Are you a casual fan or hardcore fan?

[pepper]

I guess I'm casual, in the sense that, I'm not going to keep reading a title if it's rubbish, just out of habit or brand/character loyalty.

[TheFerg714]

Do you consider yourself a hardcore or casual fan?

Honestly, at this point I think I have to consider myself more of a casual fan.

I say so because:

1. I'm honestly not so concerned about Marvel's business practices. I do get involved with the sales arguments and discussions but what Marvel does behind the scenes doesn't affect my purchasing decisions. I buy what I like and most importantly what I can afford. Anything beyond my budget I drop. That's why things like double shipping don't bother me in the least. The second I can't afford it, I move on. There are more important things in life like gas, food e.t.c; comics, movies and video games can conveniently be put on the back burner.

2. I don't actually have any opinion on events or what not. Yes, events do disrupt storylines and can be grating... but will I stop buying events? not really.

3. Promotions and incentives don't really offend me. At all. Case in point was the hoopla over Amazing Spider-man 700. A lot of fans were really pissed off at how Slott and Wacker promoted the story, personally, I didn't feel offended in the least bit. The guys had to promote their book and they did so in a pretty hilarious way (Spider
-man fans are pretty sensitive though) Re-numberings, variant covers e.t.c don't really bother me. I don't actually look for them and I'm not a collector, so if Marvel puts out 52 covers on a book, I pick the one I like (and can afford) and I move forward with my life.

4. I don't really feel stories should be written to service existing continuity. I'm not suggesting that a character like Captain America should pick up a gun and start blowing people away but if he's in a tough situation and has to take a live or lives, I don't see why that can't be depicted in the title. What Marvel did with Cyclops is a good way to advance and develop a character within the existing continuity.

By your definition, I am definitely a casual fan. I'm all about a good story. If I get that, I'm happy, if not I move on. It doesn't make sense to care so much about what creators "do with your characters." This is the reason why hardcore and casual fans are complaining. A good story and good writing should come first, then everything else. After all, then what's the point of literature?

[EuphemismForSex]

I don't think I have the energy to be a hardcore anything. Who can muster that effort?

[Shadowkat]

This is definitely me, in a nutshell. I mean, I'm a huge fan but there are other things that come before my love of comics. Our local comic book store owner doesn't know what to think of me because I come in so sporadically. He always says "You know, we get new stuff in every Wednesday?" I just come whenever I can. If I pick up a few variants, that's fine. It's a family affair, something we can all do together. I really enjoyed your post. I'm new here and I look forward to meeting and talking with everyone more.

[MonteMike72]

When I started reading Marvel comics all them years ago I was a Marvel Zombie, a Hardcore Fan.
I used to buy and read everything produced by Marvel.
When a certain artist became the EIC I quickly became a Casual Fan.
I pick up a few issues here and there and I don't follow any one book for very long. They just aren't that entertaining anymore.

[Pat Thomas]

When I started reading Marvel comics all them years ago I was a Marvel Zombie, a Hardcore Fan.
I used to buy and read everything produced by Marvel.
When a certain artist became the EIC I quickly became a Casual Fan.
I pick up a few issues here and there and I don't follow any one book for very long. They just aren't that entertaining anymore.

It sounds like you are still hardcore if you let a business move change your buying habits.

[MonteMike72]

It sounds like you are still hardcore if you let a business move change your buying habits.

Did you miss this? "They just aren't that entertaining anymore."
No business move just lack of enjoyment.

[Pat Thomas]

Did you miss this? "They just aren't that entertaining anymore."
No business move just lack of enjoyment.

No need to get defensive. I was just making an observation based on when you said you cut back.

[Filip]

I'm a softcore fan.
I don't cry when someone doesn't write my favorite character the way I want to.
I don't support the title anymore if the writing isn't up to my liking.
I don't buy toys, busts, clothes or other superhero merchandise.
I don't go to conventions.
I take whatever entertainment I can get from the comic and be just a fan.

[Beni]

Sometimes I am hardcore, most of times casual... so I am casual fan