spider-Man. I just don't care for the whole Ultimate Universe idea.

However, I love Spider-Man as a character, yet hate everything that JMS has done in Amazing and continue to buy them. An example would be this, if you love Stephen King and buy everything he has done then find he has written a cookbook, would you buy it just because of the Stephen King name?

matthewaos

11-24-2007, 12:23 PM

Absolutely, but not the artist. I'm more a writer guy actually, then character(s) included, then artist. Yu and the line up made me stay in the book though, although I don't think it's bad.

It usually depends though, now that I think about it. I mean, I buy everything from some writers like David, DeMatteis or Brubaker, for example, whereas with some others I may pass if there are not interesting characters, example the ultimate universe (well, I prefer the original, sorry). There are some artists that their work I hunt down, like Kelley Jones, Maleev, etc.

Harley

11-24-2007, 02:00 PM

I find myself much more easily forgiving bad writing than bad art in a comic book. The way I look at it, comics are first and foremost a visual medium. So, even if I'm not particularly enjoying, for instance, what could be considered really corny dialogue or a silly plot that I don't think is going anywhere, if the art is absolutely gorgeous I'll be much more likely to just keep reading in hopes that the writing will improve. On the other hand, if I can't even stand to look at a book, then it's just a matter of time before I drop it like a hot rock. Maybe that's shallow? I don't know.

A really good example of this for me is religiously reading the New Warriors back in the 90's. Mark Bagley had a nice long run followed by Darick Robertson, both written by Fabian Nicieza. It wasn't the greatest book in the world, but it was the only way to get my Nova fix pre-Annihilation. Anyway, once Robertson left the book, there was a stretch of issues still written by Nicieza but he was paired with fill-in penciler Richard Pace. These were the ugliest books I had ever seen in my life, and to this day I couldn't tell you if they had stories worth reading because I have never been able to stomach reading them. It took me an entire year to pick up another New Warriors book after that, and that's only because it was the last issue of the series!

CaptainCanada

11-24-2007, 02:14 PM

It comes down to writing, for me; a story written by a writer whose work I am familiar with and know to be of high quality will give me impetus to check it out (most recently, I bought House of M: Avengers for Gage, and Captain Marvel for Reed).

Artwise, I don't buy books for the art; if I have no interest in the character/direction, putting Jim Lee on it wouldn't change my position. Now, bad art can make me want to drop a book.

Ramiel

11-24-2007, 03:05 PM

A writer/artist can catch or kill my interest in a book. Now say a writer/artist I generally dislike takes over a series I'm collecting, I'll still give a shot to see if it's bad enough to drop or tough through until thier arc is done

desanth

11-24-2007, 03:16 PM

Yes, I dropped USM when Bagley left and Immonem took over. The art was just not my style. So thats a case.

stingerman

11-24-2007, 03:18 PM

I started reading She-Hulk again after I dropped it because of Peter David.

mightiness

11-24-2007, 04:05 PM

I drop anything drawn buy Humberto Ramos and Chris Bachalo. I really can't appreciate either ones artwork. I'm sure they are nice guys but I am not a fan of theirs.

On the flipside I will collect anything drawn buy Steve Epting and Andrea Divito.
I also enjoy Pascal Ferry.

will_butler

11-24-2007, 04:08 PM

Absolutely. I make a real effort to pick up most stuff from my favorite writers like Ellis, Alan Moore, Garth Ennis, Brian K. Vaughan, Steve Gerber, Alex Robinson, Peter Bagge, and Ed Brubaker. I'm so writer-focused that I'm having all of Ellis's early material bound into hardcover books.

By that same token, I'm dropping Runaways the issue that Terry Moore comes on board for writing duties.

