COMICS CULTURE SHRAPNEL from CBEM 290
Comics are like crack.
Look - they're highly addictive, expensive, and possibly bad for you. You may disagree on that last part - meaningful stories have been produced and we're always trying to convince the world of that. But some titles are guilty pleasures for us and then there is just plain obsession: "I must have them all!"
Anyway. Comics are highly addictive but expensive. What's a comics reader to do when they don't have much money? Contrary to what many collectors may think, one does not need money to be a hard-core fan. There are alternative methods of distribution that can be enjoyed by all, regardless of financial standing.
Let's start with your local library. Maybe you visit it regularly but have never noticed, that they do, in many cases, carry trade paperbacks. Located in the art section, you're likely to find some of the proverbial classics: "Understanding Comics," "Watchmen," "Marvels." I found several copies of "Pedro and Me" on the shelf in my neighborhood branch, which goes to show that the selection isn't always outdated. But otherwise, most of the titles you may have read before. And maybe you haven't, so it's a good time as any to catch up on what you've missed. Or maybe you have friends who haven't read many comics, now they can catch up too. There are those who would say that everyone should have these titles, since they are after all, classics. But most people don't have copies of "To Kill a Mockingbird" or "Macbeth" either.
Academic libraries are also a good bet. If you're fortunate enough to have university access, the selection is bound to be more diverse genre-wise than the one in the public libraries. The NYU library boasts a good collection of "Love and Rockets" in addition to the superhero and comic strip standards. You can also find more scholarly work in college libraries - I borrowed a copy of the very excellent book "Manga Manga" by Frederick Schodt. Scholarly thought is more accessible, hopefully encouraging further academic scrutiny.
While the library is a very open and public resource, their selection is still limited. Their selections are limited to the better-known, the child-safe, the acceptable. For newer material, one must turn to bookstores.
Not the smaller ones - they watch you like a hawk, would not be so forgiving, and they need every cent you can give them. A large bookstore can afford to let you sit and browse. They encourage the behavior: whatever makes the customers happy. The clerks who have to clean up afterwards might not be so thrilled, but at least their livelihood is not at stake, so relax. Head to your local bookstore and check out the end of the Sci-fi section. You might find the latest Batman book, a manga collection you're unfamiliar with, some graphic novel with kick-ass art. Take one, sit in a quiet corner and read it. This isn't exactly the most responsible behavior - but not everyone can afford every new book that comes out, and you might expose yourself to something different.
Of course you may not want to spend so much time in bookstores. It's not the comfort of your home, and then there's all those pesky shoppers...just kidding.
But there are still more alternatives. Ever look online? We all know the web is a wonderful means of distribution. Most of you reading this are probably familiar with some of the sites I'm going to suggest. True enough, they aren't comic books - neither are they some bastard child we can ignore.
The grand poombah of so-called 'cybercomics' is Scott McCloud. There's not much I will say since most of us are familiar with his name, and his thoughts on comics and the web are readily available through his website, columns, and the book "Reinventing Comics." No use for me to preach to the choir. But if you haven't looked, there's some good stuff to read on the site, and the perfect place to start. See web comics done right first.
Big Panda House (www.bigpanda.net) is a sort of clearinghouse for comic strips - maybe they don't fall even close to comic books but they're still comics and I know we all love 'em. This is the best place to look for quality web comic strips, and hopefully you'll find something appealing. Some of my faves are Sluggy Freelance, Japanese Beetle, and Goats. Hours of fun in reading the complete archives, and keeping up with the dailies.
Penny Arcade is chock-full of gamer humor, if you're into that. I mention it because these guys also run The Bench, which is subtitled "Community Cartooning." They provide the basic art, you provide the cartoon. It's like a message board - people use it as an outlet for opinions and others make strips in response. Small warning: there are over 3500 strips, so you might want to clear your calendar.
When I'm short on money I can't just go cold turkey on comics, so I find ways to fill the void. The selection of alternatives is diverse and you might find some new interests. Even if you're financially comfortable and happy as a clam with a large pull list, these are some ways to supplement and expand your reading list at no cost. Don't think of them as replacements, think of it as diversity.