Busted.
Galen gave me the first two issues of a new Warren Ellis comic, Fell, for my birthday. They are really appealing to me— small and cheap, with good writing and interesting artwork, and a complete story in every issue. I am wary of a lot of comics for moving soap-opera slow as an obvious ploy to get me addicted to the next issue, so this Fell concept is right up my alley. Issue #2 was marked “Oct 2005,” so I thought it could be time to go find #3 at the comic book store and maybe pick up the next Transmetropolitan collection.
Now. Despite that little opinion on serial story formats, I make no pretense of being a well-rounded or committed comics fan. My comics-related activity is mostly limited to buying Transmetropolitan collections with Amazon gift certificates, and I was a little conscious of buying a bunch of Warren Ellis titles at once and looking like a superfan. For one thing, I don’t want to pretend like I actually know anything about Warren Ellis, and for another I don’t know enough about comics to know what kind of a statement that makes. I equate the comic store with the indie record store sometimes— if I bought three albums by the same band, I know something would happen at the till. Even if they were three albums by some giant like Radiohead or The Beatles.
Thusly excited and curious, Galen and I embarked on a cheerful, sunny walk to Legends Comics. When we got there, I followed Galen around for a bit to get my bearings. I do this at the record store too, where I know my way around perfectly well. Eventually I got up enough nerve to hunt around under the “Warren Ellis Collections” sign and take my treasure up to the till.
“Is there a new Fell yet? Umm, number 3?”
This was just my way of asking the clerk (it happened to be Gareth, the owner or co-owner or something) where they kept the Fell comics, but as soon as I asked, I remembered that #3 might not actually be out yet. And no, it wouldn’t be out for another week or two. I’d managed to present myself as a super keener all of the sudden, hungry for the next issue before it’s even available.
“So you’ve been reading Fell? (nod) And are you enjoying it? (nod) Have you read other Warren Ellis stuff?”
I got busted holding my Transmetropolitan, as I had foreseen, and much excitement ensued, which was the best reaction I could have hoped for. Recognition of my level of interest. “You’re on number 9 already!” Many recommendations of other Ellis titles, and discussions of their merits with the other clerk. “Which of these did you like best, Lyle?” Mutual teasing, even. (Regarding him acting like a car salesman, and Galen and I being too dressed-up to avoid upsell attempts.)
It’s really fun to give in to someone’s excitement when they tell you, “You have to read this one. It’s breaking all the rules,” and then they hand you something from a rack labelled “Destined to be taught in school!” And it’s a comic book. So we’ll see how I do with Desolation Jones. Next time I’m going to ask for another writer to try. At this rate, I’ll be a real comic book nerd in no time, and I can stop worrying that people will think I only like comics (and video games and computer programming and science fiction and kung fu) to make boys like me better.