Will

Shadow ES

11-24-2007, 04:45 PM

If it's a new series, a writer's name can get me to give it a shot. That works out good for me about 2 out of 3 times. If it's just a new team on some established series, like F4, no.

mightiness

11-24-2007, 09:10 PM

I miss the day of Roger Stern and John Buscema. The days when consist story and art came on a monthly basis. Artist now should take a look at what John Romita Jr. and Mark Bagely do. The professionalism that they portray by meeting deadlines seems almost unheard of nowadays. Artist should strive for long continuous runs the really set precedent. Tom Palmer was the inker on more Avenger issues then any other. Putting together long continuous runs are what is going to set the writers and artists legacies. Not six isssue stints and then off to another title.

overcomebyfumes

11-24-2007, 09:17 PM

I'll read anything Dan Slott writes and I've enjoyed every issue.

Warren Ellis has been on a very good tear recently between NEXTWAVE and Thunderbolts, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he does with Astonishing X-Men.

Brubaker's another writer who I'll check out a book just because of the name.

JMS is an author who'll make me think twice about buying a book, after the awful Strange miniseries and his horrid Civil War issues (FF and ASM). Although he hasn't messed up Thor too badly. Yet.

As for art, looking forward to seeing Mark Texeria's Moonknight. John Cassaday's very good; I'd definately consider picking up any book with his name on it. I'm hoping he stays on Astonishing. Brian Hitch's art is wonderful - can't wait to see what he's doing next. Steve Epting's art makes Captain America. There's an odd spot in my heart for Steve Dillion's art. Just kinda got used to it on Preacher and the Punisher. As for old school artists, I love Bill Sienkiewicz. If he was still working for Marvel, I'd certainly be following his work.

The only artist I can think of who would (and has) make me drop a book is John Romita Jr. I cannot stand his boxy, sketchy, static art and can't understand why folks love it.

Oh, and Greg Land. I don't need to read anything new by Land, because inevitably, I've seen it before.

pax.

Deep_Sleeper

11-25-2007, 01:52 AM

Most of the time, an artist is essential to me buying a comic. Chances are good that if I like the artist and I've never heard of the writer, I would try out the book. However, if I like the writer and I don't like the artist, I would most likely not try out a book.

PunisherFan

11-25-2007, 05:54 PM

I can live with less than stellar art as long as the story is good. However if the art is awesome and the story blows I'll drop it. So I'd say I would drop a book for a crappy writer but not a crappy artist

Babylon23

11-25-2007, 05:58 PM

Generally speaking, I follow characters more than creators. A good creative team on characters I like is more likely to grab my attention than the same creative team on a character I have little interest in.

Having said that, there are plenty of creators whose work I'll at least chek out: Alan Davis, Chris Sprouse, Lee Weeks, John Romita Jr., George Perez, Keith Giffen, Ed Brubaker, Geoff Johns, Mark Waid, Greg Rucka, John Ostrander, Tom Mandrake, Mike Grell, Neal Adams, Gene Colan, Alan Moore, Roger Stern, Bob Layton, Tim Truman, Matt Wagner, Kelly Jones, Denys Cowan, Phil Hester, Bill Sienkiewicz, Frank Miller. Most recently, Francesco Francanvilla's work has drawn my attention.

Then there's the classic creators who have passed away, but whose work I'm still trying to track down: Jack Kirby, Gil Kane, Wally Wood, Frank Hampson. I'll buy anything 'new' from these guys.

There are a couple of artists whose work doesn't appeal to me, and I'll usually drop a title if they come on board: Mike Deodato, David Finch, Rob Liefeld and Kevin Smith come to mind.

Joe Bullseye

11-25-2007, 07:23 PM

I tell you I can't draw for the life of me but I collect certain artist and always stop to look at their works. Example, Bill Sienkiewicz. I don't give a dam if it's New Mutants, Stray Toasters, or if it is a drawing of dog crap, I LOVE his work. I always, no matter how crappy the series is, buy Sienkiewicz.
As for writers Garth Ennis can do no wrong. Love his stories.
But Let me also add anything by Warren Ellis can be used as toilet paper. Sorry, Don't want to hear it, Ellis = SUCKS.
There it is. :evilsmile

mastaflan

11-25-2007, 07:30 PM

Yes anything that Liefeld touches I will avoid.....

