Since I was eight years old, I’ve had a secret addiction that began harmlessly enough at a friend’s house in Lima, NY. My friend gave me something to see if I’d like it. I did. And because we were friends, he fed my addiction for free – until he moved away – but the addiction stayed.
So I started mowing lawns, shoveling walkways, doing odd jobs around the neighborhood to earn money to support my habit – a habit that has grown more embarrassing with each passing year. I can’t keep it secret another day. I’m 40 years old and I’m addicted to…..
….comic books. It’s embarrassing, but try to understand that I can’t help it. The artwork, the writing, the characters, the stories – what’s not to love about comic books? I’ve gone so far as to call them “graphic novels” over the years to help rationalize my behavior but they are what they are – colorful illustrations of exaggeratedly-fit, costumed men and women fighting beneath floating word bubbles. Again I ask, what’s not to love?
I have to come clean today because it’s the national premiere of Iron Man 2, which I ashamedly admit that I can’t wait to see. Over the years, my wife has been tolerant and supportive of this aberrant behavior for a grown man – but her disdain is written on every eye roll. Perhaps you share this addiction with me. Don’t suffer in secret alone.
Please post a comment about the best comic or graphic novel you’ve ever read.
The Daily ReTORt
- Tor Constantino
- I'm no longer posting here. Visit my new blog -> WWW.THEDAILYRETORT.COM
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ReplyDeleteHey, I wonder if there's a support group for spouses of comic book-readers?
ReplyDeleteDear brother it has been no secret...anyone who knows you knows this. Your knowledge of comic book characters is to great....that was the tip off.
ReplyDeleteAs for me dare I say I loved Archie comics....yes not the same league but still a comic.
Nick has the same addiction more so for graphic novels and I think comics are the only things that Nate reads.
I dig Garfield comics!
ReplyDeleteHmmm.. I seem to remember a few certain radio station employees skipping out on work and going to see a matinee of Batman back in the day. Heck, I'd take an action hero/comic book movie any day over a chick flick. I can't wait for Iron Man 2!
ReplyDeleteTor, I too am a fan of the comic book. I have many large cardboard boxes full of them and a database filled with titles, condition, etc.
ReplyDeleteNo reason to cower and be shunned. Maybe a kick of sand on the beach by a bull every once in a while though...
Rich Jones
Well you know talking about is the first step LOL, welcome to tha family, Brother :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know you. You linked to me on Twitter. Why, I don't know. However, I've been perusing your blog, just for the fun of it and because I'm nosy like that. I'm a pastor's wife, 4 kids, computer geek. So, as I read that you have this secret confession, which at the time was unknown to me, I thought..."I should post sometime about my secret addiction to Archie comic books. I'll put pics on my blog and everything." I was still considering this when I clicked the page to find... You are kidding me, right?? I'm so serious... So, hey, it's cool with me. I have bags of Archie's that I chill out with every night. Of course, the newest craze is a gay character in the Archie's so I'm not sure where that's going to take me. Otherwise, I think comic books are so cool. Don't tell anyone you heard it from me! Have a great week! ;~)
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