Captain Outraged! Edmonton, fall in!

[FillionRules]

It is times like these that I feel like Malcolm Reynolds. This is something that would surely get you kicked into an engine. I just went to a comic store to purchase the Serenity comic for my mom. The sweetheart that she is, gave her issues (with her favorite character on the front) to relatives who were having trouble tracking one down. Please bear in mind that Canada is a wondrous place where the service industry is polite and helpful, and that this experience is not the norm. The store I chose, which shall remain nameless (Warp 1 Comics), at an undisclosed location (just off Whyte Ave), has the singlemost sanctimonious, condescending, dishonest a$$hole I've had the misfortune of meeting. My brother and I called ahead to find out they had one issue left, but upon arriving, found out they are gouging people $20 bucks for the damned thing! "That's what they're worth." he sneered at me. I asked him to show me a listing of some sort to back it up. "Well, I just know what I paid Dark Horse for it." He wouldn't show me that, either. I am aware that Dark Horse wasn't expecting these books to sell as well as they are, and that they are going into a second printing, but I just picked up three of them two days ago at cover price at another store. My brother piped up with a, "What an interesting attitude you have." Let me tell you folks, this fella had an attitude, and a smirk that you wanted to knock off his face with a baseball bat dipped in dog poop. Of course, my brother couldn't help letting this guy know who he was trying to hose by holding the issue next to my face. "This guy look familliar? This isn't some JoJo off the street! He knows what he's talking about!" Check this out- the reply of this crap-catcher, who shall remain nameless (Darryl) was, (and imagine a dullards voice- how we make people we don't like sound in a story) "Well, then you can call Joss Whedon and ask him." I had to tell this purplebelly that I was being sarcastic when I thanked him for his excellent service, and I don't think he knew what sanctimonious meant!
Wouldn't a smart business man ask me to sign an issue and sell me one at a fair price? Wouldn't that fetch a prettier penny than ripping me off for one issue? Congratulations, dude! You are now on the Browncoat $hitlist.
Never have I tried to wield power in this way, but if being Malcolm Reynolds has taught me anything, it's to follow my over-developed sense of vengeance. BOYCOTT WARP ONE COMICS! If you are in the neighborhood, drop by to tell "the Buttress" that Browncoats don't take $hit from anyone. Tell your friends not to shop there, and lock 'em in the airlock if they do. Copy this post and e-mail it to fellow Edmontonians. Bump it to keep it alive.
Thank you. Thank you for letting me rant. If you feel I'm overboard, please feel free to, as Joss would say, contemplate silently.

The Captain

Edited to be less cruel, and to mention how wonderfully my dear mom was treated at HAPPY HARBOR. Thank you, staff and owners at Happy Harbor. You made my mom's day. Turns out, Warp One tried to hose her, too, by telling her that the Jayne covered issue was a rarity. Love you, Adam B. You ARE a rarity. Nothin' agin you. But will these butt-tards stoop so low as to steal from a woman? For shame, Warp One, for shame.

[ambra]

A smart business man would have also taken a pic with Nathan and hung it in a prominent area of the shop but it doesn't sound like this guy was overly blessed, if at all, with either brains or charm!

[admiraldigby]

Hi , this is a test ( first post here ) .

I do agree a picture would have been a champion idea .
I feel that Darryl must have had a braincramp that afternoon .
Almost feel sorry for him .
Almost .

[larsblitzer]

True enough, the store owner was rather bone-headed about it, but it is the perogative of a businessman to make a profit. That said, $19.95 for a comic that just came out less than a week ago is steep. Even more so when the guy on the cover wanted a copy. Darryl missed a golden oppertunity to get some good press.

[2tone]

hey i don't know if you read this nathan but im from edmonton and i worked at warp one on whyte ave and trust me i hated it i quite with in a week cuz he was rude and all his prices were so much so i stop goin there and travel the distance to another better comic store just wanted to share with you.

[ambra]

This guy reminds me of "Comic Book Guy" from the Simpsons: Surly, condenscending, "a sad little king of a sad little hill". Glad you got outta there, 2tone!

[BelovedFillie]

Well, I know what I would have done, if Nathan walked into my comic book store.

(Let's not think anything sexual here....I've already done that.)

But I would have been a hell of a lot nicer!

[patpaws]

I don't think they knew who he was. And by the time they did it was too late. There was a post on a LJ from another clerk stating that. A week or so later he did a 2nd post. Apologizing to the innoncent. Guess I could post it here as I'm a member of the Serenity board and Nathan and Joss post occasionally.

[patpaws]

Here is his 2nd post about Warp One:

Posted: 05 Aug 2005 1:59 pm
Post subject: Update from the Captain

There is a fire that burns within the hearts of Browncoats. Cross them at your own peril. This is one thing I've learned in the past three weeks. I posted a call to Browncoats to boycott a jerk. The results have been hilarious, I think we can all agree. However, my brother gave me a call, and has concerns about how far it's gone, and I think he may be right. Let's look at the pros and cons.

