geekent's Buy Nothing Year

For those that don't know, Diamond Comics has, essentially, a monopoly on the comics distribution market. I won't go into the long and storied manner in which this came about but what you need to know is that the bulk of comic books, graphic novels and related paraphernalia is distributed through this solitary company, and that once a month it unloads a 700 page catalog upon the comic shoppes of North America called Previews. Previews features every item Diamond is expecting to distribute in two months time, and while only comic book stores can order via Previews, consumers can buy the $4 tome and make their "want lists" which they can then give to their store of preference to ensure they get their might preciouses.

I was a Previews slave throughout most of my teenage years, spending more money than I can actually recall earning on comics, books, toys, games, statues, clothing and more 2 months ahead of time all the time. I never budgeted and some months were lighter than others but yeah, I was a full-fledged geek and I didn't really mind.

I don't look at Previews anymore, it's better for my sanity that I don't, but sites like CBR and Newsarama still run the major publishers (DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, Image) solicitations, and I like the chump I am, still read them, spoiling plot points for myself and spending my money before I earn it.

The latest lists are up now for DC, Marvel, and Dark Horse, which are solicitations for december... below the cut are the books I will be getting, and the books I would be getting were I still buying books in 2008.

Part of my experiment, which is why I'm starting this a month early, is to see how much my interest dwindles, if at all, during '08, and how my desires will change during this time. Will I still be making lists like these 6 months down the road?