With the suggestion of Dave the Drummer, I decided to visit an actual comic book shop and bought myself a comic book. I got Volume 1 of a comic book called “The Boys”. I originally heard about this comic on a podcast called “Major Spoilers“. It’s a great podcast where I hope to learn from them and help may own podcasts even better. But until then, I thought I’d talk about my experience being in a comic book shop and how I know I’ll be going back again.
Cinema Sets – Big Bang Theory Comic Book ShopAs far as I know there are no close by Comic Book Shows, or the LCS (Local Comic Shop). The reason why it’s important to talk about this experience is because, well, as much as I’m a nerd and or geek, those places can be intimidating and I think it’s also a niche within a niche. And because there is no true comic book shop in my area, I have to go a ways to find one. I was lucky to find The Realm, in Brea, California.
Most of the people there, (no offense) look like nerds. Whether it’s their logo’d shirts, their weight, or their constant talk of Magic the Gathering or the evolution of Shazaam, I can’t compare to their level of geek-dom. Part of me beings to doubt my own nerdiness. I’m a tadpole in their vast pond and I’m sure I’m not alone.
But as a nerd who wants to dive in head first into the world of the comic book, and not just the digital kind that I already have, I thought I’d have to enter at my own risk at this shop. Not that I haven’t had good experiences, but really…when I listen in to their conversations, I feel like an amateur. I know what they’re talking about, but I couldn’t join in. I want to run!
People were playing Magic, others were playing Warhammer. And if you don’t know what those are, you may be even MORE intimidated by this comic book shop which also specialized in table top gaming. Of course, this wasn’t typical of the LCS, because of the games section. Normally it’s just the racks of comic books, but this time around it was the vast tables of terrain that made my heart speed up. Yes, I realize this is irrational, but wtf, these nerds would geek me to the ground. Whew, that sounded dirty…anyway…
I spent some time perusing the isles of comics and listening in on the way that these gentlemen were avidly debating the power of one card against another and the mechanics of the game. It was all Russian to me, and I was ready to run. But I stood my ground and kept looking through the racks. Yes, I was intimidated by the level of nerd-ness. I could not compare to their level. While I was but a mere level 8 wizard, they were epic level 30 Paladin War Mages. Okay, I made that stuff up, but that’s just how it felt, which is ridiculous for a grown man, but hey hellip;socially awkward hellip;
My eyes eventually locked on to the comic I was not looking for, but was compelled to get. While many of the comics were bagged and boarded, preventing me to skim through them, there sat the trade paperback of The Boys Vol. 1. It called to me, and I could hear Dave egging me on to read it. So I got it.
Head held high, I marched to the register, and the nicest guy ever took my purchase. Holy crap, just his good naturedness alone made me want to make this my home base for comic books. He highly recommended the comic, suggesting he had read it and knew what was quality and had warned me not to share this with my younger brother, which I do not have. I thanked him, and I went on my way. It was a positive experience, and the reason why I normally don’t buy or stay in a comic book shop is because of the comic book aficionados that normally frequent those places, talking of past story lines and terms I didn’t even know existed.
But this time, I was good, I felt confident, and I left the store with graphic novel in hand. As I was leaving, I watched as a man who was easily twice my age, enter and then leave with his own comic books. Wow. I thought that was awesome, and made a promise to myself that should I really enjoy this comic book, I would go back to this specific store again and get another. Maybe if I was really into the scene, which I think I can be, I’d be a regular customer with a regular pull list and be of proper comic book stock.
Now I’ve read Atomic Robo, and that’s’ a great comedic comic book with a lot of references that I only know thanks to Major Spoilers and Dave the Drummer. Soon I hope to give my thoughts, from a new comic book reader’s perspective, on “The Boys” (which I actually did in last week’s Critical Moment of Awesome). Until then, I urge you all to attempt a trip to the Local Comic book Shop and see how you fair. Hopefully your first real experience will be as good as mine. And yes, all it took was a friendly, knowledgable guy behind the counter to make me want to come back for more. I mean, there’s got to be a reason why those table top and card gamers hang out there. Oh right…the games…
