All About Books & Comics is like philosophy and Phil Collins' post-Genesis contributions to music; I know I'm supposed to give a shit, but I don't. Try as I may, I just can't get excited about it. \n\nAAB&C has everything a good comic store should have; in-depth yet intuitive store lay-out, boxes upon boxes of back issues, nice tidy displays of action figures and busts, a big sign on the front of the store  professing their accolades...\n\nAnd that's it.\n\nThere's no playing or reading space of any kind. No television. The radio usually plays smooth jazz or some other music substitute.\n\nAnd unless you're willing to strike up a conversation with the guy in the Amoeba Music t-shirt who so looks like he's already judged your worth as a person by the time you've made it to the graphic novels section, there's really no one to strike up any conversation with. Unless you need help looking for something (here's a hint...alphabetization).\n\nYes, AAB&C is a good \"comic book store\"...by standards set ten or twenty years ago. These days I expect more from my comic book store. \n\nMaybe it's because of the integration of trading card players into geek culture. Or maybe it's because the internet has replaced basic human interaction and I crave more face to face time with other nerds like myself. \n\nOr maybe it's because it's 114 fucking degrees outside and I need a place to go.\n\nBut me personally, I like a comic book store with some atmosphere and hospitality.\n\nSure, not having any playing space to play or read cuts back on the \"Yeah, I think I can get it one more game in before my mom comes to pick me up\" crowd, but let's call a spade a spade; you used to be that fucking kid. And so did I. \n\nMaybe it wasn't our local comic shop, but it was the mall, the movie theater, perhaps even La Biblioteca. We've all been there, we all had parents who didn't want to spend the weekend with us, and as annoying as the spectacle of sad and fail is to behold, we have no real place to pass judgment. \n\nAfter all, we're the ones buying comic books and action figures we'll never take out of the box. And the shops can afford to carry such ridiculous fare from all the income they get hosting Magi-Yugi-Mon events.\n\nBut wait, if AAB&C doesn't cater to such a crowd...how do they...wait what?\n\nIn my reviews of other comic book outlets, I've referred to AAB&C to \"All About Crooks & Comics\". \n\nThis is not a mere clever nickname given by the fund-deprived; AAB&C has a reputation for ripping off those poor and unfortunate few who come across a rare or vintage back issue/piece of memorabilia and bring it in hoping to get a reasonable price for it. \n\nI can't prove from first-hand experience, as I'm not a \"collector\", I'm a reader. I don't keep my books in bags, and with the exception of a set of JTHM I got for Christmas from Misty S, I don't even have any recent single issues. I just wait for them to come out on trade paperback. \n\nI know. The horror. The horror.\n\nBut I have had a lot of friends who've griped to me about going back to AAB&C and finding the same book they sold them a few weeks ago on sale for 3, 4, or perhaps even 5 times the amount it was bought. \n\nGranted, this is a common occurrence in all \"Used & New\" businesses; remember that commercial for Gamestop where the guy mentions that he's selling his copy of [Random First Person Shooter] for 15 bucks? Yeah, that never fucking happens. That guy would be lucky if he got 10, and that's including the 10% extra that his Gamestop card would give him, if he was smart enough to sign up for one in the first place. \n\nBut if AAB&C doesn't really buy into the whole \"trading card/clicking miniature figures\" craze, it makes you wonder where the profit comes from. Especially when there's a Samurai on Indian School & 7th St, an Atomic Comics at 28th Dr and Peoria, Stalking Moon on Greenway and Hero Comics on T-Bird.\n\nMaybe AAB&C primarily services \"serious buyers\" who do not have the time or patience for all the hub-bub and tomfoolery to be had at the other, trendier locations. Maybe it's those same people who gave this place all 5's (except the one who admits they only come in to buy gift certificates). \n\nMaybe that's where AAB&C's niche lies, and we should accept that certain people want certain things out of the places they give their patronage.\n\nWho knows? You've probably stopped giving a shit about what I say ever since I admitted I only buy trades. \n\nBut don't lie, you've got a friend who spouts nothing but quotes from Plato and Socrates, and every time he walks away everyone in your group is all \"I just want to kick that guy in the fucking balls!\"  \n\nUnless that friend is you.\n\nYou ass.