Pros- Comic book guy exposed. Lost some business as a result. Cons- Employees at his store are getting flak they don't deserve. As a matter of fact, there were a number of employees who were kind and helpful. My pal Mark says he gets great service from the very same guy.
Pros- The comic is incredibly popular! All these folks trying to get ahold of it is amazing and bodes well for the movie.
Cons- There are two similar stores in Edmonton, Warp 2 and 3, that are not affilliated with Warp 1 for the same reasons I don't I like 'em. They, too, are losing business.
Pros- Happy Harbor is getting extra business. Browncoats are ordering their comics from Canada, just to support them. (Which is the most incredible thing I've ever heard of.)
Cons- I'm starting to feel like a d*ck. ( I just wanted to boycott the fella, and now he's being tortured.
Pros- Funny stories of other comic store owners getting into business because they didn't like that same fella. Trevor from Saturn Comics got banned from Warp 1 at age 14. As I understand it, his offence was asking where the Hulk comics were. Now, with his own store, he banned Darryl.

I think a delicious bowl of hot, steamy justice has been served. What more can one ask than a man's eyes be opened to his effect on the world around him? I always try to think, though, what would it take for a man to change? Will being attacked make him a kinder man, or simply entrench him deeper? It is my hope, Darryl, that you will henceforth be kinder to the people that come to buy at your store. Make them at home. Make them a welcome guest. Charge what you will, but be honest to folks if they can get the same thing cheaper elsewhere. Then you will be respected. PS- You are not a crap catcher, I said that because I was angry. To you, Browncoats, I give props of the highest order. The support has been more incredible than one could hope for. It is now time we celebrate victory. This battle has left them bloodied and weary. Turn your battle worn selves back around, and go home to your loved ones with your heads held high. I salute you. To the employees of Warp 1, my apologies for any suffering you have endured as a result of my dissatisfaction with your employer.

Perhaps you have suffered worst of all. I salute you. To Saturn Comics, who gave my niece a free comic, I salute you. To Wizard Comics, for polite, fun, and friendly service in Millwoods, I salute you. To Warps 2 and 3, my frank and sincere apologies for any collateral damage you may have suffered, AND I salute you. Happy Harbor, you get a nod, wink, and a salute. Salutes to my peeps, and to our fallen comrades (Remember Lux? He would have thought this was hilarious). I think all you Browncoats are amazing. Your wit, and your willingness for action. Job well done. This was no Serenity Valley. This one was a win. Let us be gracious winners, and leave with honor. Ears and noses shall be the trophies of the day. I will be sending flowers to Warp 1 as a sign of peace. Lilies, I think. Now my brother can stress less. Gorammit, this was funny, though, eh?

Now I feel as though we should find a proper cause to harness all this incredible Browncoat support. I don't know what it is just yet, but it will definitly be more noble than a comicbook, and still funny.

Nathan Fillion

[ambra]

Well, sounds like Darryl has learned his lesson--hopefully. Even if he didn't recognize Nathan, it doesn't excuse his rudeness which, from what 2tone said and from some of the things mentioned in Nathan's 2nd post, was the rule, not the norm. Now that he's experienced some serious karmic payback, maybe he'll change his ways.

Hope the employess at Warp 1 didn't get too much flack; 2tone could probably attest to the suffering they already had to endure at the hands of their boss. Anyone who's worked in a customer service type job I'm sure has had to listen to all kinds of complaints that had to do with the management or company policy and not themselves. When I worked as a directory assistance operator, I got called every name in the book and told by customers, "YOU have to change this or that," like I had anything to do with what the company did. I once had a customer who was upset something completely seperate from the directory assistance system. After listening to a streak of cussing that would've made Jayne blush, I finally said, "Ma'm, I have nothing at all to do with that; I just work here and the people who run the company don't give a rat's behind about any suggestions I have!"

Hope the other comic stores and other business that Nathan said such nice things about continue to do well. Now that the power of the Browncoats has turned to helping the hurricane victims, we can hopefully make a significant change for the good in the lives of those people!

[Ophelia]

[glow=red,2,300]I went to High School with Nathan and recall his bright spirit filling the halls. I observe his rise in theatre; following his passion which always appeared to be naturally within.

Your lack of fear; striking out on many levels, Nathan, is what brings a smile to many souls back home.

You are living your dreams. It is simply admirable.[/glow]

[FillionRules]

Glad you could find us Ophelia!

Welcome

[ambra]

Welcome, Ophelia! So, got any pics of Nathan in high school that you can share with us? Did he have the popular mullet hairstyle? I shouldn't talk--I went to high school and college during the 80's and I had the "mall girl" hairstyle--layered, moussed, bangs teased and fluffed, finished off with so much hairspray my hair would make a crackling sound when I touched it! And to think, I thought I looked pretty darn hot with that 'do!

[gphodge]

Nathan,

If you ever need a copy of a Dark Horse Comic as described above, I could go to Dark Horse comics in Milwaukie Oregon which is only a few miles from home and kick someone into there engine for you and get a copy. Just Kidding on the engine thing. But I would like to tell you how much I have enjoyed the series and the movie, and I have just recently discovered them both. I have been telling everybody I know about them.

[Obsidiana Girl]

Wow, I don't think I've laughed harder in my goram life...I thought i was the only person in the world who would send a totally withering, yet funny, flame out and then feel like a d*** when I was heard...

I have to say I love the spirit of this list and especially the caustic wit of Nathan Fillion...

To the rest o' ya...Congradulations on the big steamin' bowl of justice ya'll served up.

Sid aka Obsidiana Girl