I was going to write about the non-event that was Captain America #600 (a few short stories where nothing happens, followed by a LOT of reprint material), but I’ve been thinking lately about comic stores in general.\u00a0 You know how on Cheers, how everybody shouted “NORM!” when George Wendt made his appearance?\u00a0 How it was a place where “everybody knows your name”?\u00a0 That’s how I feel every Thursday after the day job ends, and I head over to Double Midnight.\u00a0 There may be new books, there may not be; but no matter what, the gang will be there.\u00a0 The people I only see once a week, that I’m happy to see and ready to debate them on the latest comics, movies, TV shows… with an intensity usually reserved for hurricanes or sessions of Parliament.\u00a0 And we know, we all know that it’s all in fun and that none of this really matters.\u00a0 But it does, you know?\u00a0 I’ve achieved many of my lifetime goals but few gave me as much satisfaction as breaking Brett Parker down until he conceded that yes, Superman Returns is a terrible, terrible movie and it should be banned like asbestos.\u00a0 Ahhh….<\/p>\n
And I do want to give a shout out to my favorite stores:\u00a0 Double Midnight, of course, here in good ol’ Manchester NH.\u00a0 Family-friendly with a large gaming area; good place to drop off your kids on a Saturday afternoon.\u00a0 There’s the appropriately-titled “Comic Store” in downtown Nashua NH — the largest selection of independent titles in the state, and a huge inventory of movies to boot.\u00a0 Worcester MA has That’s Entertainment, a vast store with an extremely knowledgeable staff; I’m convinced that the roof is held up through sheer willpower!\u00a0 Salem MA has Harrison’s Comics & Collectibles, which all comic stores should model themselves after as far as store layout.\u00a0 And when in Pittsburgh PA, stop by Phantom of the Attic, where Jimmy sold me a copy of Kirby’s FOREVER PEOPLE #1 in great shape for a mere $10.00!\u00a0 Also in the ‘burgh, at the end of the Strip (ask\u00a0a local — they’ll know) is the mammoth monstrosity known as Eides.\u00a0 Three floors — music, esoterica, and in the basement (of course!) comics.\u00a0 Pure heaven.<\/p>\n
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