I'm down to a core group consisting of the following:

-LoEG (comes out so infrequently that it isn't really an issue keeping up)
-Indestructible Hulk
-Avengers
-New Avengers
-All-New X-Men
-Uncanny X-Men
-Superior Spider-Man
-FF
-Fantastic Four (thinking of dropping)
-Thunderbolts (REALLY thinking of dropping)

Marvel zombie.

No wonder you can't hold your likker.

Actually, Action Comics has been consistently a good read.

I do miss OMAC, though. That was a fun ride. Hence, it was cancelled. Sigh...

I'm probably not the right person to ask. I've dropped down to two titles (Nightwing & Teen Titans) that I buy on principle rather than because I enjoy them. Heck, I don't think I've actually read a comic in something like six months.

There's a part of me saying that I should drop the last two since I'm not actually reading them, but I haven't been able to pull the trigger yet.

I'm so lousy at pulling the trigger that shortly after posting this list I found out about the Fury MAX series I'd been missing out on, thought of the great "Mother Russia" story from Ennis' "Punisher MAX" run and guess what promptly got added to the pull list and back-issues ordered?

Yeah, I know...

Wanting to read "Mother Russia" isn't a problem.

I just re read it while experiencing some stomach issues this weekend

Easy keep all of the Batman related titles. Once you have Batman you are all good, no need for anything else.

Drop the rest, then collect what you want in trades. Or catch up with what you wanna read at your local library. Just sit and chill in there and read. No need to sign it out.

I think the newest TPB at the library where I have a card is the original printing of "Bring on the Bad Guys". I'm not exaggerating. TPBs just aren't supported in a small town library. I was even amazed to hear from Mich and others that their libraries regularly stock them.

That and despite the fact I used to be a daily library user, I've been "banned" - well, unable to check out anything - from the library for almost ten years as I've refused to pay for an interlibrary loan book they insist I didn't return..

The only TPBs we have are really old

We have one where Bruce Wayne is suspected of being a terrorist because he spent so much time in the middle east, and like, War of the Worlds

And then some of the best ofs, like Daredevil Visionaries, and "Essential Ghost Rider"

[disapproving over-the-glasses librarian look] Really? [/disapproving over-the-glasses librarian look]

I cut my comic pull-list almost 20 years ago when I realized:

1) I didn't have enough time to read and enjoy my entire list,
2) Back issues could be had for a fraction of the cost of the monthly titles.

A side effect of waiting to buy floppies a year or so after they were initially published was that I found I wasn't actually missing titles enough to try to find the back issues!

These days, back issues are almost always available in two (typically inexpensive) ways: TPBs and Digital Download. TPBs, even at MSRP can be less than the cover price of the original issues. Digital Download's are often available on "sale", but even when not they are available if you decide to impulse buy.

There are also public libraries with awesome collections. I've read some great stuff that I would never have bought because of the time/money issue at the point-of-sale.

My own pulls are pretty slim, despite some great stuff coming out that I don't buy. I will admit that there are probably a couple of "legacy" purchases I make because I want that property to continue, even if I only read the floppies once a year.

I also don't want to be that guy, but most comics are available on the internet for free if you know where to look. . .

Hey, I returned it. Not my fault the high school kid they had working the desk misplaced an original copy of the "Letters of Ninon de L'Enclose" and I wasn't shelling out for it, even since the security tape footage showed me returning "a book".

As for the list, I've still a-ways to go, but "absolving" one-shots and limited series that are near an end has helped as has the fact that more than a few title are ending or have such horrific releasing schedules - "Flash Gordon" I'm looking at you - they're almost like "twice a year books" and, so, not really counting towards the 20.

I can't help you and your 30% off discount at your LCS. I just can't.

Voracious appetite for reading the medium that you have, I couldn't fathom reading that much.

Here's my Marvel list:

Av.Acad. Murderworld
An occasional ASM/SSM title from Slott


Here's the DC:
Batman
JLDark

Here's the other:

The Goon
Thief of Thieves
Mega Man

I'd recommend any of the ones I've got listed. Excellent in all accounts for varying reasons.

Good luck. I'd start with the crappy stories from Marvel (and there's a ton) and go from there. I'd even pair down the Bat-Titles. Maybe that's heresy......

Since you brought up Rucka's Punisher (and I enjoyed it also never really reading much Punisher previously), I suggest you consider looking at talent as much as characters. I have enjoyed almost everything Hickman's done from his start, Brubaker seems to spin a good yarn, and I'm with Slott (of course). Then there are guys like Fraction who are very hit or miss. Hawkguy and FF are excellent, but Fantastic Four is a bit stale and Casanova never worked for me. And then for whatever reason I enjoy Waid on DD and Indie Hulk, but don't check out his work at Boom.

There's a roster of writers I'll definitely check out when they start something new, too. But for characters that I follow... heck, even Darkhawk couldn't make me try Avenger-kids Murderama or whatever its called. And I even read good things... but I just can't do it. But the things I hear do make me try to stay open to whatever Hopeless does next.

Also, you gotta stick with Hawkguy!