Kusanagi

11-25-2007, 07:38 PM

Only Liefield has the drop the book distinction.

Other than him I won't add or drop a book soley on the writer/artist. But I may give it a shot based on one.

Kid Kamikaze10

11-25-2007, 07:57 PM

Millar was on my must buy list for the longest time, until Civil War.

Honestly, the direction of the universe or book, as well as the writer matters to me more than the artist (unless they are so bad the messes up the writing as well).

But really, Jeph Loeb is *this* from reaching my "don't buy" list. Ultimates 3 is my last attempt to get something good out of a Jeph Loeb book, and I've already stated my doubts in the Ultimates 3 preview threads.

icctrombone

11-25-2007, 08:25 PM

Sales figures bear out that Name creators give a boost to the book. That's why Jim Lee , Moore, Morrison etc. get the big bucks.

1WEBHEAD

11-25-2007, 08:25 PM

Writers-Buy

* Brubaker
* Gage
* PAD
* BKV
* Slott
* Ellis
* Millar

Writers-Drop

* Daniel Way

Artists-Buy

* Hitch
* McNiven
* Aja
* Cho
* Divito
* Bachelo

Artists-Drop

* Ramos
* Liefeld
* Greg Land

Cambert

11-25-2007, 08:29 PM

For sure 100%. I can't tell you how many books I've picked up because I liked the writer or artist. Not so much dropping though. If the creative team changes I'll stick with it for awhile and may come to like them.

Nowadays I'm more inclined to drop a title in general if I don't like the writing. Years ago it was the art. I think I had my fill of all flash no substance stories though.

Dr. Chaos

11-25-2007, 11:56 PM

As far as dropping on account of an artist, no, I find that a fairly shallow thing to do.

I read comic books for the characters and the stories, not the pretty pictures (though they are nice). I'm a Humberto Ramos and Skottie Young fan but they wouldn't ever be able to pitch me an issue of an X-Men comic that wasn't Deadpool related.

And for the writers, I'd be lying if I said guys like Robert Kirkman and Dan Slott haven't peaked my interest in a title I normally might have overlooked otherwise.

zebop

11-26-2007, 02:04 AM

Any comic book with the names of Daniel Way, Humberto Ramos, Chris Bachalo, Reginald Hudlin, Rob Liefeld and The Prince of Darkness, Chris Claremont will never get my beer-drinkin' money.

Crimson

11-26-2007, 02:46 AM

Writer moreso then artist... as long as I can tell what is happening in the art I'm happy. Anything better then that is just a bonus.

Ever with writers I tend to give them a few issues, even if I know I've hated other books they've done. I really hate dropping books and tend to go back and get the ones I miss when I drop it in a couple of years out the the $ bin.

Kage Kisaragi

11-26-2007, 09:10 PM

i do feel a bad artist might make me drop a book, i mean im mostly in it for the exciting artwork because thats what drew me into the books in the first place, the story is what kept me.. so I expect excellent artwork first and foremost, a stupid story can be forgotten, but badart work last forever because its in your collection.

I mean I didn't know crap about say Heroes for Hire but when I saw the cover for issue number 2 and 3 I decided to pick them up and read them.. the artwork was great and the story wasn't horrible so i continued to pick them up and the stories got better to me, the artwork started to slip a bit but ultimately it wasn't bad or horrendous.

Lord S

11-26-2007, 09:31 PM

Two words: Angel Medina.

Possibly the WORST artist ever.

Joe Franklin

11-26-2007, 09:36 PM

Two words: Angel Medina.

Possibly the WORST artist ever.

Angel is one of my favorites.:cool:

Kage Kisaragi

11-26-2007, 09:42 PM

Two words: Angel Medina.

Possibly the WORST artist ever.

just searched for some of this persons work, some of it reminds me of the guy who does the Final Fantasy artwork, the classical stuff, Amano something... anyway, yeah i don't think his work would appeal to me in a action comic, but it would be great for that satire type newspaper funny section.

