The reason I buy a comic is...

[Shazam!]

Why do you buy a comic book? If a book has a great writer and awful artist will you still get it? If the book has a great artist and a terrible writer will you chunk the read just to post the pics? What makes a comic a must have?

[tekende]

I chose character, but it's not always that way. There are certain writers or artists I'll buy no matter what--I'll usually buy Warren Ellis, and for a while I followed Scott McDaniel over every title he did (up until Green Arrow, at which point my admiration for McDaniels's art was defeated by my loathing for Judd Winick's writing).

But most of the time my purchase is based on character. Unless the creative team is doing an awful awful horrible job, I will pretty much always buy Batman and Detective Comics, Hellblazer, the Flash, and Daredevil.

[e_t_i]

It's the art more than anything, but since that's not a choice , I picked artist.

[antquinonez]

agree with e_t_i. if someone had to stay, it would be the artist.

[enzobambino]

It's the words more than anything, but since that is not a choice, I picked writer.

[sadman2000]

Where's the I don't buy comics option?:p

[JimLeeforGod]

Where is the option for titties? :confused:



:D

[xadrian]

Where's the I don't buy comics option?:p

Seconded. I come here every day knowing full well I know so little about comics, don't buy them and don't draw them any more. I'm holding out hope that the spark will return some day.

[fatmancomics]

The story. I've learned not to follow artists or writers anymore since artists are just window dressing and writers can be hit and miss. For example, Kirkman's work is excellent with his creator owned titles but sucks (IMO) when he writes for Marvel and, to top it off, I don't always like the artists that he picks. Otley is my favorite of his cohorts and I don't always like the artwork in Walking Dead or Wolf-Man but I still collect them for the story.
Then there's books like Love Fights where the art would turn off any :::place popular comic book artist name here::: fan but the story is way above par with current comics. So, yeah, I collect them for the story.

[Jared Lee]

I voted that I get a comics based on characters.

I have been known to buy books because of the artist drawing them. I'll buy a Jim Lee even if it's a book a would normaly never read.

But I collect comics featuring Deadpool, and The Taskmaster.
I have a bigger Deadpool collection than a Jim Lee collection.

[smygba]

I picked artist. I'm surprised to see so many people saying it's the art, considering everyone slated fancy splash pages and all the writers are up their own asses these days, but i guess it's cos we're on an art board.

[korok]

I mostly follow characters, tho there are writers and artists that I like. I'm likely to try something new because of the writer and/or artist.

[Chico Blue]

A composite of writer, artist and subject matter.

[Dri]

I find it strange that some people who want to work in comic book making don't buy comics. I used to buy character based stuff but it had to have what I deemed to be good art. If they sold monthlies on lower grade paper and cheaper prices I'd be inclined to buy more but something really has to be eyecatching because in Australia we're forking $7AUS an issue.

There should be an option "All of the above". I'm a huge JRJR fan but won't buy the poor excuse of a crossover called 'World War Hulk.'

[sadman2000]

I find it strange that some people who want to work in comic book making don't buy comics. I used to buy character based stuff but it had to have what I deemed to be good art. If they sold monthlies on lower grade paper and cheaper prices I'd be inclined to buy more but something really has to be eyecatching because in Australia we're forking $7AUS an issue.

There should be an option "All of the above". I'm a huge JRJR fan but won't buy the poor excuse of a crossover called 'World War Hulk.'

While I can see your point, in all honesty pretty much all comics today either suck or don't come out on time, And the ones that do keep to a schedule I'm not interested in. It's such a sad world we live in.

[Dri]

While I can see your point, in all honesty pretty much all comics today either suck or don't come out on time, And the ones that do keep to a schedule I'm not interested in. It's such a sad world we live in.

That's really your opinion. Because there are so many comics out there you will get some sub standard product. My question to you is if you aspire to be a comic book artist, what is a good comic worth buying (if it were to be on schedule)? How are you going to be a good comic artist without reading comics?

It's not a sad world. You just have unbelievably high standards or that comics aren't interesting to you. The point of this reply is that not all comics today 'suck'. To some level you got to know what you are looking for or be pleasantly surprised by a well told story. It doesn't hurt either to learn from good comic book writers, artists, colourists and letterers if you are not up to a professional level.

