You can click that image for a larger view.

As you're aware I'm promoting my new web comic Haunted. One of the ways I'm promoting is with postcards. When I was in NY I stopped by a few comic stores (Jim Hanley's Universe, Midtown Comics & Forbidden Planet)  and asked if I could leave postcards. They all said sure.

My regular comic shop Read More Comics also said yes. Today I stopped by another local shop and asked the same thing.  He says, "What do I get out of it?"  I frankly was taken back a bit. I suppose it's a fair question. It's his store and I am essentially asking to advertise there. But I did have $10 worth of books that I was buying. Which is what I stammered out.  And I do occasionally stop by and pick things up.

If he had simply said "No, I appreciate the interest but we don't allow outside advertising." I would have been disappointed but ok with it.

Instead he responds with how if he promotes my comic it's taking money from his store. To which I said it's a free web comic. I'm not selling anything. He goes on that if he promotes web comics his customers will get their entertainment for free and not spend their money at his store. I felt like a douche bag listening to him, like I had done something wrong.

Now about 2 years back when I deciding between the 2 local stores on which would be my regular shop I chose the one I did because the owner is a comic fan. He genuinely loves comics and it shows. But the vibe a got from this store is that it's their job. Which certainly doesn't mean he doesn't love comics but he (and his wife) always came across as more "this is my job".  (I'm not saying don't be business oriented. Most comic shops could probably do with a better business model. But if you're not in comics because you love them, then go get a real job and make some decent money.)

Now I still went ahead and made my purchase and he gave me a pass for a free screening of the movie "Super Bad" I will chalk that up to him being nice and appreciative of my business and not for feeling like a jerk for saying no.  But he doesn't have a clue what he just did.  He just gave me (and all the rest of his customers) something for free entertainment.  So does that mean I'm going to stop buying comics because I get free entertainment elsewhere? No of course not.

But I wont be buying anymore comics from him.


(and on a petty note, I hate the music that he plays on the overhead speakers)