Are you still buying Comics?

[o1pickleboy]

Lately I have been hearing alots of posters here have stopped buying comics. So I am wondering how big is this trend. Many of the reasons I have heard are lack of quality in the product and financial woes.

So I ask are you still buying comics? If so what keeps them in the budget? For those who stopped buying. Why?

[dupont2005]

im buying more than i ever have in my entire life.

as far as the quality of newer comics, i hardly read any. i spend most of my money on back issues. from what i see, there is a decent amount of good stuff coming out, i just need to catch up on my favorites before i dive in

[The Batman]

Yes I still am.

Keeping them within budget is, for me, just a matter of being patient and selective. Plenty of stuff I can wait on that will be cheaper down the road.

[The Confessor]

Yes I am. Although, due to financial concerns, I've cut my pull list down a bit to include only those comics that I simply can't do without.

[DrewTheXenocide]

I assume by "buying comics" you mean go to the shop on a regular basis and pick up a couple of monthlies. I don't really do that anymore, simply because nothing interests me. Daredevil is still good, so I buy that whenever I happen to pass by a shop and a new issue is out, but other than that, there's nothing really out there that convinces me that it's worth three dollars. I buy the occasional trade every now and then, but other than that, I've pretty much stopped reading comics ona regular basis.

[Tadhg]

I stopped buying comics because after a brief time of not ordering, I found that I didn't really miss most of them.

[Kusanagi]

I still buy comics, I find my pull list while smaller due to financial reasons, it's the strongest it's been in years.

[i_mmmchocolate]

No. I haven't purchased comics (regularly, that is) since 2004. The last trade I bought was probably a little over a year ago.

I'm on a budget and I just can't justify spending what little disposable income I have on them.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

I stopped buying comics because after a brief time of not ordering, I found that I didn't really miss most of them.

But dude, Norman Osborne is the head of SHIELD!!!!

[Tadhg]

But dude, Norman Osborne is the head of SHIELD!!!!

It'll turn out to be an LMD.

[finestjuan]

I see the economy. I am not impacted. My purchasing habits have actually increased. Using DCBS I have increased my monthlies to about 100 floppies and 4 or 5 HC/GNs eacxh month. I still stop by my LCS to support about 5 titles a week. Stuff i need to actually see to buy.. But most of all I am finally filling in my silver age holes for less than 2 bucks a pop... I think this is where you will see the impact of the economy.. The way people are dumping silver/bronze comics..

I got to say- I have finally come down from the Big 2 to mostly independents. More fun stuff out there..

As for Dark Reign. I love it.. This is kind of why I began collecting in 1977.. keep it up Bendis.

Grant - Thanks for Final Crisis.. (yes it is not for everyone), but the way you took this and made it fun! So much going on in an epic way.. Loved it.. Hope DC can capitalize on this and build off the great ideas - Monitors/Japanese teams/Impact of the Bleed on the DCU.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

It'll turn out to be an LMD.

Hmm... not sure what LMD means.

Using google and a free online dictionary, I've narrowed it down to - Lower Murray Darling, Last Menstruation Date, Lamers Must Die or Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique du CNRS.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

I see the economy. I am not impacted. My purchasing habits have actually increased.

Not uncommon - in Australia pay television subscriptions have gone up.
People see that the economy is going bad, decide they have to go out less, and need something to do whilst they stay in.

[The Batman]

LMD = Life Model Decoy?

[StoneGold]

It's funny, comics first became popular as inexpensive entertainment during the Depression. And are now a luxury item.

[J. Robb]

Single issues- very rarely. I still pick up the occasional collection. But since I used to buy a ton of comics, I guess my answer is closer to "no".

Not for economic reasons, but because the books just aren't very good and the lack of continuity saps the fun out of collecting a character's "history".

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

It's funny, comics first became popular as inexpensive entertainment during the Depression. And are now a luxury item.

And some dicks think they are going to boom again because they do well in times of financial stress...

They did well in bad times because they were cheap.

[StoneGold]

And some dicks think they are going to boom again because they do well in times of financial stress...

