Dorkgasm Gonzo Is God

Ah, Rockhead's. If you live in the Kenosha area, no other name is as synonymous with comics and gaming as this one. Back when I was a wee lad just out of the whelping box, I remember when the comic store moved in just across from the Aladdin's Castle arcade in the Market Square complex. Finally! A place where I could get all of my comics in one shot instead of going to all of the other retail stores in town. Yes sir, twenty years ago, I got my first taste of the true comic book store. Now, other comic book stores came and went in this town, but Rockhead's always remained there. Sure, it moved around to a couple different places, but it pretty much remained the same. So, I thought it would be fitting for me to drop in and show my support for the store that gave me my lifeblood for so long ago. So myself and my buddies Randy and Jimmy grabbed some Chinese food and went down to get our comic party on.

I do not know what I expected, but I never expected what I saw.

Now, I know that places like this have to evolve and change with the times, but I think that maybe things have gone too far. When we walked in, we were confronted with a slew of gaming tables, miniatures, and rule books for about three-quarters of the store. I looked and looked, and finally found the comics waaaaaaayyyyy in the back. Imagine my surprise to go into a comic store and having to look for the comics! Swarms of tabletop gamers sat playing everything from miniatures to pen-and-paper games, while a lone Monopoly box sat unloved and forgotten. I looked around and suddenly felt very old. Now, there's were people older than me there. Hell, there were some people much older than me. However, I realized that it was my understanding that was old. I had never thought that the gaming aspect would over take comics in general. However, during dinner I had a chat with Jimmy about the comic industry. It all started with The Long Halloween...

You see, Jimmy was lamenting over the beautiful hardbound edition of The Long Halloween, which some people think is one of the best Batman stories ever. He really wanted it, but he also had to have some books to help with his schooling. Now, he obviously made the school choice, but it got us talking. I know someone who has a scan of The Long Halloween on their computer and told him I may be able to get him a copy. This brought on talk of the .cbr format and programs like CDisplay. He believes that programs and files like this one may be the downfall of the comic industry. With people trading these scans of comics, it eliminates the need for buying the paper books we all know and love. I did a search and found several different series, both past and present, available with a few mouse clicks. It was depressing, to say the least. I am someone who loves to have tangible things. Sure, I'll download the newest Nine inch Nails album when they are giving it away for free on their website, but I will be damned if I won't buy it when it comes out. I'll drop upwards of eighty dollars on the newest collection of Neil Gaiman's Sandman comics, just so I can have them on archival quality paper and all in one place. A lot of people are not like that, though. Is the comics industry dying? Are stores like Rockhead's putting the comics in the back because the medium is dying out? Am I just reading too much into things?

Well, if I am, where the crap are all of the back-issues that used to be out on the floor at Rockhead's? Oh, wait. I heard they were upstairs being sorted out. Well, maybe I may be wrong. Hell, maybe I'm right. I guess the future will hold the answer. For now though, I guess I'll just sit back with The Dark Knight Returns or Watchmen and remember a simpler time. I guess it's true what they say about nostalgia.

It just ain't what it used to be.