Agents/editors exist to make the artist change their work. Back when Gary Larson was drawing The Far Side, his editor was always making him change something or another before he could get published. (It's really quite interesting to read his comments and see his original comics before they were edited. Sometimes the editor seemed to have a valid complaint. Other times, it was too much and completely killed the whole point of the comic.)
Granted, people like me exist that are not comfortable reading about such things, but to be fair, I don't like reading romance of any sort. It's not why I read a story. (In fact, when the Harry Potter series dove in to Harry's pursuit of the ladies, I started to dislike the books. I read through to the end, anyway, although I still don't really care for that part at all.) Agents/editors want something to appeal to the largest audience possible, which means not being as "extreme" with characters, concepts, what have you. They're a necessary evil in the entertainment business, unfortunately...
Your customers amuse me a bit. In regard to the parent balking at comic book costs, it might be good to inform them that a good comic is not a one-time read. For me, the best comics are those I do enjoy reading the first time, but that continue to call me back for future reading. (Maus is that comic, actually. I never get tired of it.) Not to mention, there are comic versions of some really great literary works, and the pictures within the comic version may help a child get through the great work more easily.
How old was the customer that questioned your want to be a wife? And what were they doing in a comic shop? ;)
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Granted, people like me exist that are not comfortable reading about such things, but to be fair, I don't like reading romance of any sort. It's not why I read a story. (In fact, when the Harry Potter series dove in to Harry's pursuit of the ladies, I started to dislike the books. I read through to the end, anyway, although I still don't really care for that part at all.) Agents/editors want something to appeal to the largest audience possible, which means not being as "extreme" with characters, concepts, what have you. They're a necessary evil in the entertainment business, unfortunately...
Your customers amuse me a bit. In regard to the parent balking at comic book costs, it might be good to inform them that a good comic is not a one-time read. For me, the best comics are those I do enjoy reading the first time, but that continue to call me back for future reading. (Maus is that comic, actually. I never get tired of it.) Not to mention, there are comic versions of some really great literary works, and the pictures within the comic version may help a child get through the great work more easily.
How old was the customer that questioned your want to be a wife? And what were they doing in a comic shop? ;)