What makes you buy a particular comic?

[penciljack]

We're not talking in the general sense here ... we all know we buy "comics" because comics are awesome. We're talking about that comic - that one right there, in your grubby little hands. Why did you buy THAT comic? What is the single most compelling reason that made you spend your hard-earned cheddar on that comic?

[Mike V]

Sometimes the author, usually though, it's when something has been recommended to me or has received good reviews.

[The P.R. Man]

if a creator is halfway cool to me at the one con I go to, I'll pretty much buy whatever he puts out, be it artist or writer.

-or they're Garth Ennis.


typically it's due to the charecter, or the artist, or I just heard it was a cool title.

edit: and if I happen to have money.

[Orphangrinder]

This is another poll where there's no good choice. :)

I'm usually either buying a book because there's a general consensus that it's good, or because I'm a fan of the artist. In the latter case, I often don't even end up reading it, because the story's probably garbage.

[penciljack]

They're ALL good choices.

[Zippy]

This one is tough. I went with characters because I'll buy a book with so-so art or so-so story. But I'll never buy a book that I think is based around crappy characters.

Hack/Slash and Lady Death are probably the only two floppies that I buy every single month. One has so-so art but a good story. The other has awesome art with a story that might have come from the mind of a mentally deficient orangutang. Both have great character designs and really cool concepts.

[CoreyPledger]

I voted writer. I don't care about who the writer is in particular, and I love looking at different art styles. I just like a good story.

[Rey de las Cabras]

I think a key item that is missing is 'The Buzz'. I've almost fallen off the map when it comes to comics and can barely keep up. When I do find time to shop, I go to a local shop and ask what's good, or what has a 'staff pick' flag. Same is true of digital comics...looking for reviews on blogs etc.

[penciljack]

Yeah, but "buzz" is too easy. Everybody who's followed comics at any length has bought something because of buzz, whether it be buzz about a particular creator, a controversy or something else.

[Popninja]

I'm typically drawn to an artist. For example, if Arthur Adams is drawing it, I WILL buy it, no question. Same with guys like Cheung or Coipel, Immonen or JRJr, Jim Lee or Jason Pearson and so many others. As far as writing goes, I love Kirkman's Invincible and would probably continue to buy it no matter who was drawing it, unless it was Liefeld or Bagley or someone whose work I just do not like. Same with writers like BKV or Morrison. Typically I'll read just about any comic they write, unless the art is just detestable, then I stay away. I gave up buying X-Men in the early aughts because the writing made me sick, but has the art been fantastic, like Scott Lobdell doing the writing on a Jim Lee drawn comic, I would have stuck around.

But typically, I pretty much buy comics for the artwork. Great writing is icing.

[CoreyPledger]

I guess that's the difference though, some people like the art, and to me the art is essential, but for the most part, I'm always looking for a story that drags me in and keeps my attention. Bad art can ruin some stories for me, but I always want something, no matter who's doing the work, that really snags my brain and makes me want more.

[Selkirk]

has to be the penciller...without the nice lines all we have is something rather ridiculous(could be argued that with the nice lines all we have is something rather ridiculous...but still they are nice to look at :D ).

[InkDrop]

1. Penciller ( The whole art team really )
2. Characters
3. Writing
4. Foil-Stamped-Glow-In-The-Dark-Limited-Edition-Embossed-Cover-Polybagged-With-Scratch&Sniff-Limited-Run-Poster-And/Or-TradingCard.
5. Storyline (disregarding all of the above) If I'm really into a storyline I will follow it across a plethora of books.

[cbikle]

Pretty much buy books based on who's writing them, although I'm more likely to give a new writer a shot if his book's art is done by Alex Roth or Mike Allred.

For me, the art has to be glaringly good or bad to play into the equation.

[NickRocks]

If Frank Miller or JRJr is involved

[jeremy dale]

Above and beyond the obvious "all are great choices" generic answer, for me it's the artwork. If it's done well and catches my eye, I'll give it a chance. Great writing? Sometimes that'll lure me in, but it'll keep me if the artwork is great. Great art? I'm a sucker every time, even if the plot is little more than 'splosions and fightin'.

[Spidey]

A multiple choice option for the poll would have been handy, but it is mainly for the neat art. Most of the time however, it's due to a nice combination of writing and art.

