The Wednesday afternoon rain fell gently against the neon sign of the comic book store. I walked in, said hi to the young guy behind the counter. I say 'young', even though he must be pushing thirty. It was four in the afternoon, and it was Comic Book Wednesday. The books weren't free, but they were new, which is almost as good.
I walked back to glance at the New Releases. Ahead of me was another man, quietly going through the racks, studiously examining the covers, occasionally picking one up to flip through it. Another man--bald, with well polished glasses, had walked around to the other side, where the alternative press books could be found. I stood beside him, seeing what was new in the world of Not Marvel and Not DC.
I think a few minutes must have passed when it hit me.
It was so quiet.
I glanced at the two other browsers. Both were roughly in their early thirties, and even though no one said anything, I could tell this was something both of them had looked forward to--just like me. It was in the slow way they moved their eyes from book to book, just taking their time, relishing the surprise of seeing what was new this week. And I just let myself take a memory photo of the moment: a quiet comic book store, rain falling against the window, the shuuush of cars heard driving past on the wet pavement through the store's open door, the gleam of pristine books, fresh from the shipping boxes, and the lifelong anticipation of enjoying impossible adventures on a printed page.
I picked up a couple books, along with the other oldsters. At the till, I made a comment about the Iron Man film--of how you have to stay until the end to see the Samuel L. Jackson cameo as Nick Fury. Then the bald man with the glasses came up and joined in the conversation, of how this would also be used in the Hulk film, and in the upcoming Captain American and Thor films, leading up to an Avengers film.
We all laughed and geeked out at that. Then we chatted a bit about a Justice League film, and I offered that with our luck, it would be the Detroit Justice League they'd go with, Hollywood sticking us with Vibe and Gypsy. A few minutes later, I said goodbye, and headed back out into the rain, my books held tight against my chest, feeling thirty years younger, if only for a few moments.
4 comments:
You just described most of my Wednesdays for the past several decades, Kid! (Although, truth be told, if you go back far enough, you'll discover periods where Friday was New Comic Day... and even a time when I believe Thursday was!)
Nice post, especially for those of us who can totally relate.
Thanks, Kimota.
I also remember when Thursday was New Comic Day, heading down to the Collector when the Smets were running it.
Sigh.
Good times.
Great post KD. I am going to have to call-in sick one Wednesday and take part in the zeitgeist.
And I forgot to add; that was a fine piece of writing. I go back and read it every couple of days as a reminder of how the pros do it.
Post a Comment