michael-lell

Thank you! Here are some of the indy books I am pushing on everyone these days.

Let me add Locke and Key, Witch Doctor, Nowhere Men, and East of West to that list!

You are SO welcome for anything I’ve helped with, and I do in fact have some words of encouragement!

Ignore the internet. Ignore The Big Bang Theory, and ignore every other show that’s supposed to represent ‘Nerd Culture’*

Ignore every horror store you have heard about new nerds being chased out of comic stores with flaming torches and copies of the comic book price guide.

Yes, some of those stories are true, but here is the thing. If you walk into a clothing store for the first time - there is a chance you will have a bad experience. Same with a Sporting goods store. A Gaming store. Any kind of store. The only difference with Comic Book stores is that, because of the popular influence of shows like The Big Bang Theory, these stores have garnered a mostly false reputation for being a hostile environment for fledgling nerds, newbs, and most of all, women.

Yes, sometimes these horror stories are true. But they’re also a relic of the past. The attitude of the comic book community is changing - just look at the outrage caused by the hiring of Orson Scott Card, whose Homophobia would have been happily overlooked just a few years ago. These horrible, judgmental stories keeping fans out of comic book stories are a thing of the past, and they’re getting increasingly rarer.

More than that, these are businesses that want to make money! You know what makes me HAPPIEST at work? When someone comes in and says to me ‘I have NEVER been into a comic book store before, I saw the movies and liked them, and I want to know more!’

That makes me happy because there are more people to support the books I love, more people to talk comics with, and more people entering the community that I have devoted my life to. But more than that? IT MEANS I CAN SELL A LOT OF BOOKS AND MAKE MY BOSS REALLY HAPPY. So be honest! Walk into that store and say HEY. I AM NEW AND I WANT TO THROW MONEY AT YOU. SUGGEST SOME BOOKS FOR ME!

Anyone that would ridicule you for that is a fucking idiot, not worth your time, and doesn’t know how to run a business.

So good luck, anon, and sorry for my novel of a reply. This is obviously something very close to my heart, and I can’t wait to hear how it goes :)

*Except Community. Last week’s episode was what The Big Bang Theory should be.

vasheden

Aw thank you so much! I have a great group of friends, and they all contribute a HUGE amount in their own ways. Hopefully within the next few months we will be putting together a podcast so we can help people out with comics in almost-person!

iworkhardiplayhard

For every one story I get about a bad experience, I get a dozen stories about great ones. For every dozen stories I get about great stories, I get two dozen stories about people going into stores for the first time, and having a blast :)

I do think things are getting better in the comics community!

doctorbadger

That’s awesome to hear! Jelly’s is a great name for a comic store :)

Guys, I love all of these asks telling me about great comic stores, but there are only so many I can post before I start to get paranoid about spamming my dash! Please take your recommendations to Hater Free Wednesdays, who are compiling a FANTASTIC list of Friendly and Helpful Comic Book Stores. They’re doing a great job!

Anonymous

I’m sorry honey, I don’t actually read that book, but I can tell you that Betty’s new series with Marvel Now is just a few issues in, so RIGHT NOW is a good time to jump in! You can probably still get the issues from your LCS :)

ohihavenoidea

Dude that is fantastic to hear! I know how anxiety-inducing it can be to go out of your comfort zone, especially when it’s something that comes with an unfortunate stigma like comic stores do, whether earned or not. 

You did so well, you did MUCH more than most people do when they go into an LCS for the first time, and I’m very proud :) Enjoy your first steps into the best fandom out there!

Anonymous

Single comic book issues gathered up into one big book :)

Anonymous

This is really, really terrible, and something I HATE to see! Signal boosted!

Anonymous

This is a fabulous story, and an excellent way to share a good book. Thank you for sharing!

garina

I don’t have anything to add to this, I just feel the same way about Carol :)

Anonymous

ABSOLUTELY. Start with the Winter Soldier Origin (My favorite complete Marvel story arc of all time), read Red Menace after that. From there you can either carry on with the trades right up through Steve Rogers coming back from the dead, or you can just wiki it to catch up on the store (It’s a LOT OF BOOKS). The first two collections I’ve linked will also give you a really good introduction to some of the new characters showing up in the next Cap movie (Namely Sam Wilson, FALCON OF MY HEART).

From there, you can read the newest Winter Soldier series, which you can pick up in a couple of trades! Honestly, I recommend getting that in single issues. It’s only, uh…15 or 16 so far, I think, and the trades aren’t really worth it, size-wise. Your local comic store should be able to help you out there!

Anonymous

I think it is literally the most awkward and shoe-horned way to introduce different-universe characters I have ever seen in my LIFE.

But, I fucking love them and I am glad they are safe and sound in 616.

Shame about Marcus finding out he had Fury DNA and his eye spontaneously exploding, though. It’s the Fury Curse.

Anonymous

I get a few now and then, and I really appreciate every one :) Thank you so much!