Thank You And Good Night!

Reposting this from my Facebook feed:

Howdy, folks!

This status update is aimed primarily at the folks who know me through Comics Ink, our customers. Steve recently announced his well deserved retirement from the comics retail biz. A deal has been reached for The Comic Bug to take over the space, to expand their business and take care of the folks who have been shopping at the Ink. This is good news.

In the last couple of weeks I have spoken with a few customers and, after informing the owners and operators of The Comic Bug, I am announcing that I will not be staying on, that I am finishing my comics retail days as well when Comics Ink closes its doors. As of this writing and barring unforeseen circumstances, my last days at the shop will be the 17th, 20th, and the 24th of September.

This is also good news.

Jason, Adam, and I have known for more than a year of Steve’s retirement. In that time, I have gone over several possible scenarios for what was going to happen. One of those scenarios was exactly what is happening now. Namely, someone taking over the space. I looked at my options carefully. One option, one that is quite logical in today’s marketplace, was the possibility of a new owner wanting to bring in fresh people. That is their prerogative.

This was my worst case scenario.

Because no one is guaranteed a job anymore in today’s America.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I like to look at all options best and worst, and make my plans accordingly. I usually like to hope for the best and plan for the worst. Be prepared, as the Boy Scouts say.

Knowing what the worst case scenario for me was, I had to think about what I would do next.

What I planned for is exactly what I am doing now, going back to school, and what I am moving towards in the days to come, in terms of writing and other endeavors. And at the time, I found that plan very exciting. So exciting that I was no longer worried or concerned about staying on at the store whatever form it took. So exciting that I was looking forward to this time and not dreading it.

Which meant it was and is time for me to continue my journeys elsewhere.

I wish Mike and Jun and the rest of The Comic Bug’s staff well and much success with the new location.

I would like to thank Jason and Adam for being the best brothers in arms anyone could ask for. I couldn’t have made it through so many New Comics Days without you guys!

And I would like to thank each and every customer of Comics Ink. It has been my honor and pleasure to serve you, to provide with good comics and comedy each and every week for the past 7 years of my encore performance and for the 9 years of my first stint. I cherish those memories and the friendships that came from the store.

I would also like to ask any Comics Ink customers not to assume I am being pushed out in any way. I am not. My announcement to the Comic Bug guys was as much of a surprise to them as it may be to some of you.

I am looking forward and I would ask you guys to do the same.

Namaste! See y’all in the funny papers!