Geeky Moms and Comics

There is some unwritten rule that Moms are not allowed to buy comics, unless they're buying them For Their Kids or are 'Serious Collectors'. It's OK to buy comics until you get out of college, or maybe turn 25 or something, but definitely not after after age 29 and/or birthing children. I'm not sure what it is about comics that oozes immaturity. Granted, the writing isn't Pulitzer-prize level, but they're fun to read. What's not to love about an Elfquest graphic novel or a Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic (aka KotOR) comic? I get more of the universes I love in a fun package.

Of course, this leads to some interesting conversations like this--on Skype chat, of course, because that's appropriately geeky.

Me: I gotta run. The kids and I are going to Rockheads to pick up the latest KotOR comic.

Trusty Friend Rogue Nine: You are such a geek. :D

The smiley, naturally, is very important to avoid misconstruing 'geek' as a pejorative. :) Of course, Niner's an admin at LucasForums and showed me how to Skype and set up my IRC in the first place. People who live online should not throw virtual stones. :D

Anyway, I have to be one of the few moms who goes into the store to, get this, buy my own comics. I go to Rockheads about every 2 to 3 weeks or so to see if the latest issue of the KotOR comic is out yet or to browse the racks to see if there's a new D&D adventure module or book.

There is a particular group of guys who are somewhere around late high school to college age who are usually there when I stop by. I almost wonder if they live there--the owner has a soda and snack machine, so all they need are some sleeping bags and they're set for life. When you're in college, you can live on banana Twinkies and Coke, you know. Real food isn't required. They're typically playing Warhammer or Magic, arguing over which Pokemon is better, painting miniatures, or running some wargame with said miniatures on one of the big tables set up for just that purpose.

I've been there often enough now that they're starting to recognize me (although granted, I'm not exactly a forgettable character). After the kids and I leave with our purchases, I can just imagine their conversation goes like this:

1st guy: Dude! Check out that mom! She just bought a comic!

2nd guy: So? She's got kids. They always get comics.

1st guy: No, man, the kids had their own. She's holding a KotOR comic, you know, the newest one that just came in today. She's getting it for herself!

2nd guy: You're whacked. No moms read those things. It's gotta be for the kids. Or maybe she's a collector.

1st guy: I'm telling you, she was really checking it out while they were waiting to check out, dude. I mean, she was actually reading it.

2nd guy: Man, if she's that geeky, her kids are doomed.

Wait til they find out that we play D&D as a family to help the kids improve their math skills.