On Wednesday night, I entered one of my favorite comic book stores in Berkeley. I had a short amount of time, but was in the neighborhood and wanted to visit a place I frequented when I attended Cal. I have always loved comic book stores as it feels comfortable, like (a much more interesting) home. My actual place mimics a comic book store with a collection of figurines, literature on various comic franchises, and of course, comic books on display. It's not a coincidence.
Don't encourage your local comic book chauvinist.At the counter, I checked in my bag and the two clerks commended me on having the Boba Fett key chain hanging off my backpack by saying I got "extra points" for that. I shrugged my shoulders and carried on by walking towards my favorite publishers. After I found an interesting section and picked up a book, a Barry White-esc song started playing from the store stereo system. I looked up and realized that every person in the comic book store was not only male, but looking at me with a smirk at that moment. I rolled my eyes and continued sifting through the Marvel box. Soon after they got their giggles in, they cut the obnoxious music.
It was obvious that these guys were trying to get a rise out of me and I tried to humor (read: ignore) them, but it seemed as if my peaceful stroll to the comic book store was going to be anything but that. I went over to a different corner and this 40-something-year-old man [who obviously lacked social skills] walked up to me a complimented my gloves. Yes, gloves. Sure they are cute, but really they are your run-of-the-mill hipster fingerless gloves. That was not what disturbed me, but what came later is my inspiration for writing this blog post. I was looking at action figures in the dimly lit jewel case and noticed Marvel's Captain America surrounded by Superman and a number of other DC characters. I didn't see any other Marvel heroes or foes so I asked for help, and was directed to where the rest of the Marvel characters were. After he showed me their location on the obscured side of the shelf, the 40-something-year-old quipped "You know, if you don't know the difference between Marvel and DC, you should probably not look at or buy one of those." The clerk answered him with, "Well, maybe it's a present for someone else." I find it hard to believe that the only reason a girl would be at a comic book store is to buy her nerdy boyfriend a comic book figurine. I turned around and said to the chauvinist, "Look, I know the difference between Marvel and DC very well, I've been collecting since I was about seven-years-old." He had no response and was flustered by my response. I wanted to drop some knowledge on him but realized he wasn't worth my time, which I already had little of walking into the store. I promptly bought my stuff and left the place with a sour aftertaste.
I know a lot of you who have followed my career are male and may actually frequent comic book stores. The truth is, it sucks being treated different as a female especially if it involves insulting my genuine interest or intellect. Some of you out there may have thoughts like the comic book chauvinist at your local game store, Best Buy, (insert dorky hangout here), but I encourage you to think outside of the box. That girl might be dragging her boyfriend/brother to the comic book or video game store [I've done both], not the other way around. She may be an avid gamer who cheered when Samus Aran took off her helmet in Metroid after spending weeks playing it as a child. She might be the girl who loves comic book conventions, buys three-day-passes, and likens them to heaven. She might be a lot like me, so think twice before you made snide remarks to a female who is on "your" turf.
I have been going to comic book stores all my life and have noticed some behavioral shifts when I am outnumbered, but it has never been as blatant as this last visit. Sure, I can take a joke, even some Barry White, but not that they only cause I have to be at the comic book store is to pick up a gift for man. One of the first things that made me fall in love with comic books was how female super heroes were often on the same footing as their male counterparts. They were sexy, but that never discounted their inherent power. Especially in new media, I feel like my lady peers and I are as smart (if not smarter) than our co-stars and can be that savvy personality while looking beautiful. Not all men are like this comic book chauvinist [who clearly has never watched A Comicbook Orange, by the way] and I hope that you reading this recognize this attitude in your friends, coworkers, etc. and try to stop it. Remember, there's a reason why Jean Grey is considered one of the most powerful mutants and has a huge cult following; it's not because she looks good in spandex. For that same reason, I love comic books and will continue going to comic book stores--well except for this one in Berkeley. They are now on my "avoid" list. I hope they stop making females feel unwelcome unless they plan on evolving into asexual beings. There's a mutant power that would benefit those guys!
Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 05:35PM 
