So the story behind the whole “comics in a grocery store” thing… It was the most amazing-est thing.

I was up early the other day – dentist appointment to get a filling. So I got that done, my face half numb and my tongue incapable of pronouncing dick (“Dwique.”), and figured I’d roll by the grocery store – pick up necessities. Orange soda. Bologna. Those heavenly Betty Crocker’s Warm Delights (because that first cavity-filling was just the beginning).

I guess it’s habit. I dropped by the magazine aisle, perused the gaming mags, snuck curious, man-fully shameful peeks at Cosmo and Oprah… And looked for the comics. Nothing. It wasn’t surprising – comics haven’t been on the mag-racks in ages. Somewhere between the orange soda and the bologna, though, I saw it. Tucked right near the check-out, right next to the cheap-ass kiddy toys. It was there:

A comic book rack.

I damn near cried.

When I was a kid, I didn’t get my comics from the comic book store. I went to Wal-Mart. And Randal’s. Albertson’s and Jitney-friggin’ Jungle. I remember going to the grocery store with my grandpa when I was a kid, and I’d just park myself in front of the rack and read. Seeing that – man, it was nostalgic. And there was some pride in it – seeing comics in a grocery store of all places. And alotta’ the racks were empty, or the books nearly gone, too! ‘Cause hey, people love comics.

Of course, the grocery store isn’t the best place to pick up your pull list, either. =P I grabbed the latest of the relaunced Justice League of America and Sonic the Hedgehog, by my palses Ian Flynn and Tracy Yardley as it just hit the stand. (I was at the check-out… “Shid! Ho’d on, be wight bwack.”) But still… Comics. In a grocery store.

In convention news, I will be attending Anime South in Destin, FL, this weekend. Then November 17 – 19, I will be up in Vienna, Virginia, at Anime USA, sharing a bit o’ table space with the fine fellows of Hookie Dookie Panic (Much love, guys!). Hope to see ya’ there! =D