[penciljack]

Multiple choice answers are too easy! ;)

[Bruce Lee]

Since I buy a lot of old comics, I'd have to say nostalgia! lol. In days of old, the character alone was enough to get me to buy a comic. Then again, in days of old, comics were a helluva lot cheaper. 50 cents was a lot easier to risk than the current $3-$4 comic book prices. Now after decades of comic buying, I'm a lot more selective.

I need the whole package to make me truly happy, but the artwork is the thing that has to always be top notch if I'm going to put down my money down on a book. The story can be written by a genius, and I still won't buy it unless the accompanying artwork is up to snuff. If I wanted a book just for the story alone, I'd buy a novel and get a lot more bang for my buck. The artwork matters with me, big time.

[amadarwin]

The single most compelling reason is the art. The artist doesn't necessarily grab me first, because I notice the ART first. THEN I'll look at the artist, if I'm not familiar with the style. Quite a few times, I've grabbed books off the shelves from artists whose style is similar to one I like. Then I read a few pages to see if the dialogue and premise grab me. I barely ever check the writing credits though. If those pages grab me, then it's sold. Only after digesting it multiple times will it warrant another go for a consecutive issue if worthy.

The only exception to that quite possibly is Powers. I NEVER picked that book up. EVER, well, mostly. Oemings art just kills my eyes. Only recently did I buy the first TPB because of the hype it's always gotten. And I loved it. Still don't like Oemings art though.

[Huerta]

I buy because of the Artist AND Writer. People forget comics is a 2 man ship and both should be doing great work. If only focused with writers, I'd just stick to novels and artists, art books.

[Popninja]

I buy because of the Artist AND Writer. People forget comics is a 2 man ship and both should be doing great work. If only focused with writers, I'd just stick to novels and artists, art books.

And that's why I consider Ultimates 3 basically a Joe Mad art book.

[50%grey]

Unfortunately there is to many Awful writers in comics to keep up with the amazing artists. So you are kind of stuck buying just for the artist.

The artists usually create the best books anyway... Maybe because they realize it is a visual medium, and not a word balloon fest.

[cbikle]

Unfortunately there is to many Awful writers in comics to keep up with the amazing artists.

Maybe you're just reading the wrong comics ?


The artists usually create the best books anyway... Maybe because they realize it is a visual medium, and not a word balloon fest.

C'mon, now you're just being silly.

[Huerta]

And that's why I consider Ultimates 3 basically a Joe Mad art book.

Pretty much.

[Wo-Nellie]

I'm fairly selective in my comics reading, though I do like to peruse to keep on top of current events.
The thing that initially draws me to a book is kick-ass artwork, followed closely by a great cast of characters (sorry Bwana Beast but no matter how well you're drawn you just don't do it for me). But what keeps me glued in is the writing.
Having just great writing alone with bad art doesn't make much sense to keep reading; why not just read straight prose?

[deniel]

Style and design of that comic

[Donnstar]

Story. The art is secondary. I like Kentaro Miura's style. He's ****ing beast.

[Bevan]

In most cases, I will pick it up for the writer. When Grant Morrison was writing New X-Men, I read New X-Men, and when he stopped, I stopped. I will pretty much never pick it up for the artist, with the one exception being Batwoman, which I was largely drawn to because of J. H. Williams III's art.

Of course, if I find the premise of that particular story compelling, I will also take a look at it. I really got into How Loathsome, Scalped, and other books without first knowing the writer. But ultimately it was still the story and writing that got to me. Certainly art is a pivotal part of comics, but as a writer, I am drawn to the writing first and foremost and would rather read a strongly written story that has mediocre art than a mediocre story that has great art.

[Toddoss]

well for me I normally will go by opinions of people I trust but if I'm just mulling about I go by character, art, writer in that order and the first two are what really will determine if I buy it. Mainly because its easy to flip through a comic in the store and judge the overall quality of the art so I know what I;m getting into however you cant just flip through a book and pick up the writing or story as quickly or as solidly as you can with art. If I'm buying for story its a craps toss until I read the entire book whereas with art its much easier and quicker to judge if its worth my "cheddar"

[CrazyDiamond]

I buy because of the Artist AND Writer. People forget comics is a 2 man ship and both should be doing great work. If only focused with writers, I'd just stick to novels and artists, art books.

Not always. In fact more often than not it's a one man ship with the artist and writer being the same person. I prefer comics where the person that wrote the comic drew the comic because it is truly their vision.

Usually I am drawn to a comic because of the art. But I am most interested in the feeling of a comic. What it can offer to me as an artist and a person. I think of comics like I do any other art. (music, painting etc) I think of them as pieces of me that I am collecting. And after I have absorbed the art it becomes a part of me from that point on.