They did well in bad times because they were cheap.

And fewer alternatives back then.

[Chris N]

New single issues I buy rarely.

Trades and back issues I continue to buy with some frequency.

How does that mean I vote?

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

And fewer alternatives back then.

I don't buy that argument in relation to comics, as it's always seemed to me that the kids reading comics are the kids who like films, tv shows, books, computer/video games etc.

I always find it sad when the head of some company says 'There's just more options competing for people's dollar'... Then make your product more exciting already.

[The Black Guardian]

I don't buy that argument in relation to comics, as it's always seemed to me that the kids reading comics are the kids who like films, tv shows, books, computer/video games etc.

I always find it sad when the head of some company says 'There's just more options competing for people's dollar'... Then make your product more exciting already.
There really isn't a way that comics can compete, excitement-wise in relation to price, with those other forms of entertainment.

That said, I do still spend about $20 per week on comics. I'm not really a big movie-goer or gamer. In a good year, I'll see about ten movies, and I seem to buy a computer game once every year... or two.

[Chris N]

There really isn't a way that comics can compete, excitement-wise in relation to price, with those other forms of entertainment.

I'm not at all convinced of that.

[Jeff-E]

I still do, but I actually have a job where business is better the worse the economy is.

[Paradox]

Been out of the game about three years. It was mostly a financial move, but nothing I've heard about from the Big Two (the majority of my purchases) really makes me think I'm missing anything. I do miss the indies and the like, but I'm a comic junky and can't just get a title or two. I have to stay away and go cold turkey.

One is too many and a hundred's not enough. :frown:

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

There really isn't a way that comics can compete, excitement-wise in relation to price, with those other forms of entertainment.


I'm with Chris, that's total bull.
Comics can't compete with other forms of entertainment if they keep pretending it's still the seventies.

[Gilda Dent]

I'm still buying comics. It's mostly reprints at this point, though, with very little new stuff, and the new stuff I do get I'm getting in trade. I stopped buying new material from the big two for reasons I've detailed many times elsewhere.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

I'm still buying comics. It's mostly reprints at this point, though, with very little new stuff, and the new stuff I do get I'm getting in trade. I stopped buying new material from the big two for reasons I've detailed many times elsewhere.

Because Tony Stark was being a dick?
It doesn't matter anymore, Norman Osborne is the head of SHIELD!

[o1pickleboy]

New single issues I buy rarely.

Trades and back issues I continue to buy with some frequency.

How does that mean I vote?

If your are buying them then you are buying them.

[howyadoin]

Last time I bought any was early October. I'm too po'.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Last time I bought any was early October. I'm too po'.

Norman Osborne is now the head of SHIELD.

[thehod]

Yep, I still pick them up on a weekly basis, but my pulll list changes quite regularly. If I don't enjoy something, then it goes.

For the most part, I'm enjoying what I'm reading, especially the Green Lantern stuff, and The Twelve when Straczynski can be bothered to write an issue.

[Gilda Dent]

Because Tony Stark was being a dick?
It doesn't matter anymore, Norman Osborne is the head of SHIELD!

Nope. Left just before then. It was the endless stream of crossovers that made it impossible to enjoy those few comics that I was still buying.

[howyadoin]

Norman Osborne is now the head of SHIELD.Please don't tell me any more exciting details.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Please don't tell me any more exciting details.

I couldn't if I wanted to.

For me, it's all I need to know.

[Paradox]

FunkyGreenJerusalem tells us again:

Norman Osborne is now the head of SHIELD.

Does he still have funky hair that looks like a ladder? I know fly would think this a concern.

[Gilda Dent]

I couldn't if I wanted to.

For me, it's all I need to know.

That's one that turned me away from the new Agents of Atlas ongoing. I liked the limited series, but then it was drawn into the ongoing crossover event, and I lost interest.

I wish they could just let individual titles exist in their own little corner of the fictional universe, with crossovers existing outside the main continuity of the title. Let the shared universe function to support the stories rather than the stories functioning to support the universe.

