The Comic Book Guy

Earlier this week at the New York Comic Con a comic book vendor got his opportunity to play an action hero.  Matt Nelson, co-owner of Worldwide Comics, chased down a thief who tried to steal a comic book (Action Comics #11) valued at $4000.  When asked to describe the incident, sounding a bit like the Adam West, Nelson came up with this gem:

"Like Superman, I flew into action, determined to stop the bad guys. Just like in the comics, justice prevailed."
 
We all have childhood heroes and in a strange way Nelson comparing himself to Superman sort of reminds me of a 10-year-old kid pretending that he is Wayne Gretzky while playing street hockey except for the glaring fact that Nelson is not a kid but a 40-year-old man.  Nelson had to know that this story would receive at least a little exposure and given the opportunity to explain what happened Nelson came up with that?  Does anybody else think that Nelson has been practicing that line for the last twenty years?  I think it is safe to say that nobody can come off good making comparisons to Superman especially saying it to a major newspaper.  All Nelson needed to successfully complete the comic book guy stereotype was his own sidekick making a "gee golly" comment at the end.
 
The first thing that comes to mind when I think about a comics is The Simpsons character "The Comic Book Guy" who is supposed to represent a stereotypical middle-aged comic-book collector.  According to wikipedia.com, "Comic Book Guy is an obese, nerdy and snobby man best known for his sarcastic quips. He is obsessed with collecting comic books and is an avid science fiction buff." I started buying comic books back when Doomsday was on his way to killing Superman and Bane's plan to break Batman was starting to take place.  I can tell you from my experience that The Simpsons version of a comic book vendor is not far from the truth.  I can only imagine a sweating, Flash t-shirt wearing Nelson with a burrito in hand trying his best to chase down the villain.  

The best part of the story is that while Nelson was running after the thief, a second thief was stealing several other valuable comics including a copy of Whiz Comics No. 1 worth $11,000.  The first thief, Richard Turner, has been charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property. Nelson should be charged with perpetuating the middle-aged comic book guy stereotype.