[Chuckcamo]

Every now and then I buy for the art, only because I appreciate the style. When I was much much younger it was all about the art, usually the cover art is what sold me. It had to be complex, imagery and moving, if the cover was kickass I was buying it lol.

But now it's all about the story line, it has to draw me back and be worth reading again. There's too many comics with interesting titles and great art but no reading content. My art taste has changed over the years, it went from complex to simplex and my reading went the opposite. :cool:

[basil81]

The first thing that hits you when you peruse a comic store is the cover art, so that's key to grab my attention enough to pick it up and look through the first few pages to see if I can get into it. Secondly, I'll scan the interior art and look for clarity in storytelling, the art has to be good by default to meet this requirement. Then, the characters, who I count on to keep me interested enough to want to read on and on. I would equate good characters (and by extension a good plot) to the finely tuned concerted efforts of both the artist and the writer. I chose 'Characters' as my choice in this poll (holy crap a giant flying bug just flew in my face!!)

[Comrade Hero]

My town is that small that we've never had a dedicated comic book store here ever since I can remember (going back thirty plus years). If you wanted comic books you typically found a limited selection in general book stores until the Interweb brought the world to your doorstep, which for me is the town of Taupo in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Because most of my purchases - both comic books and graphic novels - have been online, the cover art hasn't really sold me on the product. It's typically been reviews and recommendations that made up my mind with parting with my virtual coin, with the creative team (artists and writers) on the comic book or graphic novel the secondary consideration.

[Matt001]

I want to punch you.

[Matt001]

"I want to punch you." What kind of drunken shit is that? How rude. I'm sorry for all the drunken nonsense here. I've been having a ton of creative issues, lately, topped off with the death of my dad, and I haven't dealt with it well. Look for all new drunken nonsense at Blogger.com, "Matt LaRock's Stuff". Good bye.

[Billy Certain]

I honestly have no idea why I buy the comics I do, but I think I can boil it down to two reasons - suggestions or feel. If someone recommends me one and gives me an idea of what it is I usually end up checking it out. But most of the time, when I just hit up the comic shop on my own, I want something different. Something I haven't seen before, or a topic or genre that is being taking in a new direction. I bought Superman: Red Son not too long ago (I know, I'm behind), but I loved it. I'm not usually one for super-hero comics (with the exception of a few like Marvels and others) or Superman either, but it was quite enjoyable. Never been one for Mark Millar either.

Writers can also have a huge influence on me as I eat up anything by Garth Ennis, my favorite of his might just be Chronicles of Wormwood. Was the first of his I read. Picked it up cause I just loved the concept of it.

[turnbolt]

For me there is a heirarchy to this decision... a set of priorities if you will. Typically number one for me is the character. Whether it is a character I love or a new character who really captures my interest... that is what will draw me to pick up a book initially. Second on the list would be pencils... it's the artist in me. If someone I love has drawn the book... I'm in! Then comes the writing credit... really those are my big draws. I could care less about colors or letters as long as one of the other priorities falls into place. I don't limit myself with labels either... whoever puts out a good comic puts it out.

[MRosa]

The writer. That's why I have a shelf full of Alan moore comics.

[Lindsay]

its hard to choose ,sometimes the character(s) ,sometimes the writer
I also like the stories of game ,such as Grimlands (http://www.dotmmo.com/grimlands-7105.html),
Zynga Bingo (http://www.dotmmo.com/zynga-bingo-7049.html),
MechWarrior Tactics (http://www.dotmmo.com/mechwarrior-tactics-7036.html) and
Astro Garden (http://www.dotmmo.com/astro-garden-7025.html)

[chuck001]

I buy comics only of comic characters. Some of my favorite comics are Sandman, Green Hornet.

[SeqArtMark]

I like a good story but the reason I buy a comic is because of the art, namely the penciller. Most of the comics I own are just reference material since I only read them once; I peruse the art again and again. My thinking is that the art is what makes comic books different than other media. I love a good story (like I said) but I can find a good story in a movie or on TV or even a book so the only thing a comic gives me that those don't is good artwork. That's just me, though.

[killingyouguy]

This is another poll where there's no good choice. :)

I'm usually either buying a book because there's a general consensus that it's good, or because I'm a fan of the artist. In the latter case, I often don't even end up reading it, because the story's probably garbage.