C. Earl

11-27-2007, 02:36 PM

I freely admit that I'm far more into the visual aspects of comics than anything else. A good story and good characterizations are always important, but an artist can definitely make or break a book with me. I have walked away from books that have a great writer because I absolutely didn't like the art--especially if it's such a radical departure from what intially pulled me into the book in the first place.

I don't think I've ever bought a book solely because of the writer, but there is a small shortlist of writers who might make me leave a book though because I didn't like their style very much...

rZi

11-27-2007, 02:43 PM

I freely admit that I'm far more into the visual aspects of comics than anything else.

I kinda noticed with your busty witchblade avatar :D

I have walked away from books that have a great writer because I absolutely didn't like the art--especially if it's such a radical departure from what intially pulled me into the book in the first place.

Yeah i feel this is going to happen to me shortly when Humberto Ramos takes over as Runaways artists, i mean it's simply my faviroute book.....so i can't drop it, hell the guy made me drop freaking X-Men for a while...which i nether thought was possible.

berk

11-27-2007, 03:11 PM

DDM

11-27-2007, 03:13 PM

I won't buy anything written by Brian Michael Bendis & Greg Pak.

DDM

11-27-2007, 03:15 PM

I forgot Rob Liefeld. He was good in 1989, but his style has not changed since then. You would think by now--almost 20 years later--he would have proportions down right on the paper. He's also a terrible writer.

C. Earl

11-27-2007, 03:30 PM

I freely admit that I'm far more into the visual aspects of comics than anything else.

I kinda noticed with your busty witchblade avatar :D

Oh, yeah, I'm totally shameless about that kind of stuff.:evilsmile

I have walked away from books that have a great writer because I absolutely didn't like the art--especially if it's such a radical departure from what intially pulled me into the book in the first place.

Yeah i feel this is going to happen to me shortly when Humberto Ramos takes over as Runaways artists, i mean it's simply my faviroute book.....so i can't drop it, hell the guy made me drop freaking X-Men for a while...which i nether thought was possible.

These days, most creative teams are only on a book between 6-12 months anyway and sometimes the styles of both the writer and the artist are drastically different from their predecessors. It's rare for me to have a book I can stick with regardless of the changes in the creative teams. It really has to be a book that I like through thick and thin...

cyclops2500

11-27-2007, 03:40 PM

I'm more inclined to drop a book with crappy writing than crappy art. I like the pretty pictures as much as anybody, but I've read some really well written ugly books, and I always enjoy them more than some of the pretty looking hack jobs I've come across.

The art is important, but can be fixed from one issue to the next. The writing is a reflection of the direction of the book. If the book's direction sucks, the book is gonna be bad and people won't like it.

Alex Dragon

11-27-2007, 06:25 PM

I've never cared about the characters more than the creative team. For example, I think Batman and Spider-man are the two best superhero concepts ever created but I've gone years at a time without buying/reading a Batman book and do the same for Spider-man if I don't dig the creative team working on his books. I like Ultimate Spider-man but it's all because of Bendis.

I buy comics all the time I don't even bother to read because of the artwork. I bought Hawkgirl when Chaykin was the artist and never read more than about half an issue of the book while he was the artist. Even though I was looking forward to Meltzer's writing on JLA the only reason I stuck with it past his 3rd issue was because of Ed Benes' art. I only pick up Wonder Woman when the Dodsons are drawing it. Right now I have zero interest in any DC title if it's not being draw by an artist I like.

At the same time...I'll put up with art I might not be too crazy about if Bendis, Millar, Brubaker, Moore, or Peter David are writing it...but I don't automatically buy all their stuff. Fortunately, I like most of the artists those guys work with.

ForeverTaskmaster

11-28-2007, 04:32 AM

daletron

11-28-2007, 05:30 AM

a writer can definately make me buy a book. brubaker, bkv, peter david, slott, ellis, millar, moore, morrison

only writer that makes me drop books so far is daniel way.....

a bad artist i can deal with

Crimson

11-28-2007, 06:23 AM

Anything by the following people I will not read.

