Five Years of Comic Book Galaxy: 09.01.05
A Brief Commentary by Mike Sterling
For the fifth anniversary of Comic Book Galaxy, I'm going to tell you
something even site founder Alan David Doane doesn't know:
My first encounter with Mr. Doane was about three years before CBG's
internet presence was ever established.
Even back in those distant pre-eBay days, the comic book store I manage
did a good amount of business in mail order, advertising in magazines,
the other CBG (Comic Buyers' Guide), on a very
early version of our website, et cetera, et cetera. Well, for some
reason I have a pretty good memory for the names of our mail order
customers...sometimes, even if you ordered from us once, and wait two
or three years until your next order, I might still think to myself
"hmmm, I'm sure I've seen that name before...lemme go check." And, sure
enough, that name will turn up in our records.
In ADD's case, I started seeing his name online probably shortly after
he started Comic Book Galaxy, and about that time I started thinking
"you know, that name's ringing a bell for some reason...I wonder why?"
However, I didn't put it together with our mail order business until a
couple years ago, and when I went to check our records...sure enough,
there was Mr. Doane's name, having ordered a handful of comics from us
back in 1997.
Now, I don't bring this up to embarrass ADD with the comics he ordered
(though I could, should I care to reveal them...bribes accepted, c/o
this website). I also don't bring it up to create some kind of tortured
connection between his love of comics and his willingness to cast his
net far and wide to obtain more comics to enjoy, because, quite
frankly, it's just mail order. No big deal.
Actually, I just bring it up because I thought it was kind of neat. And
I've been meaning to say something to ADD about it, and just never got
around to it. I suppose the 5th anniversary of Comic Book Galaxy is
reason enough!
But, as long as I have your ear (or eye, actually), I'd like to say a
word or two about Alan David Doane and Comic Book Galaxy.
Okay, you may not agree with him sometimes, or even most of the time.
Perhaps he's ruffled a few feathers now and again with
the...enthusiasm of his opinions. I hesitate to say that he can
even be slightly abrasive at times...well, okay, he can be abrasive.
But at least he has opinions. At least he's not afraid to write
what he means, and mean what he says, and puts it out there in front of
God and everybody to look at, and think about, or maybe just point and
laugh...but you have to admit, he gets a reaction. And isn't that
preferable to reading yet another bland review, yet another retyped
press release?
And you also have to admit, he loves comics. Why else would he
keep Comic Book Galaxy going, in its various incarnations, with little
or no reward, for the last five years?
Okay, maybe he's just crazily obsessive. You've got me there. But
aren't all comic book fans?
So, good on you, Alan. Let's hope both you and Comic Book Galaxy keep
pushing comics forward for some time to come.
And, if any of you out there find yourself at odds with ADD, then
follow his lead. Start your own site and talk about the comics
you like. Let your opinions be heard! Or, if you already have a
comics site, keep it going! Keep discussing comics, enjoying them,
promoting them...
...That's how we all push comics forward.
For the fifth anniversary of Comic Book Galaxy, I'm going to tell you
something even site founder Alan David Doane doesn't know:
My first encounter with Mr. Doane was about three years before CBG's
internet presence was ever established.
Even back in those distant pre-eBay days, the comic book store I manage
did a good amount of business in mail order, advertising in magazines,
the other CBG (Comic Buyers' Guide), on a very
early version of our website, et cetera, et cetera. Well, for some
reason I have a pretty good memory for the names of our mail order
customers...sometimes, even if you ordered from us once, and wait two
or three years until your next order, I might still think to myself
"hmmm, I'm sure I've seen that name before...lemme go check." And, sure
enough, that name will turn up in our records.
In ADD's case, I started seeing his name online probably shortly after
he started Comic Book Galaxy, and about that time I started thinking
"you know, that name's ringing a bell for some reason...I wonder why?"
However, I didn't put it together with our mail order business until a
couple years ago, and when I went to check our records...sure enough,
there was Mr. Doane's name, having ordered a handful of comics from us
back in 1997.
Now, I don't bring this up to embarrass ADD with the comics he ordered
(though I could, should I care to reveal them...bribes accepted, c/o
this website). I also don't bring it up to create some kind of tortured
connection between his love of comics and his willingness to cast his
net far and wide to obtain more comics to enjoy, because, quite
frankly, it's just mail order. No big deal.
Actually, I just bring it up because I thought it was kind of neat. And
I've been meaning to say something to ADD about it, and just never got
around to it. I suppose the 5th anniversary of Comic Book Galaxy is
reason enough!
But, as long as I have your ear (or eye, actually), I'd like to say a
word or two about Alan David Doane and Comic Book Galaxy.
Okay, you may not agree with him sometimes, or even most of the time.
Perhaps he's ruffled a few feathers now and again with
the...enthusiasm of his opinions. I hesitate to say that he can
even be slightly abrasive at times...well, okay, he can be abrasive.
But at least he has opinions. At least he's not afraid to write
what he means, and mean what he says, and puts it out there in front of
God and everybody to look at, and think about, or maybe just point and
laugh...but you have to admit, he gets a reaction. And isn't that
preferable to reading yet another bland review, yet another retyped
press release?
And you also have to admit, he loves comics. Why else would he
keep Comic Book Galaxy going, in its various incarnations, with little
or no reward, for the last five years?
Okay, maybe he's just crazily obsessive. You've got me there. But
aren't all comic book fans?
So, good on you, Alan. Let's hope both you and Comic Book Galaxy keep
pushing comics forward for some time to come.
And, if any of you out there find yourself at odds with ADD, then
follow his lead. Start your own site and talk about the comics
you like. Let your opinions be heard! Or, if you already have a
comics site, keep it going! Keep discussing comics, enjoying them,
promoting them...
...That's how we all push comics forward.
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