Story or artwork?

I'm the same there. If it looks good and not too confusing/busy (i.e. all the characters look the same) I'm more likely to pick it. However, I don't like it when it's too pretty since they tend to make characters look too alike in my opinion. There are always exceptions of course. A good storyline is always important, but often I need to care/like some of the characters as well. Of course, this is rarely a problem with manga since it tends to be more character-driven than other mediums, but still... if I stop caring about the characters I will stop reading it.

I prefer the storyline and the idea first. Not-so-good artwork isn't a big deal for me afterall. Take Fruit Basket manga as example. It has pretty simple (but not bad) artwork, but the whole storyline is really interesting, and it has nice ending too =)

Initially, I would always be caught by the art work. Its because its the immediate detail that we easily comprehend. Then, reading would follow which would really determine if it will get me to continue the interest or pass it over for something else. Then, there are those that I'd go with the theme of the story while not actually reading it first. Probably made researches about the title first before actually looking at the art work. Even if the art work goes along with the typical, as long as the story makes it more and more interesting, I'd probably be reading it through or perhaps, again and again.

If I judged manga by it's cover I wouldn't have read few very good ones. For example Fuyumi Soryo "Mars". I don't like it's artwork but the plot is realy good. On the other side most harem, ecchi and hentai manga have very good drawings but still I can't handle any of them _

Artwork is definately what I look for first. I love unique, abstract, creative drawing styles, especially like the FLCL manga. If I hear of a good story in manga, I might take a look at it, though.

me, i choose interesting storyline

I always look first for artwork, sometimes I even start reading a story cause I loved the mangaka's art XD but sometimes a crap artwork has a beautiful and interesting storyline, so it's kinda bad to think always for the design of the manga... it's pretty complicated, I'm actually just reading/buying what my friends recommend me ;D

when I first look at a manga, I have to admit that its artwork is the no1 who make me pay attention for it or not. But you know, most of great manga, in first character the artwork is not good, so I usuakky read its preview for know better about this content . Sometime a manga give me special impression for no reason. thanks for your question