Then again, I've got decades of existing stories to enjoy. I don't have to get the new ones just because they're new.

[howyadoin]

I wish they could just let individual titles exist in their own little corner of the fictional universe, with crossovers existing outside the main continuity of the title. Let the shared universe function to support the stories rather than the stories functioning to support the universe.Burn the heretic!

[Radioactive Zombie]

Yes, but usually omnibuses. Saves me some time on getting up to speed on old continuity.

[dupont2005]

That's one that turned me away from the new Agents of Atlas ongoing. I liked the limited series, but then it was drawn into the ongoing crossover event, and I lost interest.

I wish they could just let individual titles exist in their own little corner of the fictional universe, with crossovers existing outside the main continuity of the title. Let the shared universe function to support the stories rather than the stories functioning to support the universe.

Then again, I've got decades of existing stories to enjoy. I don't have to get the new ones just because they're new.

thats how i feel too. im about to give in and pick up my first marvels in about 15 years though, spiderman noir and x men noir. i'll see how long it takes them to ruin this too

[Pól Rua]

That's one that turned me away from the new Agents of Atlas ongoing. I liked the limited series, but then it was drawn into the ongoing crossover event, and I lost interest.

I wish they could just let individual titles exist in their own little corner of the fictional universe, with crossovers existing outside the main continuity of the title. Let the shared universe function to support the stories rather than the stories functioning to support the universe.

This seems pertinent to my interests.
I have a suspicion that I make use of a subscription to your newsletter/

[Rachel Grey]

I'm still buying. The whole Deadly Genesis/Emperor Vulcan/War of Kings had me tempted to stop, but nah, that whole thing's gotta stop sooner or later, right?

[mrc1214]

I wasnt for about a week but just started up this month. Not much from the big 2. I just got into Captain Britain and its fantastic. Other than that i buying alot of indy books.

[Agent Helix]

Just trades here and there, mostly reprints like Essentials. I don't have the money or energy to spend on weekly trips to the shop, and there's just nothing right now that I feel I can't wait for a trade paperback to read.

[Joe Rice]

Why would I bother with this wretched hive of nerdy idiocy otherwise?

[Agent Helix]

I ask myself that question every second that I'm here, Joe.

[jessecuster3]

I have switched almost exclusively to TPBs, and only visit the shop every few months. Once there, however, I pick up any individual issues that I am missing from Criminal and All Hail Megatron.

[cable guy]

Havent bought any in a while but that will change soon.

[jesse_custer]

I buy five monthlies (Jonah Hex, Astonishing X-Men, House of Mystery, Savage Dragon, and Deadpool) and trades whenever.

I would probably buy a few more monthlies like Captain America if I weren't so goddamned behind on those titles.

[brocca]

Dear friends,

in my experience comics are very hard to give up on, I don't try that anymore.

To accomodate my budget, I cut down a little. That's no big effort nowadays because the comic shop I go to doesn't stock as many titles as before, also the price increase of some Marvel books makes it easier to renounce.

Recently I gave a fellow customer at the shop a fit as I rejected the accompaniing mylar sleeve, rolled the four dollars Avengers book up and stuffed it in my coat pocket carelessly--that is luxury!

Greetings--

[streator]

yes, i am still buying comics.

i have been pre-ordering my comics online for the last seven years or so. i'll likely continue doing the same until i stop buying comics.

i am less hesitant to pick up a new title and if something has lost my interest i'll drop it. that being said, i more or less buy the same comics each month with the occasional mini series or event series.

i do see more of an end in sight now than i have in the past but i'm not at that point yet. i'll probably still be buying comics for another year or two, depending upon what else happens in the rest of my life (kids, finances, etc.).

[Slam_Bradley]

I haven't purchased a new monthly in close to ten years. I buy trades and strip reprint books when I find them cheap. Last thing I bought was Jeff Smith's Shazam hardcover for $10. It was muy good.

[Dreadstar]

I haven't completely stopped, but I've become pretty discerning. Almost radically so.

I have also decided to forego the monthlies in favor of waiting 6 months or more for the TPBs.

