I’ve got a pretty good relationship with the guys at my comic shop. Actually let me rephrase that; at every comic shop I’ve been a regular at, I’ve always had good relationships with the guys behind the counter.
It’s always good to be recognized as a regular and being the professionals that those business owners were, they recognized that. Sometimes when I’m in a rush I just need to grab my books and be out, and I’ve never had a problem with that.
So when the news about the DC Comics Relaunch started to trickle out, I knew that I wanted to talk to the guys behind the counter at my comic shop and get their take. I wanted to hear their thoughts on the new #1’s and the day of digital releases. So I made sure that I had plenty of time to talk things over and gauge their takes.
And we actually ended up having a really good conversation about lots of things. We talked about how they felt about the day of digital. They were a bit apprehensive about it because they, being people who make their money selling comics, felt that it could affect their business. But they also weren’t raging against it either. They wanted to take their time and see how things played out before they made their mind up.
I told them that they wouldn’t have to worry about me going digital. I’d been reading actual comics for years and I enjoyed the tactile sensation. Plus I’m a collector and comics is my one obsessive outlet.
But we also talked as fans. When I expressed my apprehension about the lack of Wally West, they echoed my sentiments. They understood my fears as a comic fan because they’re comic fans too. They love comics as much as I do. They aren’t just businessmen or business owners. Comics aren’t just a job; they’re a passion.
We talked about if they thought the #1’s would drive new people (they hoped it would.) We speculated about what sort of marketing push DC would do (again this was weeks before we knew that DC was going to do a huge marketing push including movies and television.)
And then we talked about what Flashpoint books were interested in. We shared out excitement about the 100 Bullets team reuniting on a Flashpoint mini. From there we jumped into the Vertigo books that we loved. The Losers, 100 Bullets were both mentioned.
And that’s when it hit me; this was the reason why I’d probably never go digital. It was the contact of the comic shop. Having actual conversations with other fans about the things that we hold so dear. Getting recommendations about what I should be reading and giving recommendations about my favorites.
I mean I’ve got a ton of love for our very own forums, but the actual conversations about comics at comic shops are experience that cannot be replicated. Talking to someone who’s essentially a stranger but you have one big thing in common with is sort of electric. That give and take it something real and it’s something you can’t get if you go digital.
I even told them as I left the shop that day that they should find a way to market the conversation that we just shared. That’s the allure of comic shops and that’s what they should be selling.
I mean, in addition to comics.