[fatmancomics]

Good points greendri. And what the hell is wrong with WWH?!;) It's a hell of a lot better story than Civil War was and you don't have to buy a crapload of other titles to get the story like you do with the DC crossovers (Amazons Attack and Sinestro Corps for example). If it's not your cup of tea then that's cool but people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

[NickRocks]

definately artist. ill buy anything JRJr draws, as well as a handful of other artists. theres no writers that i feel that way about.

[sadman2000]

That's really your opinion. Because there are so many comics out there you will get some sub standard product. My question to you is if you aspire to be a comic book artist, what is a good comic worth buying (if it were to be on schedule)? How are you going to be a good comic artist without reading comics?

It's not a sad world. You just have unbelievably high standards or that comics aren't interesting to you. The point of this reply is that not all comics today 'suck'. To some level you got to know what you are looking for or be pleasantly surprised by a well told story. It doesn't hurt either to learn from good comic book writers, artists, colourists and letterers if you are not up to a professional level.

I probably should have a :rolleyes: after that last sentence. To answer your first question, I would definately buy All-Star Batman & Robin, No joke. It's sad that it never really got off the ground I was really hyped for that. To answer the second, I read comics, I just don't buy the new ones. I love 80's Batman, some classic Spider-man (with Kirby or McFarlane) and even some 90's X-Men stuff. I don't buy many of the new ones mainly because of the storyline being bad or the art being bad, Not to mention I like being able to read an entire story arc all at once, so on occasion, I'll buy a few trades, what I meant by "I don't buy comics" is don't buy them issue by issue.:)

[JimLeeforGod]

If its good art and bad story I would still buy it.
If its bad art and good story I wouldnt, Its just too
distracting to me.

I think I mainly feel that way because I'm a straight shot
penciler and nothing else. And I think whatever your focus
is what you would buy.....sooo.....If your a writer your gonna
go for the story, if your an artist your gonna go for the art,
if your a chronic masterbater then your gonna go with anything
from Adam Hughes, Frank Cho or J. Scott Campbell :D.....err unless
the story is really sexy and your really wierd :confused:

[FIG]

I buy books stricly for the art since being a kid. Of course if the story is solid, then thats a huge plus.

[ntholdenuk]

I buy mainly for the art.
Usually drop a title when an artist i dont enjoy takes over. There are exceptions I kept reading Stormwatch threw the whole Renato Arlem(Although I think he's got a bit better since) debacle before Warren Ellis and Tom Raney took over. It was touch and go though?

[sumdumguy]

I'm going to have to say 'artist'. Reason? Well, if the writing is good but the art sucks? You're royally screwed, if the writing is bad and the art is good? People will still at least buy the work for the 'art'.

Rare occassions where I break my own rule? Frank Cho. I liked his diddy on Spiderman, not too happy when the Doodson's took over (just my opinion) but I finished the series cause Frank started it (just to show my support).

SDG

[Vivat_Rex]

Story. If you have a great artist and a bad story, then you have not a comic book but a drawn photo book. If you have bad art and a good story, then you have atleast something walk away with. It has always been the story.

[Spaceghost]

Obviously it's different for everyone but for me it's the artist. I definitely have come to appreciate the story as I've gotten older but I'd rather just read the story without the art if I don't like it.

[Craig DeBoard]

For me it's the character.

The character was what got me into comics when I was a kid.

When I was 12 I didn't know who Alan Moore or Frank Miller or Jim Lee or Steve Ditko were.

But I did know who Batman was. And Spider-man. And the Hulk.

To me it doesn't matter who is working on the character (be them writer or artist) as long as they are doing a good job.

I could care less if it's Chris Claremont writing X-Men or if it's some dude who's only done small press indy work as long as the book is entertaining.

As for publishers, the only one I steer clear of for the most part is DC, but that's only because their continuity is so jumbled and with every book being involved in sort of crisis or involved with 52 I wouldn't know up from down reading one of those books.

Identity Crisis was the only thing I could stand for the most part and that was primarily because it was self-contained.

[Bruce Lee]

I buy back issues mostly. Usually Marvel Comics from the 1960s. Incredibly fun stuff!

I do occasionally buy comics drawn by certain artists or written by certain writers though-DC NEW FRONTIER and the recent SPIRIT series by Darwyn Cooke, for instance.