Then there's my local library network which pretty much stocks the vast majority of mainline TPBs and hardbacks when they come out.

[StoneGold]

I don't buy that argument in relation to comics, as it's always seemed to me that the kids reading comics are the kids who like films, tv shows, books, computer/video games etc.

I always find it sad when the head of some company says 'There's just more options competing for people's dollar'... Then make your product more exciting already.

Your second paragraph runs kind of counter to your first. However, there is one other hitch to what you say. Comics require more effort than, say, a movie on your Ipod. One requires actual reading - the other just sitting and absorbing. And if there's one thing that would appear to be a truism, people are lazy.

[Slam_Bradley]

Your second paragraph runs kind of counter to your first. However, there is one other hitch to what you say. Comics require more effort than, say, a movie on your Ipod. One requires actual reading - the other just sitting and absorbing. And if there's one thing that would appear to be a truism, people are lazy.


Overall, I'd tend to agree with you. But Harry Potter seems to show us that we can get kids to read. Ditto Spiderwick and Series of Unfortunate Events. Kids are picking up Bone trades from Scholastic. So it's not a lost cause.

[StoneGold]

Overall, I'd tend to agree with you. But Harry Potter seems to show us that we can get kids to read. Ditto Spiderwick and Series of Unfortunate Events. Kids are picking up Bone trades from Scholastic. So it's not a lost cause.

There are also people who run marathons. I should have written it as people trend toward laziness.

[The Batman]

I have switched almost exclusively to TPBs, and only visit the shop every few months. Once there, however, I pick up any individual issues that I am missing from Criminal and All Hail Megatron.

See, I've been doing much the opposite and tradewaiting on the IDW Transformers stuff while getting other comics as singles still. It's a little cheaper and, since I started out with the Infiltration trade everything looks neater on the shelf.

As such, I haven't yet read any of the All Hail Megatron stuff. How's it been?

[Calybos]

Fewer than before, but yes I'm still buying some.

[Paul McEnery]

I was thinking that I may have bought my last ever single issue of a comical book.

Final Crisis I bought to keep up on the controversy while it was live, and because I knew it would take DC forever to package the book in an affordable form, and because I knew they'd cock up the packaging somehow anyway.

OTOH, I'm unlikely to be buying the trade that will eventually contain Neil's stories, so I might buy those.

Once the second one comes out.

[Mac Danny]

I buy a lot of Trades now. No monthlies for the last 2 years.

[Weetomuncher]

I only buy 2000AD and Judge Dredd Megazine on a regular basis.

I used to keep an in store standing order in Glasgow but I found it difficult to travel up regularly due to ill health and I would be hit with huge bills when I visited the store.

I was often collecting dozens of books at a time and it was a lot of money to part with at once.

I was able to cope with the costs but I didn't like the idea of having to catch up with weeks of reading each time I went to the store.

I started to buy trades instead and bought the likes of Watchmen and Batman - The Killing Joke as well as reading British titles which could be bought locally.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Your second paragraph runs kind of counter to your first. However, there is one other hitch to what you say.

I don't think that it does.
I think the audiences overlap, but I don't think it's that overlapping that's getting in the way.
The overlapping was always there.
The problem with comics isn't video games, it's comics.


Comics require more effort than, say, a movie on your Ipod. One requires actual reading - the other just sitting and absorbing. And if there's one thing that would appear to be a truism, people are lazy.

Well, games take more effort than watching a movie on your ipod, and yet their sales keep increasing.

[mgs]

almost weekly. since about....'97.

pretty much everyone knows the first thing I ask for, b-day, Christmas, etc, are gift cards for my lcs. that helps on the economic side.

secondly, my picks are sometime frivilous, but mostly not. I'll drop a comic asap if I don't like it's current direction. but I try most anything.

[Wesley Dodds]

Unfortunately, most of the titles I was reading have either finished or been cancelled.

I'm reading Amazing Spider-Man -- I've loved this title since the reboot. The weekly format means that I don't have to wait too long for stories to finish, the regular changes of writers and artists keep things fresh, and the tight continuity means that I don't have to worry too much about events going on in other titles.

