What's the most important thing in picking up a new title?

When you decide to start reading a new title, what is the most important factor for you? For me, it's whether or not characters I like are featured.

Usually the writer. After that the artist and plot. Characters usually don't factor in right away. If the first two do their jobs any character is worth reading.

It's kind of hard to decide to pick up a new title in our day in age without considering the fact that this title could be cancelled after 3 issues. Yes, I'm looking at you "Ravagers". I dished out so much money to catch up, only to find out that the series is getting cancelled. Things like that just make me stick to what I'm already reading, and not want to consider picking up a new title.

@longbowhunter said:

Usually the writer. After that the artist and plot. Characters usually don't factor in right away. If the first two do their jobs any character is worth reading.

I agree with this 100%.

Is it just me or was this exact same thread created like a day or two ago?

Regardless I'd have to say quality writing (words > pictures) and accessibility (I don't give a damn about what happened in issue #251, etc.)

The writer and the artist.

Reviews

@Chaos Prime: I should have mentioned that's also important to me. I'm not going to read a book everyone hates.

From most important to least:

1. Writer
2. Premise
3. Character(s)
4. Artist

@Xwraith For me, it usually depends on the current writer and/or artist and the character of that title. As to catching up on a current title, it depends on the crossover or story arc I'll start off reading and how much issues the title's already released that i'll have to back-track and catch up on (buy the novels, unless an issue in the book is of important value); other than that, i'll jus wait 'til the right time to jump into the title such as writer exchange which usually leads to a "restart of the on-going series" or a relaunch.

@Xwraith said:

@Chaos Prime: I should have mentioned that's also important to me. I'm not going to read a book everyone hates.

Long gone are the days i would order a new comic because it had so & so or was written by so & so im afraid.

Thats the great thing about the vine on the whole unbiased reviews.

@Mannequin said:

It's kind of hard to decide to pick up a new title in our day in age without considering the fact that this title could be cancelled after 3 issues. Yes, I'm looking at you "Ravagers". I dished out so much money to catch up, only to find out that the series is getting cancelled. Things like that just make me stick to what I'm already reading, and not want to consider picking up a new title.

To be fair, it lasted 12 issues... Team 7 and Sword of Sorcery only lasted like, what, five?

But yeah, I have to like the characters involved in the book, that's primary for me. Secondary is creative team. Only truly horrendous writing and/or art can keep me from reading characters I love (looking at you, Worlds' Finest...)

I go through a process, basically.

1: Is it Marvel or DC? If it's Marvel, I probably don't want it. If it's DC, I probably want it.

2: Did Scott Snyder or Jeff Lemire write it? If yes, BUY IT NOW.

3: Does it have Batman or Swamp Thing in it? If yes, BUY IT NOW.

The artist.

The plot. If the story sounds interesting, I will give it a look. I would definitely give preference to a writer or artist that I like but it has to be an interesting story concept to me.

The writing. If the writing is good, I can overcome most other problems. If the art's not my favorite or it's not a character I already know and like, good writing will get me past it.

The concept

Even if the book is filled with favorite characters, if the point of the tea or book does not catch my interest I very well may pass on it

If you're worthy enough to read the title...

WHAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN PICKING UP A NEW TITLE? Simple. Don't sneeze all over it.