Scott Lobdell
Geoff Johns
Todd McFarlane
Fabian Nicieza
Scott McDaniel
Jae Lee

It has nothing to do with the persons themselves but with their work that just plain s***s. I almost stopped collecting comics because of those people.
I probably forgot a whole lot of people but these people come to mind immediately.

Geoff Johns would of been one of the few writers I wouldn't give a shot a few years ago... his really bad Avengers run soured me off him but now with Green Lantern, Booster Gold and I'm sure another book or two, he's really impressing me.

diablo7

11-28-2007, 08:56 PM

people that would make me drop a book:

billy tan
ed benes
mike choi
gail simone
renato arlem
tyler kirkham
rob liefeld
todd mcfarlane
jim lee
scot eaton
ian churchill
chuck austen
eric basulda
keron grant
and finally
greg land

i'm sure there are more

streator

11-28-2007, 10:06 PM

definitely.

i'm picking up fantastic four when millar/hitch come onboard.

like ultimates, when they leave, i'm likely to leave. but we'll see.

i follow/stay away from other creators, too. millar is just a fresh example.

Capt Hunter

11-28-2007, 10:22 PM

After reading Captain America for almost 22 years, I ALMOST dropped it. It was the Marvel Knights Captain America "ICE" written by Chuck Austen. He almost destroyed a 22 year run for me..... God that was a terrible arc.....

mattx110

11-28-2007, 10:36 PM

I only follow creators, not characters. So, no. But if it makes you(pl) feel better my post is probably the least interesting of the thread, and I feel kinda silly even showing up.

DDM

11-29-2007, 09:23 AM

Greg Land is another artist who would make me drop a book. I'm not going to pay $2.99 for an "artist" who traces every character from magazines. Learn to draw man.

matthewaos

11-29-2007, 10:50 AM

Kage Kisaragi

11-29-2007, 01:07 PM

*place holder*

Pixie_Solanas

11-29-2007, 01:40 PM

It may go without saying, but I refuse to even touch a book that has Liefeld's stench on it. Thankfully, I haven't had to worry about that very much...

And i'm getting very close to feelin' that way about Mike Choi.

Pro

11-29-2007, 01:52 PM

I'll at the very least give any book drawn by Alan Davis a look through and often find myself buying it just for the artwork. I'll never buy anything by Liefeld. Horrendous.

rZi

11-29-2007, 01:55 PM

I'll never buy anything by Liefeld. Horrendous.

Yeah there are very few artists i will definatley say "not a chance" too, but he is one of them. Yu is another.

Joe Franklin

11-29-2007, 08:57 PM

Greg Land is another artist who would make me drop a book. I'm not going to pay $2.99 for an "artist" who traces every character from magazines. Learn to draw man.

He can draw very well. Could you do what he does for Marvel with photo references, and a pencil? I highly doubt you could, or anybody else posting here could for that matter.;)

diablo7

11-29-2007, 09:38 PM

ha..i don't know if that's sarcasm there when you say land can draw well

Joe Franklin

11-29-2007, 09:42 PM

ha..i don't know if that's sarcasm there when you say land can draw well

He can. Do you own any of his 90's DC work? He drew in a completely different style back then.

Expletive Deleted

11-29-2007, 09:43 PM

He can. Do you own any of his 90's DC work? He drew in a completely different style back then.Yeah, he drew back then.

diablo7

11-29-2007, 09:46 PM

i've seen some of his early 90's stuff when he was trying to draw like jim lee...can't think of the book but it was like stormwatch..

Joe Franklin

11-29-2007, 09:46 PM

Yeah, he drew back then.

He still does. But in a completely lackluster way now. Just because his new art style is worse looking then his old art style, does not mean he can't draw comic books without a light table. He did it for over 10 years without the current photo tracing style of his.

Joe Franklin

11-29-2007, 09:50 PM

i've seen some of his early 90's stuff when he was trying to draw like jim lee...can't think of the book but it was like stormwatch..

