Graphic Content
By Wally Flores Jr.

I think there comes a time in every comic reader's life where they have to look at what they want to read, and balance it with what they can afford to read. Some of us have had to go through that time more than once. As luck would have it, I'm there again. Nothing horrendous has happened. It's just that I need to start directing more of my disposable income towards larger investments. The end result though is that I have to be choosier about what I keep reading and what I might add. For me, this is a really difficult place to be. If a title is horrible, then it doesn't matter how much money I have. It just doesn't get it. However, if there is something about a title that I'm invested in outside of the story (writer, artist, character(s), completing the run) then I can easily be my own worst enemy. The nice thing about the current age of comics is that I can keep track of those titles I stop reading on a monthly basis and figure out how to keep reading them via trade. Sure, I could have done that in the past too, but now with how much the industry supports (and plans for) trades it's a truly viable way to read a title. I still prefer monthly reading, but this may be an opportunity to practice going outside my comfort zone. Still, not every title I drop will qualify for me continuing in trade form. Here is a little list of the titles that were winners (new titles), losers and those I'll likely continue reading or start reading via trades. Winners

These are the titles that I've decided to start reading monthly even though things have gotten tighter financially. Apocalypse Al (Image) - I'm a fan of JMS and this title looks to be a more comedic take on the end of the world. For some reason I'm thinking a comedic 'Torchwood'. The preview page amused me and it's a short commitment. Bad-Ass (Dynamite) - I'm so-so with the Kick-Ass character/universe (though I do read it), but I am a Deadpool fan. Those two factors ended up canceling out in the solicit. What got my attention was the description using "self-aware humor and biting sarcasm". So, technically it was the combination of Deadpool and one of my personality traits that resulted in me picking up the title. Oh, and limited investment as it's a limited series. Black Widow (Marvel) - I'm not a "fan" of Black Widow, but I don't dislike her. However, I am a fan of writer Nathan Edmondson and Phil Noto. Those two teaming-up for a comic that should combine a strong female lead and elements of espionage (which Edmondson nails)? I'm in. City: The Mind in the Machine (IDW) - An automated "big brother" concept that needs a human mind in order to function? I'm guessing that's going to go all kinds of wrong, and I want to read about it. Indestructible (IDW) - I can't say what it was that caught my eye for this title. I read Jeff Kline's work on G.I. Joe: Renegades, but nothing about it is was memorable. For some reason the idea of a "celebrity" superhero that isn't what he seems, just sounds interesting. The fact that it's a limited series was a factor. Justice League 3000 (DC) - I was originally excited to hear about this title and immediately had it added to my pull list when it was first offered. Then word came and Kevin Maguire wasn't going to be doing the artwork anymore, and the way that information came out was pretty upsetting to many (Maguire included it seemed). The title was getting pushed back, and I decided I wouldn't get it. The more I read the more my interest came back. While I'm still not happy with how I believe Maguire was treated, I'm giving the title a shot because Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis are writing. I was so-so with Howard Porter's work on JLA, but I like what I'm seeing, and if he did the new character designs I can get behind him being the regular artist. New Warriors (Marvel) - The original run of the Warriors is my all-time favorite run of any comic. I've been disappointed in the attempts to resurrect the team since then, but I'll support this attempt as I did the others. Punisher (Marvel) - The creative team from The Activity is now in charge of the Punisher. It's a perfect combo, and a no-brainer for me. Rogue Trooper (IDW) - It's Rogue Trooper, and unlike the last time the character was relaunched, this time they remembered to keep true to his gear being intelligent. I have to check it out and give it a try. Serenity: Leaves on the Wind (Dark Horse) - It's Firefly. That's all I needed to know. End of story. Umbral (Image) - Originally this title slipped by me. Then I came across a Newsarama article that referred to it as "The Dark Crystal meets Saga". I loved 'The Dark Crystal' as a kid and I'm loving Saga as an adult. That sold me. Due to an error I still don't have the first issue, but I'll have it shortly. I will be giving this one at least the first story to impress me even if I have concerns.   Losers

These are titles that I just can't see a reason to continue reading now with finances being what they are. They were already on the chopping block, this just made the choice easier. Indestructible Hulk (Marvel) - I found myself in the same situation with this title as I did with the relaunch of Daredevil's title. It's a consistently good read, but it seems to be going nowhere fast. If I hear of a really good story happening then I'll consider getting a trade of it, but for now I have no plans. Larfleeze (DC) - I was hoping for more from this title. Unlike most I didn't see it as a solid part of the Green Lantern corner of the DC Universe. I saw it as the follow-up to Threshold, and figured it would expand on the outskirts of the DCU, but the character of Larfleeze has never really held my attention, and frankly the title bored me. New Avengers (Marvel) - The main reason I was reading this title was because I like a lot of Jonathan Hickman's writing and it has Black Panther. The story was plodding, but after his FF and Fantastic Four run, I found value in that. Unfortunately, New Avengers has continued the trend of undermining T'Challa and Wakanda that I dislike (I don't know why Marvel is intent on dismantling the character and his country). Finally, the issues that crossed over with the "Infinity" even put the main storyline on hold with no obvious impacts beyond the team gaining a statue. My take is that if the main story can be interrupted for four issues with no carryover from "Infinity", then I guess Hickman doesn't have much faith/value in the main story. I don't see why I should.   Trades

Bad Blood (Dark Horse) - I've wondered in the past what might happen in a vampire story where a human had blood that turned out to be poisonous to them. This is that story. I'm interested, but not enough to go monthly, so I'll be planning to pick up a trade as it's a limited series. Curse (Boom!) - There was something in the preview of this story that reminded me of the movie 'Dog Soldiers'. I'm planning to get a trade of it if I hear it's at least a decent story. EGOs (Image) - I've seen a couple of previews for the first issue and it looks pretty interesting, but as an ongoing it was just missing a little something to get me to commit. I'll keep an eye open for what people think about it and likely get the first trade no matter what. Hacktivist (Boom!) - The concept of people that run a major social networking site also being people that work against "the system" sounds pretty interesting, but not enough for a monthly commitment. I decided I can wait until trade. Juice Squeezers (Dark Horse) - This story struck a chord with me that stirred up my enjoyment of 'Monster Squad' and 'The Goonies' (mentioned in the solicit). I just couldn't quite make the leap to commit to a monthly buy, so I'm just planning to enjoy a trade as it's a limited series. Revelations (Boom!) - With Paul Jenkins writing and Humberto Ramos doing the art, this was almost a certainty for me. However, as I'm already reading Asylum and Ten Grand I just can't see adding another title that will feel like another spin on the "fallen" detective-type person fighting evil. I figured it would work well as a trade. Twilight Zone (Dynamite) - JMS returning to storytelling for 'Twilight Zone'? I'm in. In this case though, I think I'll enjoy the story more in a collected form. I don't know if my patience could handle waiting month-to-month. While it seems I'm keeping pretty consistent in my reading/spending habits with the above list, that's actually not the case. I've been lucky in that some titles I read are coming to an end (for a variety of reasons). There are a few more titles I'll have to make calls on shortly, but in those cases I think I'll likely just end up going the trade route. Not my preference, but sometimes you have to do what you can in order to keep engaged in your hobby. This may be when I truly investigate/experience the trade route of reading comics as a primary method of reading. Of course, time will tell.

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