10.  On the mornings I get to work before 10:57 am, I’m usually inputting all of the Previews catalogues for our long list of loyal patrons (well, friends really).  They diligently turn in their order forms every month and receive a 25% discount off of their comics, graphic novels, and just about anything else Diamond has to offer (except DVDs and a few toys, the cheap bastards).

9.  Once home, I’m usually reading either Scooby-Doo or Tiny Titans with my 5-year-old son; but we have thankfully been able to move on to some Tin Tin lately– Recommended reading: The Black Island.

8.  Wednesday mornings usually give only a 10 to 15 minute window for the latest issue of The Boys or The Walking Dead, the only two books I seem to not be able to let slip by.

7.  If I manage to remember to grab a couple of books before I leave on Wednesday night (Ernesto, two more over here, please!) it’s either the latest Hellboy one/two-shot, or better still the Unwritten so I don’t look too stupid when Amy asks me, “What did you think of that issue?  Wasn’t it awesome!”

6.  Anniversary weekend getaway a few months ago had me laying in bed laughing my ass off to Afrodisiac.  Jim Rugg, I love you.  My wife hates us both.  (Sorry, Monica…)

5.  Spent this last week in Mammoth.  Took a day trip to Bodie, the mining boomtown now turned ghost town.  Took plenty of pics and found inspiration for our next issue of Five Color Comics, Romance Round-up.

4.  Realised the “next issue” I just referred to is our third issue.  Unfortunately, issue #2 isn’t even out yet.  Even though it’s chock full of war and another beautiful Kala & GoGo story by none other than Rodolphe Guenoden, I spend a few minutes in quiet contemplation, then cry without sound.

3.  Buck up and blow my nose making sure my kids don’t see me cry and see the latest copy of Criminal, The Sinners, sitting on the dining room table.  Start thinking about our own crime comic with some amazing art by Ed LaRoche and Marc Sandroni, and only wish I could write like Brubaker.  Cry some more.

2.  Went to San Diego for Comic-Con!  Well, just for one day, Thursday…see what I mean.  (Sorry we missed your Walking Dead panel, Frank, but thanks for mentioning us!)

And the #1 reason I can’t make a Top Ten List:  I get to about here and can’t think of anything else…

One of the most commonly asked questions I receive, other than bathroom requests is, “Aren’t you afraid of digital comics putting you out of business?” Well, no. Actually I think digital comics conversely HELP the comic retailer. Let’s face it, the accessibility to comics in LA is awesome, however for Little Johnny in Podunk, Nowhere, his only option may be to download comics (stay with me here), also frequent travelers, commuters and the like may now carry their e-comic with them, without fear of moisture or the unholy creased corner, egad!

So, we’ve accessibility, convenience and soon a cheaper way of comic insertion.

“How in Hades does that help you though comic book retailer”? Well my comicwrinkling friend let me tell you. Be it through ANY medium, expanding the comic audience is inherently good! There will be a crossover from digital to paper. This is particularly true for the ongoing reader, because he, like me has comic ink in his veins. For decades we’ve been hardwired to read comics in there four color glory, that ink riddled tactile experience is something you will not receive from the computer screen. Try folding your laptop while grabbing a snack or beverage. Not the same right? Exposing more people thru free downloads or monthly services only serves to expand a somewhat stagnant medium. The experience of reading a PAPER comic (please, no more Floppy references) is a vastly different experience than alt keys and shift! especially when many people have already spent most of their day staring at a computer screen. Sitting down with a comic lends itself to more relaxing feelings, you can read it at your leisure, flip back a page or sneak a peak to the last page if you are so inclined (oh Marlan). Also let’s not forget the artistic merits of the paper package itself. Decisions on paper stock, color saturation, ad placement and panel position. All items that encompass any well produced comic. Hey, even the smell adds measure to the experience. Comics will always be a tactile, hands on pleasure that the cold metal contrap cannot reproduce.

Let’s embrace the e-comic, enjoy the battery powered convenience and accessibility, let its exposure and cost effective nature create new readers that can eventually experience the TRUE comic experience — sandwich in hand, comic squeezed between fingers, adventure a page turn away.