I was a comic book fan long before comic book movies took over the world.
In 2007, the year before Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man film took over the world, if your said you liked comic books, people would look at you strangely.
Back then, comic book fans were considered immature, socially maladjusted, and purveyors of cheap literature.
It was not cool to be a comic book fan in 2007.
Then boom! Iron Man is released in 2008 and the entire world becomes comic book fans overnight.
Well, fans of comic book movies anyway.
If I sound bitter, I am too an extent. And no, not just because of comic book poseurs (you know who you are).
The year 2007 was also the last time I was able to afford buying comic books. I have been reading comic books since I was child, and it was a hard connection to sever.
Why? Well, I am a grown man and the average comic book costs about $4. So, if I bought 20 comic books monthly, that would cost me $80 monthly.
Or, about $960 annually.
Also, there are many event comics that cost $7 or $10 for a single issue.
When we become adults, prioritizing bills is supposed to become an essential life skill.
I am a full-time freelance writer with no medical insurance.
Buying comic books is not high on my list of priorities at the moment, no matter how much I love them.
I haven’t bought a comic book in over 12 years.
It’s been awful.
A Choice Made by the Necessities of Life
No, there is no need to have an ounce of sympathy for me.
It was a decision borne of necessity more than choice.
For one thing, the story and art quality of a comic book differs greatly from comic to comic.
I’ll be damned and a half if I’m going to pay $4-a-pop for low-quality issues, known as, “filler,” issues, and substandard stories.
Also, its mainly about practicality.
If I have to choose between my rent, food, paying for medical care or transportation costs over a comic book, the comic book is going to lose every time.
I can’t eat a comic book.
And, there is a lot of things I would rather do with $960 right now than buy comic books.
I have a sibling who still buys comics. He would lend them to me from time to time.
And, I read up on all the latest comic book news on various comic book news websites.
So, it’s not the end of world.
But it will never be any year before 2008 again either.
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Allen Francis was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years with no money, no financial literacy, and no responsibility when he had money. To him, the phrase “personal finance,” contains the power that anyone has to grow their own wealth. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including focusing on your needs instead of your wants, asking for help when you need it, saving and investing in your own small business.