Bleeding out the bad

This week in his Full Bleed column (not a permalink), Matt Maxwell speaks the truth that will, in all likelihood, never be accepted by some comics fans, no matter how many times people express it:

We as readers should be more concerned with solid storytelling (with all that entails), innovation in the field, diversity of genre material and recognition of the medium’s strengths. Yes, that’s a tall order. Sadly, they’re often neglected in the pursuit of the relatively easy pre-existing audience. I’ll be the first to step up and say that it’s far more difficult to write something for a new audience (I’m still working on it.) It’s far easier and less taxing on resources to write to expectations. No, not everyone does this. There are creators who go out on limbs on a regular basis. They don’t always succeed, but at least they put effort into it. Hell, entire companies find themselves in situations where they’re forced to do it, and sometimes the results are spectacular (even if they are short-lived.) And when your audience rejects these attempts resoundingly, it’s all that much harder to do it the next time.

Really, his whole column is on-point this week.

Again, let me take a minute to say this... If there is something in your pull list you just aren't enjoying anymore, just drop the fucking thing. Don't hope that, against all odds, it will get better. Chances are, it won't - especially if you haven't been digging it for a while. Supporting the same old crap that's irritating you repeatedly instead of trying something new is just stupid. It's not like you can't start buying it again at some future date.

If you love disco, think of it like an ABBA song. Just imagine it's sung by some comic you haven't tried.

Or, if you don't love disco, make fun of me.