His earliest stuff looked like he was channeling a mixture of Lee/Liefeld, but then his stuff evolved into a more original style he could call his own. Now he has yet another original style, it just happens to be a photo traced style is all. Deosn't change the fact that he can draw very well, even if I don't like his style all that much.

DDM

11-30-2007, 08:21 AM

He can draw very well. Could you do what he does for Marvel with photo references, and a pencil? I highly doubt you could, or anybody else posting here could for that matter.;)

I can understand using models to use from magazines to get his ideas for a character IF they match in appearance; however, Land's recent work is obviously traced since the same character looks different depending on the pose. Why is he tracing in the first place if he can draw? Does he like to use tracing as a crutch? Tracing is indeed a crutch for Greg Land & it makes him look bad as a professional "artist."

Tracing is drawing as plagiarism is to writing...

overcomebyfumes

11-30-2007, 08:30 AM

Yea, it's not so much that Land traces, but that he traces the same pictures over and over again. I'm tired of seeing the same expressions and poses.

pax.

Home made ectoplasm

11-30-2007, 10:25 AM

I mainly post on the X Boards, and over there you can see that a lot of people are following characters rather than particular artists or writers.

Also I get the impression that a lot of fans are completists and will buy a book that they don't enjoy so as not to have gaps in their collection.

Personally I think a character is usually only as interesting as the creative team, and bad art (or art not to my taste) can really spoil a book for me.

I started buying Mike Carey's X Men run because I was enjoying the Bachalo art, and when Ramos took over for an arc I didn't bother picking it up. Although I'm sure the writing was still solid the art was too much of a turn off.

Rik Sunn

11-30-2007, 04:47 PM

I'll give anything that Mark Waid or Dan Jurgens does at least six issues. I'll drop any Mark Millar superhero book immediately. So yeah.

Sambo253

11-30-2007, 05:38 PM

A favourite writer or artist can definitely get me to buy a book, but I wouldn't say there's anyone I hate so much that I'd drop the book just because of their name. If I was already reading it I'd give it a chance at least, unless they'd already made it known that there were going to be some specific changes in the book that I didn't want to see.

Same here. I'm willing to give anyone a shot. Or so I'd like to think. I asked myself: "Would you buy a book with art from JH Williams III but written by Geoff Johns?" And I still don't have an answer.

DDM

11-30-2007, 06:36 PM

Yea, it's not so much that Land traces, but that he traces the same pictures over and over again. I'm tired of seeing the same expressions and poses.

pax.

Greg Land's art should be beautiful, but since he traces all of his human characters, his art lacks any depth & soul one would find with photo-realistic art such as from Alex Ross & John Bolton. As a result, Land's art is static & hollow.

40yearoldnovafan

11-30-2007, 07:57 PM

Siddon

11-30-2007, 08:13 PM

It's hard because Marvel tends to drop its bad writers fairly quickly, I would almost say to quickly because some writers are very good but just don't have the cred to write a major title.

I only go by writers, I have never bought a book for an artist.

My hell no pile 0%

Hudlin, Way, Liefield

My getting to hell no pile 10-15% of comics

Claremont, Loeb, Tieri, Reed

My 50/50 list, if its a book I can't drop I won't but I have to give the title time

Brubaker, Fraction, JMS

My 60% club
Kirkman, Gage, Kyle & Yost, McDuffie

My 75% club
David, Slott, Carey,

My yes 100% I own every comic club

Ellis, Bendis, Miller

My I really miss this writer list

Vaughn

diablo7

11-30-2007, 10:35 PM

Why Ed Benes? His stuff looks great. did I miss something?

i put benes on there because his whole career has been built off of drawing in someone else's style

Alex Dragon

12-01-2007, 11:43 AM

Also I get the impression that a lot of fans are completists and will buy a book that they don't enjoy so as not to have gaps in their collection.

