COMICS CULTURE SHRAPNEL from CBEM 349

Phoenix

I'm a bloody failure as a comics writer, artist, reporter. Maybe even as a fan. I forget how long ago, but I remember telling all of you I would work on my comic this summer, and I didn't. Despite having so much free time. I did go to several conventions over that period, as recounted here. It was fun. I think, it was time well-spent. It was experience and memories and something to talk about.

I also said, something like two months ago, that I would work on my article for Tsunami, my friends' anime/manga magazine. Well, the year is almost over and I haven't written a single word, or even done much research. Though now that time is running out, I'm realizing that it's not as hard as I thought. I'm realizing that for the first time in my life, something learned in school will be put to good use. It will probably be the last time as well, seeing as how I may never be on Jeopardy.

For those who are curious, the article was supposed to be about getting doujinshi (fan-published manga) printed. And I've realized that many people could benefit from the endless classes I've sat through on the subject.

This month I chose family and friends over comic shop loyalty. I betrayed my favorite store by actually shopping elsewhere. I need a Lenore lunch box, and found it at St. Mark's Comics, an establishment I abhor more than vomit and dead bugs. But they got my hard-earned money, yes they did. I wanted a Monty Python Holy Grail doll and found it at my store, Jim Hanley's. Then I had to walk away because they asked a bit much, finding it cheaper 10 blocks north at Midtown Comics.

Sometimes we need to do that, just walk away. I once spoke of fighting the temptation to keep reading crap. This is the same deal. But here, you form a bond with the people, and feel guilty for going elsewhere. Good customer service is an awesome thing, but product and price are important parts of business too. When you talk about the good comic shop experience, those should be in the equation as well. I love Jim Hanley's, but some things just happened to be more important at the time.

And somehow, I feel guilty for not being as enthusiastic as I was five years ago, five months ago, even five weeks ago. I could have picked up new comics today (it is now Thursday as I write this) but chose not to. I can get them tomorrow. This coming from a girl who used to count the days until Wednesday, and the periods until lunch, when I would run to the comic shop. Now it's just something I do amongst so many other things. The highlight of my week was buying the Evolution DVD. Oh yeah, and that Christmas thing too. I got the complete set of Paul Dini/Alex Ross oversized graphic novels. Yay me. I've been wanting them for years.

Is that last thing my fault? Should I be excited. Damn straight I should. I read New X-Men, Alias, Barry Ween, Dork Tower, Eagle, Transmetropolitan... why the hell aren't I happy?

Maybe because I could be doing more. Maybe because there's more coming. Or maybe I'm growing out of the hobby - nah. Maybe it's just me and for the new year, I vow to be more excited. Because they, the comics writers and artists and editors and clerks and all my fellow fans.. deserve better from me. It's not just a hobby, it's a vibrant community that I am glad to be a part of. Happy New Year.