That’s the question Chris Butcher poses. Looking over this week’s releases, he wonders if his wallet can handle the strain:
I’m just looking at all the books I wanted to buy from this week and last, and it’s well over 200 bucks, and that’s kinda crazy? A little? Maybe I’m just over-reacting because I’m trying to find space from all of this stuff on the racks and there ain’t space, maybe not. But you guys tell me; does your budget for comics and graphic novels allow you to buy everything you’d like? Do you suppliment purchasing with visits to the library or being a filthy stinking internet thief? Is there a larger the-economy-is-shit worry you have when deciding that the hideously underpriced $30 Local hardcover needs to go home with you today or not?
I think it’s a good question, especially considering that as the economy keeps slipping, more and more of us may have to make tough choices about our respective comics budgets. I know I’ve had to cut mine back severely, though I’ve gone over the proscribed amount already for this month. Sigh.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Not only can I not afford everything I’d like to get, I don’t have time to read it all, AND I’m running out of space. My long boxes are starting to sweat nervously. I think they can tell I’m debating whether I really need them or not.
September 18th, 2008 at 10:11 am
I’ve already had to pull about 15 comics I’d like off my list. I bet I’m gonna have to start pulling more too.
September 18th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Given that I don’t read anything but super-hero and genre books, and that I can find pretty much anything I want through my local libraries within a year, I don’t have this problem. And given how I am feeling about half of DC and all of Marvel, I will continue not to.
September 18th, 2008 at 10:43 am
For me, it’s easier to drop the event tie-ins from the big two, as I know that I can’t possibly keep up. The downside to this is that I don’t get my capes-n-tights fix.
And, yeah, I do have a growing pile of comics that I usually enjoy but haven’t read. I honestly don’t know what to drop.
September 18th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Luckily, I can afford all the comics I buy, and will continue to do so. The only ones I cancel are cause they are crap (achem Chris Claremont).
September 18th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
I try to keep it down to $40 or less a week, which isn’t too hard to do. Most of the stuff I want but can’t afford is still there waiting for me on a lighter week. I also don’t add anything to my pull without making a corresponding drop. Having already trimmed a lot of the fat from my list, the dropping part is getting more difficult.
September 18th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
elvee, I’d recommend getting your capes-and-tights fix from books like “Booster Gold,” “Manhunter” and “Powers,” which avoids the problem altogether. They’re stellar books with little-or-no ties into the big events that plague the industry right now.