Hot take: gatekeeping comic fans actually ruined my local shop for me

Honestly, I used to think the hardcore fans who correct everyone on canon were just passionate. But last month at Cosmic Comics in Austin, I mentioned I liked the DC Black Label stuff and this guy spent 20 minutes telling me why it doesn't count as real comics. I just wanted to grab a new trade paperback and chat for a second. It got so awkward I left without buying anything and went to a Barnes and Noble instead. I get that people care about continuity, but acting like that just pushes new readers away. Has anyone else had a bad experience with fans at their local shop that made you rethink going back?

2 comments

2 Comments

alex_taylor108d ago

Read that Polygon article from last year about gatekeeping in comic shops. Over 60% of new readers said they had a bad experience their first time. Numbers like that are hard to ignore. I was at Third Eye Comics in Annapolis last month. A kid maybe 12 years old asked about Spider-Man and got lectured on why the clone saga is the only "real" Peter Parker story. Kid's face just fell. Manager had to step in. I don't go to shops much anymore either. Mostly just order online now. Less hassle.

ellis.rose7d ago

I remember that Polygon article, it was actually from 2022 not last year, but the point still stands. I think the 60% number was even higher for women, something like 70% had a bad first visit. That clone saga thing is wild too, most people agree the original Lee/Ditko stuff is the real starting point, not the clone saga. My local shop in Philly isn't that bad, but I've definitely had a few awkward moments where the guy behind the counter questioned my picks. Do you think online ordering has actually hurt shops enough to make them change their ways at all?