So it's a-okay to pirate?
I pirate pretty much every single comic I read. And if I enjoy it ALOT, and consider it something awesome, I buy it on trades and later on paperback to fit on the shelf. If I think it's good and integral to this or that storyline, I wait for the paperback edition to come out and get it.
...if I don't like it, I don't buy it. =P Thing is, this makes me buy a TON of comics, seeing as having them in your hand is a completely different experience than reading them on your PC. I love to experience both on every single comic I read. Reading them carefully on your hand is that one ritual I repeat with every single comic book, but reading them on a .cbr format on your computer, gets you to locate tiny details, and appreciate the art a whole lot more in a bigger format. Basically, I follow what I like, and still have all my main series pre-ordered in the store as soon as they come out. Most people who follow comics do this, because comic stores can't always keep all of the recent trades in and many times end up selling everything.
It's a good way to read comics without being spoiled just because you obtain your comic a week later when it comes out.