TypeKit tracks how big the font files are. Each font might only be ~20-30K - but that's one weight/style. If you use multiple weights and styles, that's 20-30K per each. It's easy to rack up 3-4 weights, and of course I want italics on some of those == 4 weights times 2 italics times 3 fonts = 20-30k times 24 and now we're talking half a meg or so...

If I'm demoing 18 fonts on a page, even at a single weight and style - that's approaching half a meg right there.

I think using an image is the right call.

But if you want to see TypeKit in action (I get no benefit from pushing them - I'm just a satisfied user), here's a couple of sites I'm using it on:

http://picklepatchpcb.com/

http://daychilde.com/

http://music.isaac.im/

http://oilspillupdate.us/

http://panamacitypc.com/

http://rockincompany.com/