Loston

[larq2525]

There is no one reason why I will buy any given comic book. However, here are a few factors that go into my decision:

- I will buy any book that Richard Corben, Travis Charest, or Frank Quitely draws, regardless of the subject matter, so long as it is worth the money (i.e. there is a substantial amount of their work involved and not just a cover or a few pages).

- I will buy any book written by Warren Ellis.

- I will give any book published by Vertigo a try. Graphic novels, not so much, because if I plop down the cash and it's no good, I'll be out $15 to $20. I do, however, buy at least the first issue of every new Vertigo ongoing series to give them a shot.

[Highlander_77]

Well, really good artwork will cause me to buy a book that I would otherwise have no interest in, so if I would have to pick one reason, it would be the art. But that's not the only thing that would cause me to buy a book.


Of course, being that this is a forum full of artists and aspiring artists, it's not surprising that art would be the most popular choice on the poll.

[slash]

Editorial or whoever is in charge dictate the content of the comics it seems based on all these massive crossovers that require writers to work in unison. Even small publishers seem to micromanage now.

I'm not 5 so the adventures of Iron man don't fascinate me in and of themselves.

I would say creative team when they are creator controled works. Artist when they are company owned. Why artist/colorist? Because the art is the final product, great art can take mediocore continuity stuff and makes it fun.

The greatest full script story in the world isn't an enjoyable comic when the artist doesn't visualize it properly for the format of comics.

[Set Abominae]

I hated the art in 'From Hell' but I still got it because Alan Moore wrote it and I'm glad I did it's one of my favorite graphic novels.

[Chiboy!]

Artist... That's why I haven't bought a book in over a year now.

[spirit]

mostly characters, after that Artist or Writer.

I follow my favorite writers sometimes but I'll stick with a book for a character or artist. I'm giving The Spirit book a try even though Darwyn Cooke left and I'm sticking with Booster Gold because Jurgens is staying.

[boybed]

I love Spider-man comic book but I am always buying batman comic books...

[oqnet]

I picked writer, I've read some really good comic books that didn't have steller art in it and love them. Dead Eyes Open is a very good example the art wasn't the best but the story had me hooked. On the other hand when I think I was reading no mans land there were a few issues of batman that were so off the normal style I expected that I just couldn't take it. I think it was an issue where penguin was in it. But I think that was because it was so far out from what was normal batman art.

Definatly Art and Writing play a big part but most of the time I can ignore bad art if the story is good. I don't think I could say the same about ignoring the bad story.

[CarlosArtWrx]

It's tough. I like Brian Micheal Bendis, but it's hard for me to sit though Goldfish because of the inconsistent art.

Then there's Jim Lee, who's usually great fun, but the All Star team up was a little bland.

So for my the analogy would be: the writer is the Director, and the artist is the Actor. I follow directors and actors alike, but I will be willing to the the director the benefit of the doubt before I let the actor choose which movie I see.

Ultimately I'd have to say WRITER because that's where the comic begins and ends, they can always change artist. If the story was never any good, then what's the point?

[doc_doom2579]

I've never been able to say yes or no to buying a comic just on the art.

I like specific characters, but will buy (and have bought) any comic if a writer can put a decent spin on things.

Writer.

[Reclusive]

I would have to say characters, I like to see how they progress, with artist coming second. It is easier that way, I am lazy, so I just have regular titles attached to my pull box.

.Dave

[CrazyDiamond]

I voted artist for the reason if I like the artist but don't like the story I will still buy it, but if I like the story but don't like the artist I will never buy it.

[Crestmere]

Usually writers.

But I'm a writer.

[Bruce Lee]

The way I see it --if I'm faced with buying a comic and it has only the artwork alone going for it, I'd be better off buying an artbook, which will be more bang for my buck. If a comic only has writing going for it, then I'd probably do just as well to buy a novel. Again, that'd be more bang for my buck. What makes a comic book unique and different from an artbook or a novel is the combination of both the art and the writing working in unison. When both the artwork and the writing are good, I'm sure to buy the comic. When comics have good art and story content, I know that I'm guaranteed a real treat that other storytelling mediums can not hope to duplicate or deliver on. The marriage of art and writing together is what makes comics special. If one side of the equation falls down, it isn't as interesting to me, and I'm not likely to make a purchase.

Loston

[Wild&Uncouth]

DAMN! I knew I should have voted for artist.