Once I made the mistake of seeing what other fans were saying online -- apparently a lot of people are unhappy with the current run. There's a lot of talk about saving Spider-Man. One Day More was awful for many reasons, but I've managed to get past that because I'm enjoying the new stories. The format helps too.

I did buy some comics recently -- Final Crisis because I love Grant Morrison and because I heard it had links to Seven Soldiers. I enjoyed it (read it in one go) but was annoyed that I seemed to only have about 1/2 a story. In particular, it felt like Batman was doing interesting and awesome stuff -- off in a different comic.

I would like to buy more comics, but because I've been a bit out of the loop I don't really know what's good.

[ILLUS]

No. I itch for a trade now and then but i just can't afford to keep up. Ever since I started publishing comics I can barely afford to indulge every now and then to keep up with what is going on. It's pretty depressing.

[Quarterwolf]

But dude, Norman Osborne is the head of SHIELD!!!!
Actually S.H.I.E.L.D. is now H.A.M.M.E.R. Noone is sure what the acronym stands for but I think he means his penis. *

And I Still get all the books I always got. What can I say. I have no life. *sob*

*Dr. Horrible Joke. Love that DVD.

[xgeek52]

i haven't bought a book since november of last year -- mostly because of economic reason...while i remain a true comic reader at $3.99 a pop i refuse to enrich a company that doesn't enrich me...

i've been reading comic since i was nine and i'm in my fifties now...i don't do superman anymore, and it was a staple in my youth....i don't do spiderman anymore (brand new day killed it for me)...and i'm very selective about any marvel title -- especially when it comes to the x-men...

i was talking with a couple of posters on another site and we came to the conclusion that many of the comic companies are losing the older readers (like me) because we see what said companies are doing to the characters and the books...i can stomach bad writing and bad art -- but not at $3.99 a pop...

i love comics...i grew up on dc and marvel and some of these new lines are showing som bold moves...but in their arrogence (sp) the companies expect us to accept every idea they shove down our throat...

perfect example is the messiah war, right on the heels of worlds apart....and right on the heels of the announcement that claremont is doing two new books...

each issue of each book was/will be at least $3.99...and those who choose to do trade will have to wait...and we will pay it...

i like comics... but i don't know if i will be buying to many anymore...

thus ends the rant...

[lou-bert vs. q-bert]

I am not buying comics new or old right now. I had to stop because work and money has been slow, and I need the money to pay for rent, utilities and food. It's a shame and I miss doing it. Because I really like Spider-Man.

So I've been reading a lot of my back issues, ones I've missed, ones I've already read. All of the stuff is really good. When I get back on my feet I will start up buying new ones again.

[Dreadstar]

But dude, Norman Osborne is the head of SHIELD!!!!


Actually S.H.I.E.L.D. is now H.A.M.M.E.R. Noone is sure what the acronym stands for but I think he means his penis.


Suddenly, I feel no guilt for not buying monthlies.

[brocca]

...the companies expect us to accept every idea they shove down our throat...

Dear friends, dear xgeek52,

for nearly four years inbetween twothousandone and twothousandfive I didn't read American comics--when I entered a comic shop again feeling guilty like an anonymous alcoholic a Whilce Portacio drawn book attracted my attention, it was almost identical to one I remembered having seen years before, a rehash of the same material.

In that moment I had a sensation as if I was in that movie with Bill Murray and the wood chucks in which the guy had to re-live one and the same day on and on.

I wouldn't want to call the comic companies arrogant--in the Eighties we called what they do "overkill"!

We are overkilled by monthly comic books!!!

Look at, for instance, 'Spider-Man'. We readers are forced to re-live the angstridden early days of Lee and Ditko in the guise of Peter Parker for forty-odd years on end--we are not expected to accept every idea but just o n e idea endlessly for decades!

And what frightens me a little is: there are months I'm enjoying this. I liked Chris Bachalo's rendition of 'Hammerhead'--but then again I still can remember Ross Andru, you see?