That's the problem with buying for an artist. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big art nerd. And I will occasionally buy a book just because of the artist involved, or the colorist if it's Dean White - almost as a cheap art book, if that makes sense. But I buy comics to read them, not to look at them, so at the end of the day, everything comes down to writing. In most cases, that means a writer I know and love. Fraction, Ennis, Ellis, Bendis, Brubaker, Hickman, Morrison, Alan Moore etc. In some cases, it's a book I happen to pick up because I've heard it is good - like Locke and Key, or Chew, or the Unwritten. I'll admit to being a little too unwilling to try new stuff from people that aren't as established with me, unless I've heard great things. But I'm also pretty poor as comics get more expensive, and once I've got all the books that I HAVE to buy, the ones I might want to try become increasingly difficult to justify.

[Chris2.0]

In order:

Writer
Artist
Character

Perhaps because I'm a semi-published comic book writer...

And to be the Devilish Advocate - if one buys a comic just for the art, shouldn't one then buy only "silent" editions - without balloons or SFX? Or to go even further - the panels should be printed randomly, or all full splash page size?

But that cuts both ways - so I'll have to buy a script in comic book format!

So I want to change my vote - it's either the writer or artist... And then the character... And then the other creatives... Publisher comes last...

[crazyjedichicken]

i will buy anything, and i mean anything, with chris bachalo artwork on it! i'd buy condoms if he drew the cover, even if i had read multiple reports of them bursting or causing rashes! to a lesser extent the same goes for humberto ramos. this has lead to me to read many many bad comics as those guys do covers for anything! also bachalo has a tendency to be replaced in the middle of a run with truly crap artists and i tend to skip over those parts of the story!

[Lonrott]

I am drawn to a comic for it's art, but after two or three pages, I would only buy a comic for the story. Who tells the story doesn't really matter. A great artist is good to have but if he/she is just creating beautiful panels of nonsense, then I feel like...well go do a painting or something that is less story intensive. The story always wins out. The story can have a write or an artist alone can tell it, but if it isn't good then so what? A movie can have a great director but if the story makes no sense....then so what? Great actors, same thing.

[Hola-Avenger]

Art is what catches my attnetion, then that leads me to see who the writer is, sometimes u get an amazing color artist though which helps.

[watchdog]

Art is what catches my attnetion, then that leads me to see who the writer is, sometimes u get an amazing color artist though which helps.

-- my comment has been edited to preserve at least some small sense of nicety in this thread.

[The P.R. Man]

Oh, if he's trying to join the conversation, and isnt being an ass don't bag on the guy

[sadman2000]

I like to see a good mix of everything. I.E. if the art is terrible but the writing is good I'm not gonna buy it. I mean if I just want a good story I'll buy a novel. And I hate novels lol. To me, comics are the essence of collaboration, if one of the collaborators suck at their work, the comic is ruined in my mind. Comics need good art, just as much as they need a good story. Otherwise, you're better off with a novel or an artbook. Call me picky, but it's just the way I feel.

[My name is Tommy]

I think "Covers" and possibly "Story" should be added to the mix. I'm influenced by "buzz", but the majority of non-big-two comics I have ever bought are comics I never heard about until I was in the shop the day I bought them. The first thing that pulls me in? Covers. Now, that wouldn't be my answer. My answer would be "Story", or "Synopsis/Blurb". The cover grabs me, then the synopsis wins me over or makes me say, "eh".

Of the choices here, I went with character(s). Basically because it's closest to story of the given choices.

I'm more likely to buy a comic based on a writer than the art, but that still rarely happens. If I have to choose, I'd choose great writing and passable art rather than vice versa. Being a writer myself, I may be biased. And, not to disrespect these guys, but I don't think I've ever bought a book because of the inks(unless subconsciously), colors, or especially, letters. These are vital pieces to the creative team that are greatly under-appreciated. I'm guilty of said under-appreciating myself, sadly:(

[Sirenasaba]

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[Jaxster]

I think we forgot a story option

[JoseWarner]

All are good but "The Character(s)" will fours me to buy a comic.




......................
watch the good wife episodes (http://www.tvs-the-good-wife.com/) online for free

[hellospaceboy]

There are a couple of writers I will pick up even without knowing anything about the book itself: Neil Gaiman (unfortunately not a whole lot comics these days), Warren Ellis (same here), and as far as publishers go, I'm still a sucker for Vertigo.

And I'm more and more interested in independent books...

[SkittleJuice]

Hey all,

New to the forum, and this is my first post. I figured it might be a good neutral place to start.

