“No, we don’t sell porn. Graphic novels are just books with pictures.”

I often see parents in the store doing a little bit of recon on behalf of their children. They want to come in and check the place out because they’ve either been to a store that resembles a porn shop, or they’re a little unsure as to what exactly a graphic novel is. They peer in the window, open the door slowly and proceed to make sure things are on the up and up. They usually make the loop and smile the big smile when they realize how much fun a comic store can be. I’m happy they made it in and even happier they care what their kids are into.

The term “Graphic Novel” originated as a way to usher in a little acceptance from what was, and still is to a lesser degree, seen as a children’s medium. People were creating substantial works of art through comic books and wanted to be taken seriously, hence the movement to give them a different label. I’ve always liked calling them comic books and these days, graphic novels usually refer to books that never came out in the traditional “floppy” format.

In the same way a graphic designer doesn’t draw people having sex, graphic novels aren’t in any way a form of pornography.

My first attempt at negotiating a place for our store didn’t go too smoothly, for this very reason. I had to write a two-page manifesto explaining what a comic book store does. I just kind of assumed because comic book movies have become so popular and because comics had been around forever that the general public just knew what to expect from a comics specialty store. Of all the things I was worried about when starting a business, having to explain what we were going to do wasn’t one of them. The blank stares and half-smiles were kind of disheartening. Thankfully, I found the brothers Cogan, who thought comics were pretty awesome, but someone paying rent every month was even cooler!

The experience forced me to realize that not everyone knew how awesome comics are, and that I had some serious work to do. I also realized that graphic novels would be the means to convert the non-believers.

Graphic novels are a little more user-friendly for the first-time comic buyer because they tell a complete story and don’t require you to know anything ahead of time to enjoy it. There’s literally something for everyone. You like Trueblood? Well, you’ll love the irreverence in Preacher. Enjoy crime fiction? Criminal is a noir lover’s dream. Never miss an episode of Lost? Lost writer Brian K. Vaughan writes Y: The Last Man and Ex Machina, two fantastic comics. Find yourself in a serious mood? There are stories about war zones, freedom fighters, historical figures, and everything else that writers, of any medium, are wont to write about.

Thankfully, comic lovers have made it out in force and hopefully feel like Local Heroes is their comic store. I love our regular customers, but there’s nothing quite like turning someone on to a really great graphic novel and having them come back the very next day with a big grin on their face, ready for the second volume or another recommendation. It really makes this job a lot of fun.

I think independent business kicks ass, and the cooler destination stores here make Norfolk ideal for people looking to escape that same generic stuff you can get anywhere. Next time you find yourself wanting to be entertained, come by Local Heroes and just ask us what’s good!