There seems to be a lot of fans like this if messageboards are any indication of what type of fans are out there. I think it's everyone right to buy a comic for whatever reason but some of the completists I just find very annoying. If a person is simply buying a comic because they intend to buy every issue of a particular book or character that's fine but I just get so very tired of some of those completists running out to buy that book as soon as it hits the stores and then rushing on to a messageboard to rant on and on about the same thing every month about how much they don't like the book. If owning every issue is your main concern over stories or creative teams you don't like then you should suck it up and not complain so much or drop the book. I'm not even saying you shouldn't complain if you don't like something but maybe you don't need to bore everyone with the same complaints every month.

I also think it's both funny and sad when you finally hear some ofthe real reasons behind why some people hate certain creators and proclaim they're the "worst" ever or why they can't supposedly write or draw. You'd think that when someone constantly complains about a creator being so bad or the "worst" ever they're judging them on technical talent but so many times that simply isn't the case. If someone thinks a writer is bad because they pace their stories too slow, that understandable. However, if someone is constantly saying someone is "bad" or the worst because they didn't like that writer killed off a character or had did had a character do something "out of character" years ago or even better yet that creator wouldn't sign that person's books while they were in the bathroom stall at a convention I think that person is a goofball.

I'm both surprised and annoyed with the amount of times I think I'm reading the posts of a sensible person and they end up being a goofball.

overcomebyfumes

12-01-2007, 05:40 PM

There seems to be a lot of fans like this if messageboards are any indication of what type of fans are out there. I think it's everyone right to buy a comic for whatever reason but some of the completists I just find very annoying. If a person is simply buying a comic because they intend to buy every issue of a particular book or character that's fine but I just get so very tired of some of those completists running out to buy that book as soon as it hits the stores and then rushing on to a messageboard to rant on and on about the same thing every month about how much they don't like the book. If owning every issue is your main concern over stories or creative teams you don't like then you should suck it up and not complain so much or drop the book. I'm not even saying you shouldn't complain if you don't like something but maybe you don't need to bore everyone with the same complaints every month.

I also think it's both funny and sad when you finally hear some ofthe real reasons behind why some people hate certain creators and proclaim they're the "worst" ever or why they can't supposedly write or draw. You'd think that when someone constantly complains about a creator being so bad or the "worst" ever they're judging them on technical talent but so many times that simply isn't the case. If someone thinks a writer is bad because they pace their stories too slow, that understandable. However, if someone is constantly saying someone is "bad" or the worst because they didn't like that writer killed off a character or had did had a character do something "out of character" years ago or even better yet that creator wouldn't sign that person's books while they were in the bathroom stall at a convention I think that person is a goofball.

I'm both surprised and annoyed with the amount of times I think I'm reading the posts of a sensible person and they end up being a goofball.

Hell, there's books that I buy not even for the sake of completion, but for the sole and intent purpose of complaining about them.

If you're going to complain about a book effectively, you need a copy so that you know what you're talking about. The last thing you should do with a book you really hate and want to complain about is drop it.

Also, and this is important - there are some books that are difficult to drop beacuse the main story lines of the Marvel Universe are running through them. If you happen to hate Bendis' writing, for example, following the Disassembled-House of M-Civil War-Skrull Invasion story arc without reading a single book written by Bendis is aggravatingly difficult.

You don't see me complaining about Hudlin, because I don't need to read anything he's written to follow what's going on in the MU. Hudlin's books are completely incidental to the main storyline at Marvel. It's very easy to avoid Hudlin. Bendis, not so much.

If you want to keep up on what's going on, ya gotta wade through some dreck. And then complain about it, that's the important thing.

pax.

Joe Acro

12-01-2007, 05:54 PM

Typically, writers don't make me drop books. If I like a title and there's going to be a creative shift, I'll normally keep reading, just to see in what direction the new writer takes it. I might not pick up a series because of a particular writer, but that's different.

I treat artists differently. I will stop reading books that get a makeover with art that doesn't appeal to me. Comics are largely a visual medium and I have to enjoy what I'm looking at before I can enjoy the story within. That said, I do recognize that a good story can save bad art. The inverse is true, as well. But I'm much more likely to drop a book because of a change in the art than I am the writing, especially if the art doesn't transition well.