When I buy a comic (or tradePB) it's usually after a thorough review of everything the book has to offer. Of course, I think the cover and general presentation is what draws me in at first. I read mostly small press/indy stuff so those usually have quite a creative approach to the overall design of the book.

If something catches my eye, I read the blurb on the back (if it has one), and that will usually tell me enough to know if I'd enjoy the story. Regardless, I'll always start paging through the whole book to get a general feel for everything it has to offer. I'm seeing if I can "read" the story easily without actually having read any of the text. I also just like to look at the artwork because I enjoy art so much. But if the stars align, and I start thinking that maybe I want to buy the book, that's when I'll start reading the first few pages. If I can't put it down, and I really want to keep reading, then I know I'm going to buy it.

There have a been a few rare exceptions to this though. "Dr. McNinja" is a recent one. My regular comic-guy told me the title, I saw Dr. McNinja was riding a rainbow motorcycle on the cover, and it was ridiculous enough to peak my interest immediately.

I think there's a sort of magic to finding a new comic. It's very personal and it's a different experience for everyone. :)

[SPINE]

poor inkers :(

[SkittleJuice]

Inkers are the unsung heroes of comics. I have a lot of respect for inkers, too, because I can't ink very well at all... So, to be fair, penciler + inker combo is what draws me to the art of a book. I can actually recall several times where I didn't purchase a book because the inks made it unreadable. I can also recall a few random books I've picked up just because the inks were so stunning. It's a shame inkers don't get as much recognition.

[Jack Wong]

For the most part I get a comic for the story, so I voted writer - but I really can't read a comic with bad art either. If the art is bad, the story has to be that much better, to the point that I can zone the art out and still enjoy it. If the art is amazing, and the story is horrible, I'll zone out on the story and just see it visually - but that's only if the art is blowing my mind.

I guess my stance is that I buy the comic for the product - the combination of everyone's efforts. There are writers that will make me buy a product (Scott Snyder for example) and artists (Jock, say). But I think that for a comic to really be worth it it has to be a team effort (The Black Mirror). That's the good stuff. A good team.

[showamerica]

Usually I didn't read comics but I like some of books that make me smile but unfortunately I didn't know the name of author.

[s.grunow]

Usually creators or specific characters make me pick it up initially. Art and story are what keeps me coming back.

Sent from my LS670 using Tapatalk 2

[Exoravant]

Ok I'll admit it- sometimes its because I want to redo the art...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[amzee90]

sorry my post in wronge section

[deimosremus]

I haven't bought any comic books in quite a while, I only buy trades and comic artist's art books. But I have to go with the penciller. Ink is an art unto itself, but I believe that it's the original drawing that matters most. This doesn't exactly apply to what I buy though, nearly all the artists I like both pencil and ink their own work.

[Gazz-Salad]

For me its typically the title, or if the comic is recommended to me before hand. Like I would of never known Exile's existed had a friend never made mention of the love child between Scarlet Witch and Night crawler. But if I'm out at the store or a convention it's the title most of the time that catches my eye as well as the cover art.

[Ollivieri.art]

Honestly, for me it's the writer, I follow writers not characters at the big two, if Grant Morrison writes it for example, I buy it, however I do also buy because I like the art, it's just writer seemed like the one I do the most.

[FD]

Lately, I don't really have any special and particular reason. - Sometimes I buy because any reason at all, and sometimes I just don't buy because any reason eather... I don't really know, but I think that it depends of my mood.

Sometimes it can be because of the art, it can be because of the author, or it can be just because of the plot... But there is no special reason at all.

[e_t_i]

The artwork.

[ellispart3]

both writer and artist..but i think the writer carries more weight with my choice.

[Apprenti L'Artisan]

I buy for the artwork. I'm not actually that bothered by the story (though I do read and enjoy the comics as well, and I do have some favourite writers), it's the penciller and the inker/colourer that I'm interested in. I believe that if the artist's good, you can almost read the story without the words. I also love admiring other artists' work and being introduced to new talent. And as a penciller, I love copying and studying the pictures too.

[malachimanson]

Art can kill a book or it can save a book. This holds true to writing as well. I've stopped reading books because either the art or the writing sucked. I like a good mix of the two and that is what I aim for well written and drawn books. There are times I've read a graphic novel I bought for the art and hated it because the story sucked or I've bought a book of a writer I like and the art just wasn't flowing well the storytelling wasn't there in the panels. Its a combo of the two.