Comic store clerks used to rule my pull list, now I just track it all myself

Back in the 90s I used to leave my pull list up to the guy at Cosmic Comics in Austin, just told him what series I liked and he picked the issues. I trusted his judgment completely, even when he added random crossovers I didn't ask for. Around 5 years ago I started using a spreadsheet after I missed issue 12 of a run I was collecting. Now I track my own pulls and order ahead online, feels weird not relying on someone who knew every release date by heart. Has anyone else stopped talking to their shop owner about what to grab?

3 comments

3 Comments

piperb9324d ago

My local guy in Denver back in the day pulled a random issue of Grendel for me because I had a Cocteau Twins tattoo on my arm. Said the art reminded him of their album covers. I had no clue what Grendel was but that comic turned into a whole obsession for me. Can't get that kind of serendipity from an app.

grantschmidt24d ago

That personal touch is something you just can't replicate with an algorithm.

jennys7224d ago

I had a guy at a shop in Portland back in 2003 who would pull stuff based on what I was drinking, I wore a different band shirt every Wednesday and he matched my pulls to the bands. Best pulls I ever got, he grabbed a random issue of Fables for me because I had a Tori Amos shirt on and said it had the same vibe. Now I use the League of Comic Geeks app and check it twice a week, feels like I lost a little magic trading that personal touch for a barcode. I miss the guy who knew I liked weird indie horror without me having to say a word.