It's darn frightening,

greetings

[Beni]

I buy comics! :smile:

But I limit to only my favorite ones, like X-Men comics

[howyadoin]

Well, games take more effort than watching a movie on your ipod...I dunno, squinting can be hard work.

[StarsAndGarters]

Why, yes I am. If I didn't enjoy it, I wouldn't.

[Mr. Dustin]

I do, but very sparingly. I would say that I buy maybe 5-7 books a month now.

[Mr. Dustin]

I do, but very sparingly. I would say that I buy maybe 5-7 books a month now.

[Mermaid]

I am......but only just. They're fairly expensive in here because they're imported. $5.99 doesn't sound that much for one but it soon adds up and I have things like food and rent that come much higher up my priority list.

I'm doing well if I buy two a month

[Jaye]

I went just over a year without buying new comics. After the event where there was a new Aquaman, whatever that whole thing was called, I couldn't stand reading anymore. My favorite Batman titles has both been cancelled (the ones that were stand alone, and never tied into corssovers). All that, and I left my job, so money was tight.

Eventually, about a month ago, I went back into the shop and spent a lot of money on TPB's (they finally collected Local!!!!). It was a great purchase, I was happy to catch up on some stories that I was enjoying (Iron Fist; Hellboy; Daredevil, All Star Superman), and I was happy just ot be back in the comic shop. I didn't know I missed it until I was there. Now, I feel the pull back in and am getting hooked again, but I'm sticking to trades and collections, since they are far easier to store in my small apartment.

All that said, I voted no, becuase I used to buy weekely, and it feels like forever ago.

Jaye

[Jaye]

triple post, sorry

[Jaye]

double post, sorry

[The Beast Of Yucca Flats]

I'm still reading, but my pull list has gone through some culls lately (the latest victims: the Super-books except for Supergirl, and the Bat-titles).

[Serik]

I read them at the library every now and then.

Library cards have saved me so much money over the years

[suttercain]

Just dropped two Benjamins over at instocktrades a couple weeks ago.

[Bergman]

I'm not buying regularly anymore. Mostly because I just don't find myself getting around to reading what I buy anymore. Also I only have one day off during the week, a round trip to the comic shop and back home is about an hour, and with my new Tivo I'm watching more TV.

[darkkeeperjr]

Not for while now. I go to the library online and order what trades they got. May be a while before I get them,still it's new stuff to me.

[crazyredlady]

just bought my first yesterday (Bone) gotta love the bargain bins! Only got it for four bucks. Now I gotta find volume two :smile:

[dupont2005]

just bought my first yesterday (Bone) gotta love the bargain bins! Only got it for four bucks. Now I gotta find volume two :smile:

that is a great book to start with!

[Nightstar1441]

Yep - it's my vice - would rather buy comics than go out drinking - comics last longer and give me more joy

[MarvelKnight]

I haven't been to a shop in over a year, I feel ashamed of myself. I tend to be buying graphic novels at Borders. I do not read most of them, as well.

[jessecuster3]

See, I've been doing much the opposite and tradewaiting on the IDW Transformers stuff while getting other comics as singles still. It's a little cheaper and, since I started out with the Infiltration trade everything looks neater on the shelf.

As such, I haven't yet read any of the All Hail Megatron stuff. How's it been?

Its great, I am really enjoying it.

[Nabhori]

I will buy or read Graphic Novels, not comics anymore - no paper backs. I like the Starwars series Darkhorse do, Vertigo Y: The Last Man, Conan etc.

However truth be told I spend most of my reading on online webnovels i.e:

http://november-studios.com/corona/doves.html (I actually do this one)

http://www.seraph-inn.com/ (miss Elleton is very good to). There is so much out there with good content, plus I out grew the simple Superhero vs Super-Villan model - story and directing started interesting me more with less explosions and capes etc.

[ComiXFanBoy]

hasnt hit me yet. after a 40% discount, i spend about $250 a month of new issues

[ComiXFanBoy]

hasnt hit me yet. after a 40% discount, i spend about $250 a month of new issues