Eh, I could pirate them too, but then I have an equal incentive to download the onemanga type sites considering my internet connection problems and I still don't. (...Okay, I would laugh if they did the old "disable javascript and cover the image with a blank pixel transparent gif trick in an attempt to protect it.) I mean, people would still pirate them if they wanted to, but it wouldn't be much worse than it is now.

I do think that a subscription model would give them a steadier cash flow, which can be as important as actual income if they're skating on the edge.