Indy Comics Writer

I remember reading something funny about Playboy magazine during its heyday: Someone said something like, “Playboy is one of the most popular magazines in the country. Yet you never see anyone reading it on the train.”

Well, I still don’t see anyone reading Playboy on the train. I even remember a candid-camera-type show doing a skit where people did read the magazine openly on public transportation. Fellow passengers had reactions ranging from anger to bemusement to inappropriate interest.

I bring this up because I wonder if some of us practice a form of the Playboy habit by refusing to read our beloved comic books in public places. We all know why some might feel uncomfortable holding up the latest issue of Hellboy. You feel a bit like a geek, right? You think people will snicker at you, especially if you’re past a certain age?

Well, so what? Who cares if someone thinks you’re a geek? You probably are. And who cares if people laugh? They probably have a Danielle Steele novel tucked in their bag.

Comics will never get the respect they deserve unless your fellow commuters see you proudly reading a copy of Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse. So take your graphic works out of your briefcases, purses and backpacks and flip through those pages proudly. Remember, there’s nothing wrong with being a comics geek!

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