I hear a lot of stories of people getting into the comic book world really young but I was sort of a late bloomer.
I lived in San Diego around the age of 11 or 12 when my dad tried to get me to go to the San Diego Comic Con but I declined as my foolish mind thought comics were stupid and for nerds. Oh god how I regretted that decision. About a year later I remember being grounded and bored and the only forms of entertainment were reading materials or going outside to play. I chose to pick up a copy of one of my dad’s comics lying around, The Spectacular Spider-Man #247. I loved it. 
I had no idea who any of the characters were. I mean, a son killing his own father? What could he possibly have done to make him do that? I was totally shocked and left on a cliff hanger and I wanted more. Not only did I come to love the super hero called Spider-Man who had a witty tongue, wore a spider suit and shot webs out of his hands but I started to grow some respect for the comic book community. I started my journey of comics from then on.
Even though I never got to go to the San Diego Comic Con, since I moved, I promised myself to try new things. Comics take us into a world where we can let go of our stresses and problems and just enjoy ourselves. They truly are a gift to this world.
Today I enjoy reading Deadpool, the Flash, the Avengers, Wonder Woman, Justice League, etc. Despite enjoying so many comics I always seem to be drawn to Spider-Man more than the others. He will always have a special place in my heart and that’s never going to change.
-Emily Reinhart