further dispatches from the Big Planet

[thehefner]

This blogger's interpretation of Two-Face has shaken this Harvey Dent fanboy to the core. He makes a great point, and it flies in the face of possibly everything I hold to be the essence of the character. Obviously, I don't agree, but I'm having a hard time explaining just why in the face of those very compelling points. Expect an epic post in response, depending on what happens when I parse it out with Henchgirl tonight. Man, I really need to start up that about_faces LJ.

And to make it worse, the blog seems to be affiliated with my store's old nemesis, Big Monkey Comics. My boss had a fit when they opened their store in Georgetown, a mere three blocks from our shop, the well-established Big Planet Comics, knowing it would confuse the hell out of people. Big Monkey's boss was like, "Yeah, as if people can't tell the difference between a planet and a monkey." Which, as it turns out, they couldn't, if years of people say of "I can't remember the name, it was 'Big Something Comics,' like, 'Big Blah-Blah Comics...'" is any indication.

I still have loyalty to my shop, which is helped by the fact that the Big Planet way of selling comics is superior to any store I've seen. Simply put, it's about the enjoyment of comics, not the collecting of them. Did I rant here about how much I hate hate hate shops that bag and board their new and recent issues, so customers can't browse in the store? Because I do. Lordy, how I do.

Comments

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

Did I rant here about how much I hate hate hate shops that bag and board their new and recent issues, so customers can't browse in the store? Because I do. Lordy, how I do.

Bzuh? I've never been to a comic shop that bagged 'n' boarded anything but the back issues -- and even then, I suspect it's mostly to keep them from getting bent in the boxes, since the shop owners don't have a problem with me taking them out of the bags to flip through.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Many stores are very against customers reading comics in the store, handling the merchandise. "This ain't a library, fanboy!" goes the classic line. Many, if not most, will open up the issue if you ask them so you can check it out, but that's hardly the same thing. It scares off the more shy comic fans... which is most comic fans, I'd guess.

I like this method: bag and board all but one issue, and have that be the reader copy. The "tester" issue, if you will. Everyone's happy.

What really set me off is that I went to a store a couple months back that bagged their graphic novels. What fresh fuckery is that?!

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

Hmm. The tester issue thing is not a bad idea, especially if the shop is in a spot with a lot of foot traffic from schools and such.

Are you sure they bagged the graphic novels? I know I've ordered imports that arrived to me plastic-wrapped. (Although if it was them... that's a lot of fuckery, indeed.)

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Pretty damn positive. Every single graphic novel, trade paperback, hardcover in the store, bagged in the same exact way in actual bags, not shrink-wrapped or anything.

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

Where is this place, please, that I may avoid it?

eta: I suppose you don't have to answer that, if you don't want to. I don't live at all near you, after all.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I doubt you'll ever have reason to visit Tuscaloosa, Alabama. But on the off chance that you do, don't go to that shop. Also, be careful where you park on weekends that the town's college football team, the Crimson Tide, is playing. You might get your ass towed, like I did.

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, their team is the Crimson Tide? Is it a women's team, or are they trying to evoke the aggression of PMS? XD

Sucks about your car, though. No, I doubt I'll ever be there, but I shall try to keep it in mind.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I'd have made that very joke if I didn't worry about getting my ass beaten. I'm not even in Tuscaloosa anymore, but I'm still watching my ass. They're *that* fanatical.

That was the second time this year my car had been towed too. The first time was in Winnipeg for reasons totally not my fault. I was able to plead my case and got my fee rescinded, but the emotional anguish I incurred was another point I'm holding against your country as a whole.

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

Eeee! I'll keep that in mind, as well.

You're lucky if emotional anguish was the worst thing to happen to you in Winnipeg. That city gets more dangerous every year.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

No kidding. I had been told enough that I had no reason to initally think my car wasn't stolen.

And yet I'm planning to go back, maybe even as soon as 2011. The Fringe there is one of the most wonderful I've ever been to, just rich with positive vibes. Even when I wanted to feel down in the dumps and artist-angsty, Winnipeg just wouldn't let me get there. It was amazing.

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

Stolen and possibly driven into a cop car. Yeah.

Well, if it's that emotionally and artistically amazing, it sounds like it's worth the risk.

[jellied.livejournal.com]

With what bags? Goldens?

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

For the larger graphic novels, I'd reckon. I'd think Silver would work for a lot though, wouldn't they?

[jellied.livejournal.com]

I just think it's a stupid idea, but then again I've been thinking about shrink-wrapping my hand lately at work.

[surrealname.livejournal.com]

Of the two comicbook stores near me in the burbs, Comics and More and Showcase Comics, I always preferred showcase, partly due to the fact that I was known there as "Mr. Giffen-Demattais" because I purchased the entire JLI run at that store, and because they did not leave their collected additions shrink wrapped like Comics and More did, thus allowing me to browse the Trades to my hearts content.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Have you picked up JLE? I want to know if I should. The writers should make it worth it, but Bart Sears' artwork is seriously hideous.

[surrealname.livejournal.com]

Don't you already own it? I very vividly remember you loaning me issues of JLE at wac.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Only a handful! Mainly the parts of "Breakdowns."

[surrealname.livejournal.com]

I think it is worth owning. The characterization is still very good, it's less funny than JLI, and a bit more serious superheroey, but well, this guy put it very well:
http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/01/05/comics-you-should-own-justice-league-europe-1-28/