The second big call to arms about this decision is "It will KILL the comic store"! GOOD. Let it die. The fucking comic store has probably been the worst thing that ever happened to comics. It ghettoized comic books into the realm of extreme adult geeks rather than kids everywhere; though no one knew it at the time, the moment things truly started to slide into oblivion for the comics industry was when the two big comic companies stopped directing their comics to newstands and convenience stores and started making their comics for the "specialty store".
I remember the second such store, which dealt in comics and rpg's. There were three owners. One I didn't really know at all. Another, was an acquaintance and a guy I would be happy to sit at the table with, or just invite to go out and have a beer.
The third, was the guy they put in charge of running the store. He was an asshole.
It's the oddest thing. When people start downing gamers in general, I'm quick to refute the usual bullshit. In my experience, there's no greater number of creeps involved in gaming than might be found in any other subculture. That creepiness, often manifests in various ways. But, the stereotypical high-school, asshole of a jock, has just as much of a self-respect deficiency as the surly, rude, elitist gamer he's giving a swirly.
But good googly-moo! I see the stereotype of the "Comic-Book Guy," more often than not, when dealing with the proprietor's of those establishments. That's weird. And mildly fascinating. I think I know why that happens. If someone had serious problems getting along with others and managed to find an activity, which let them make some sort of connection, then they might choose to arrange their life, so as to maximize that potential and feeling of belonging. One that might let them feel they were in a "superior" position. Running a gaming store, would be an almost perfect choice.
Surely, it's not as bad as all that and the "comic book guy" isn't as commonly found, running gaming establishments, as people think! Surely.
Seriously, someone refute that. I don't like it.
I think the Pundit has some kind of point there, though I wouldn't be too quick to buy his idea, whole hog. And I do wonder, if the FLGS has been detrimental to the growth of RPG's. Did it contribute to an isolation of our hobby and community?
I also learned two things today. First, that Nord Games, formerly in the Hoover Galleria closed down.
Second, and on a more positive note, that Bud's Games, an FLGS I didn't know existed, is only about an hour away. I decided to call and make sure they were still in business.
I spoke to a pleasantly graveled-voiced older gentleman, Bud, who called me "young-feller" and was as friendly and helpful as he could be.
"We keep kind of odd hours, around here. We might close at midnight on Saturday, but last week, we stayed open until 5:00 Sunday morning."
Sounds like a happening place. I'm heading out there, sometime in the next few days. Bud sounded nice as hell and I've got visions of meeting an old grognardly fellow, still playing with the LBB's, who may or not have heard of the OSR, but would like to play some D&D.
Update: scottsz posted on what the Pipe Dude said as well and makes a great point!
