"I Converted" Series (Part 1): Comic Books

As I was pondering on new content to put out, I had a few ideas. I knew I wanted to eventually start a series and realized in this season of life, I have been enjoying some stuff that I never really cared for or liked in the past. It was very interesting to examine my discovery of such and my approach to enjoying them. This will be the first part of a series titled “I Converted”, of which I examine books, art, etc. and explain why I once was opposed and how I ended up on the other side. I will also explain the joy I get from them and the benefits. First up, comic books.

Today was the second day I have ever stepped foot into a comic bookstore. The first time I was a bit skeptical and intrigued. I always viewed people who bought and read comic books as the stereotypical nerd who had too much time on their hands. I also viewed men who read comic books, to not really be so manly. I defined their manhood by the book they were reading. How sinful of me to assume such and to think in such a way.

How did I convert? Well, I am not going to lie and act like watching The Big Bang Theory didn’t peak my interest. I have watched this show plenty of times before and have watched the scenes in the comic bookstore. It wasn’t until recently that I decided to check one out for the first time. I was a bit skeptical due to the fact I could care less about superhero movies (open to conversion), but found myself intrigued after stepping in to find a whole new world that wasn’t just limited to superhero comics. My interest immediately was peaked to find Star Wars comics. I kept looking around the store and came across a Teen Titans comic and said something along the lines of “Huh, who would have known”. I then came across Scooby-Doo comics (Yes, Scooby-Doo), but these Scooby-Doo characters weren’t just the normal characters, they were souped-up characters with colorful cover art that, without a doubt, caught my attention (Yes, Scooby-Doo) I continued looking and came across Black Panther comics and appreciated the racial diversity within the superhero realm. More and more I was impressed. I ended up just buying one Star Wars comic and leaving. I still left skeptical. Due to the little knowledge I had about comic books, the actual content never seemed impressive. I went home and started reading it the next day and found myself enjoying the artwork and the art overall of what a comic book is.

I ended up going the next week (today) and buying several comics including: Star Wars, Scooby-Doo, Black Panther, and Aqua Man. Since I am not all that interested in the typical superheroes like Spider Man, Iron Man, The Hulk, Batman, etc., it is of no surprise that I found my own niche and interest in the comic book universe. You can understand what I mean by the comics I purchased. Within the Star Wars comics, I bought a comic from a Han Solo series and a Darth Maul Series. It was different and not the usual Star Wars movie storyline. Scooby-Doo speaks for itself. I also bought underrated comics like Aqua Man and Black Panther because well, they are just that; underrated.

The question still remains: why are comics worth purchasing? First, they are inexpensive. Usually. The average comic costs $2-$6. Yes, you can buy much more expensive comics for collecting and bragging rights, but that’s where it gets a little weird.

Not only this, but, colors captivate me. I love colors in general and the plus side of a comic book is that they are known for their colorful art. I usually (for now) choose a comic book like I choose a book. I look at the cover art and if the color pops out and the artwork satisfies, I am more likely to buy and read. This is how I work with comic books. I usually have a general idea I want and look for cover pages that satisfy and peak my interest. If the colors don’t pop and the artwork doesn’t seem engaging, then I move on. (This isn’t always the case, if I am trying to read a series in order, it doesn’t matter what the cover art looks like.)

As someone who appreciates art and creative craft, my conversion to enjoying comic books fell on this exact point. This was the hook that snagged me. Whether I enjoy the content and story line or not, I can always appreciate the artwork.

After having read a comic in its entirety, I will admit I wasn’t all the way satisfied. The downfall of a comic is that it is short and broken up into a series. This, however, could be looked at as pro, keeping readers engaged and eager to buy the next issue. Though it may take me some time to get used to the style of writing and how the content of comics work, there is one thing I can appreciate about the writing. As a writer myself, one way to grow and stretch myself is by increasing the genre diversity of what I read and analyze. I won’t get anywhere as a writer if I only read textbooks, or if I only read comics. Just like any musical artist that pushes themselves, listening to other genres and other generations produce creativity and authenticity in their creative craft. There is something to be said about branching out and using your brain, as a writer to analyze how comedians write stand up, how comic writers begin their process, how fictional authors construct their story. I am learning to appreciate the writing style and technique that is found in comic books.

I have learned to appreciate comics and am still very new to the game, however, all in all, I am a convert. I will now be adding to my list of ways to rest in the midst of a busy week. Front porch, fall weather, sweet tea, and a comic.