The (Comic) Boxer

Today, I was reading a comics-related magazine, when I noticed an ad in the back. It mentioned, among other things, a "new design" for one of it's products.

A comic box.

Now, I've been involved in comics in a variety of ways since I started reading them as a kid. I've been a comic shop manager, and a writer as well. I've attended any number of conventions over the years (a practice I hope to resume when time and finances permit).

In that time, I've seen many comic boxes. I even bought extra ones to help me move--some of you may not know that in addition to comics, they're great for paperback books, CD's DVD's and VCR tapes. They're sturdy, with built in handles and solid covers that don't even need to be taped on. You can write on them in pen, marker or sharpie, relabeling over the years as your collection grows.

They've been modified a little over the years, more acid free, recyclable materials, streamlined just a little from the old days.

But the basic design is the same. It's a bloody BOX, not a house or car.

So I look at the ad, and these boxes are proudly proclaimed "strong enough to stand on". OK, all you comic shop people--how often did you use some of the old back issue boxes as a ladder to replace a light bulb--on those occasions when the display table was too far away?

These also "need no tape or glue". Gee, the only time I ever taped up a box was when it was so old and used that it was wearing out and the store owner was too cheap to pop for new boxes, even though we got a discount! I can't ever recall a time when using glue to hold a box of comics together was an option.

I'm deliberately not mentioning the name of the supplier or the magazine, because I'm not trying to pick on them specifically. I'm sure other suppliers/manufacturers have made similar statements. It just struck me as funny that advertising has gotten so "out there" that someone actually thinks that announcing a new kind of box merits mention anywhere but in the funny books.

The one drawback to writing this is, when the time comes for me to order new boxes, I won't be allowed to have the "NEW" boxes.

Mike