Hit ‘em low, Olive Oil.

The other night I went to the new “flagship” (i dislike that term) Barnes and Noble store on the Upper East. Apparently Marvel turned 70, and there were celebrations at comics retailers all across the nation. This particular B&N held a discussion panel with some of Marvel’s past and present bigwigs… Joe Quesada, Chris Claremont, Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente, and Klaus Janson.

I recognized at least two of those names, and I knew Chris Claremont to be funny and elusive with his question answering, from when I saw him at the “Comic Book Club” a few months ago. So I went, listened to them talk about previous and upcoming Marvel offerings for a bit, and then stayed to get the 70th Anniversary collection signed.

While they were talking, I looked around the room and realized I was the only female there ALONE. All the other girls, while many of them seemed like huge nerds, were there with other guys (mind you, not a single group had more than one female….) So when I was getting my stuff signed, all the Marvel guys were being super nice and extra smiley, like they’d never seen a girl before. Then the last of them, Klaus Janson, known for his inking (especially of Frank Miller’s works), flat out asked me if the autographed book was for me. Ummm, I know I don’t have the outward appearance of a comic book fan, but that doesn’t mean I’m not one. (not that I’m a really big into comics, but I like a good story, and Marvel has some of the best.) I honestly felt discriminated against. I was the minority in a room of fanboys, and let me tell you, I’ve never felt more inferior, yet surprisingly superior in my entire life.

What a strange yet satisfying experience.

Edited: August 14th, 2009