The Importance of Comic Books

Many times I find myself coming off as a “Comic Book Apologist” or a “Geek Apologist.” That is to say, I’m often times found in the position of defending or apologizing for being a fan of comic books and other genre-fiction such as animation, science fiction and video games. However, if it weren’t for comic books I wouldn’t be the person I am today. When I was in the 3rd grade I was put into a remedial reading program. The tests and teachers had determined that I apparently had a below average reading ability. I don’t think that was the case, I just didn’t have the motivation to do it. By the time I was in the 5th grade and discovered comic books I was reading at a beyond-college level and had also graduated to other authors such as Stephen King and Douglas Adams. If people could just get beyond the stigma of reading something that also contains pictures and understand the art and craft behind the work. I think others could also benefit from this often overlooked literature.