Not of you don't want to...

So I guess I need to read Spider-Island too, if HfH goes through Spider-Island.

It can probably stand alone on the strength of its exposition but you'd be best served reading the HfH that preceded it. (though the Spider Island tie-ins are pretty weak, iirc)

I just got the Villains for Hire books. Should I read up on any of the Heroes for Hire or anything before I read these, or is the mini more or less stand alone.

It was a good concept with good characterization. I would have followed it as least as long as DnA were writing it.

I think he means he wishes the series didn't have such a limited run.

Saying that you wish the series had lasted longer, how were you hoping it would have evolved? It sounds like you had some expectations for directions that the story line could have gone.

Spider-Island wasn't bad. The HfH tie-in was meh.
But the series was pretty good. I wish it had lasted longer.

I reread some of the Spider Island stuff and liked it. I take it from your comment you aren't a big fan of the tie-in, or is it the arc as a whole?

yes. for better or for worse.