Showerthought: I was wrong about gatekeeping in comic shops

For years, I rolled my eyes at the 'gatekeeping' label, thinking fans were just passionate. Then I saw a new reader get grilled on Green Lantern lore at my local shop in Cincinnati, and they left empty-handed. That moment made me realize some 'passion' actively hurts the hobby. Has anyone else seen this push people away?

3 comments

3 Comments

parkerm561mo ago

Saw that too, @finley447. My shop once quizzed a kid on Spider-Man.

finley4471mo ago

They grilled someone on Green Lantern lore in Cincinnati?

the_dylan1d agoTop Commenter

Oh man, that reminds me of a comic shop in Cleveland that made you name three members of the Legion of Super-Heroes before they'd sell you a Silver Age book. It was a whole thing.