Kid at the shop made me rethink my whole pull list the other day

I was standing at my local shop in Portland flipping through the new releases when this teenager maybe 15 asks if I read Department of Truth. Told him nah I've been reading the same Batman and X-Men books for 20 years. He just goes 'that's cool but you're missing the whole conversation happening right now'. He pulled out like 5 different indie comics from the shelf showed me how they all tie together thematically. Made me realize I've been stuck in a loop for over a decade without even noticing. Has anyone else had a younger fan call them out like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_charlie8d ago

Nah I actually see it the other way. That kid's advice sounds pretty dismissive honestly. Acting like reading the same series for 20 years means you're in a "loop" is just gatekeeping with a smile. I've been reading Amazing Spider-Man since the 90s and I guarantee you there's been more important storytelling happening in those issues than whatever five obscure indies a teenager is hyped about this month. The whole "conversation" thing is overblown too. Comics aren't a group project. I don't need to be part of some grand dialogue to enjoy a good book. Reading what you like is the whole point.

jakef668d ago

That whole conversation happening right now' line got me. I mean really got me. Because what is the conversation? Is it just what's popular on social media or is there an actual story trend happening? I'm genuinely asking because I feel like I see people talk about indie comics having more heart these days but nobody ever spells out what that actually means. Like are we talking about more diverse creators, different art styles, or storytelling that doesn't follow the same hero's journey formula? Because if a kid can explain that better than me I need to sit down and take notes.