I mentioned in my last post that I started reading comic
books again. This has been an interesting journey. It started several years ago
when we took my third son to Islands of Adventure in Florida for his
10-year-old trip. We loved Marvel Super Hero Island and just couldn’t pass up a
visit to the comic book store there. We met a friendly member of the staff who
made a few suggestions. I ended up buying a couple of Spider-Man trade
paperbacks*. I read and enjoyed them but that was it.
Occasionally, in the subsequent years, I thought I’d like to
read more. But I always felt weird, maybe even a little intimidated, about
going to places where I could purchase more. So this past summer, when my
daughter chose to go to Islands of Adventure for her 10-year-old trip, I was excited about the possibility of getting some more comics.
Unfortunately, when we visited the exact same comic store, browsed for a while,
even tried making conspicuous glances at the staff, I eventually left,
disappointed. I just couldn’t bring myself to ask for help and the staff didn’t
feel like offering, so the impasse left me empty handed. I’ll never be selected
as ambassador to alien nations—I hate making first contact.
Since that disappointment I did a little searching on the Internet.
Turns out there are lots to choose from—thanks for that one Internet. If you’re
new to comic books, or been away for a while, it may feel like it requires a
PhD in comic book history in order to know where to start—it did for me.
Undaunted, okay mostly daunted but determined to get past it, I
worked up the courage to walk into a local comic/game store. Funny thing is the
stereotypes matched pretty well. I played it cool looking for the comics
section. Hey, I’m in my mid-forties and I
want some comics. What you lookin’ at kid? Is what I might have said if
confronted at that point. Luckily for everyone that didn’t happen. I was about
to make a hasty retreat when I spotted them—CLEAR AT THE BACK OF THE STORE. Nothing
worthwhile is easy. I think the locals smelled my fear as I walked back.
While trying to take in the hundreds of options visible on
the wall—that was just the new stuff by the way—I met the most helpful shop
clerk I think I’ve ever met; shout out to the DK crew. He started with the low
pressure “Do you need any help?” angle.
I gave him my usual, “I’m just looking around. Thanks.”
But he didn’t walk away like 99% of the shop clerks I’ve
encountered. He asked about my interests, slyly gaging my knowledge level
without exposing me as a neophyte. By the time we were done I grabbed a few comics
from the DC reboot (The New 52), plus
found a good X-Men starting point and picked up The Walking Dead “Volume 1: Days Gone Bye.” Aren’t I so much cooler
now—I’m an insider. At least I know a few key words so I’ll be able to bluff my
way through a conversation next time.
A couple of months have gone by since then, now I have new problems.
Picking up the next installment of each of The
New 52 I’m reading has been a lot like hunting for beanie babies with my
wife fifteen years ago; we had to search out stores receiving new shipments and
get there early in the morning, 6:00 am or earlier, and fight off hordes of
beanie baby cut throats. The hunt for new comics isn’t quite as dramatic. But if
I don’t make it to the comic store early each Wednesday when new comics are
released there’s a good chance I won’t be able to procure the new ones. And if
I miss the new releases it’s tough to predict when I’ll be able to pick them
up. My wife found a couple of shops in SLC, she’s good at stuff like this,
where it’s been easier to pick up new releases. These shops seem to have a
deeper inventory. The down side is that I have to drive forty minutes to get
there. But it’s been a nice back up plan. Now I don’t fret too much if I miss a
new issue here or there. And when I have enough of those missing issues stacked
up I look for a reason to make a longer trip to SLC.
I also had the problem of how to store my comics in a way
that was easily accessible. My collection was growing, almost as fast as
tribbles, which means if I didn’t do something I would have been overrun, or
worse my precious new possessions would be lost in a sea of new comics. And nobody
wants that. IKEA to the rescue. I found a cheap new book shelf and a few magazine
holders. Now I not only have my current comics organized, I have room to grow.
Once I started reading a few comics I remembered other
characters or stories I’d seen on TV or read about. So my interests are
expanding. Which is one of the funnest** parts about reading comics, there’s
always something new. I jumped onto Avenging Spiderman from the beginning. So
far it’s ok, but I love it that Marvel includes a free digital copy with
the purchase of the comic book—I’d read it for that reason alone. Reading digital
comics on my iPad is great, they look incredible. I wish every publisher gave
away a digital copy with the hard copy. Why not?
In summary what’s good about comics?
They are playful and light. When I start taking myself too
seriously, or just get bogged down while writing, comics are a good way to take
a break and still keep reading and thinking about storytelling. The stories are fun and the images*** definitely
add to the enjoyment.
Comics are serial stories so they never really end. They
make me look forward to Wednesdays—new comics day. I end up reading comics when
I would have otherwise watched TV.
My thirteen-year-old son likes to read them too. Anything I
can find to share with my son so we have something in common, something to talk
about, is a good thing.
They make me wish I could draw. I wonder if there is a
storytelling medium somewhere in between comic books and the regular
picture-less novel? This is something I plan to give more thought to.
I’m enjoying most of what I’m reading. Some more than
others, but overall it’s been enjoyable and inspirational.
Regarding my fears and admitted shyness above: In case
you’re wondering, “No.” I don’t ever ask strangers for directions either. And
yes I do eventually end up where I want to go. I’m nothing if not persistent. A
quality I hope will serve me well on my writing journey.
*Trade paperbacks are a collection of stories originally
published in comic books, reprinted in book format, for those of you like me,
who are unfamiliar with the term trade paperback. Usually buying trade
paperbacks is cheaper than buying the series one at a time. The tradeoff is you
have to wait a while after the last comic book in the series to be included is
out before they print the trade paperbacks.
**According to MS Word I may have made up the word funnest,
but it just seemed to fit, so I left it in.
***One thing to watch out for, especially when sharing
comics with kids, is the comic book artist’s representation of the female body.
A lot of times it’s exaggerated to emphasize the female form. It’s always best
to read the comics first before sharing them with kids. That also gives you the
added bonus of being able to discuss it with them too.
