So even if being ignored is the treatment I would receive at Stories (though I doubt I’d be ignored if I really did need help or have a question)… it sounds better than a lot of other comic book shops I’ve been to!

Hi, Caitlin.

I wrote this nearly three years ago, and while I don’t regret what I said, it’s not something I’d say now. Or at least, I’d say it differently.

Admittedly, my memories of Stories probably predates when you were working there since I haven’t lived in the area for a little more than 9 years. I may feel differently about the store now, quite honestly. Also, since this was written, I’ve also become friends with Jared Smith, who owns the Vienna Big Planet Comics I mentioned and we’ve talked about these issues (and I’ve discussed these issues with other members of the Big Planet Comics family). In fact, I was just hanging out at the Vienna Big Planet this weekend.

I don’t that there doesn’t need to be a one-size-fits-all approach to comic book stores — a comic book store that’s awesome to one person may not necessarily be awesome to someone else. A place I feel comfortable may be a place someone else feels uncomfortable. I think there’s room in the world for all kinds of comic book stores.

Honestly, I have to say I’m a little hurt that you classify Stories as “not awesome.” Our customer base is very diverse and quite loyal. Sure, there are some other places that are more brightly lit, but most people that come in to my store find it cozy. A lot of folks that come in for the first time are very delighted with how unique and vast this location is. I’ve seen a lot of other comic stores, some really great ones, but can we just agree that Stories is still awesome, in a different way?

Still, I loved that they worked in the reference to new-comics-wednesdays.

I’ve definitely made it a point to visit great comic book stores in my travels (my travels being what they are, of course) and pointing them out. While there are many different types of comic book stores out there, I think the comfortable, welcoming ones remain the exception and not the rule, though. I think it’s slowly changing, but every time I think that, I tend to get proven wrong.

That being said… I am a big, huge guy with a beard, and I have felt invisible and unwelcome in plenty of comic stores. Sometimes it’s introverts at the register, and sometimes it’s the Comic Guy from the Simpsons.

I loved Forbidden Planet, but I saw no female employees there in the two trips I made (doesn’t mean there aren’t any.) I did see a good number of women in the store both times, though. Of the employees in the store, half were really trying, and half were rock-stars who were a bit too cool for customers in my opinion. I still love the place and will go back, and I wasn’t ignored at all, just slightly alienated, maybe.

I think that if there is outrage, it may be from the sort of … comic fan ‘ivory tower’ (which I would say I am in… or at least the suburban equivalent) I’m not taking a real position on the Heores thing, just agreeing with you.