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.
