Geek has never been more chic - why we still love the classic comic book

Hey, stop laughing, it's true.

Don't believe us?

Two of the biggest films of all time are about superheroes – that'd be Avengers Assemble and Iron Man 3, grossing more than $2.7 billion between them – stars such as Mila Kunis, Cheryl Cole and Rachel Bilson are strutting around town in designer Batman prints and it's no coincidence that colossal companies Disney and Warner Brothers own Marvel and DC respectively.

Stephen King's son, Joe Hill is a respected writer and former My Chemical Romancer, Gerard Way and Anthrax guitarist, Scott Ian are also in the industry. Yeah, that's right, actual real-life rock stars. Pretty cool, huh?

All in all, it's a creative and colossal industry worth billions, with a fanbase more loving and loyal than anything you'd find down Molineux on a Saturday afternoon.

But despite all the cash, gloss and CGI of nowadays, it still starts oh-so-simple for those making their first foray into the world of comics.

The saving of pocket money, the rush to the newsagents or specialist store, the first wide-eyed glimpse of that colourful cover and feel of the glossy pages: it's the same the world over for every young fan.

"I've been collecting for 30 years," says Scott Jarratt. "I've been reading them since I was a little kid but the weird thing is, I can't remember how it all started, how I got into it.

"All I remember is going to Copsons newsagents with my pocket money every Saturday and buying Marvel comics. I remember that excitement.

"Back when you're a kid, you don't really care about who's writing it or who the artist is, you just care about the cover – that's what gets your heart beating.

"When I was younger, it was all about The Avengers, Fantastic Four and ROM, which was a really niche comic based on a toy. Back then I was all about Marvel and wouldn't touch DC. These days, I've mellowed and I do read DC: I like Batman, X-Men, Empire of the Dead."

We're speaking to Scott, aged 40 from Wednesfield, in Wolverhampton's Forbidden Planet, aka Mecca. It's two floors of comics, action figures, T-shirts, toys and everyone from seven-year-old Doctor Who fans to Twilight tweens and 60-something Spider-Man veterans.

"Of the 52 weeks of the year, I'd say I was in Forbidden Planet for 50 of them," laughs Scott, the assistant manager at The Works in Wolverhampton. "I'm still buying them obsessively.

"I have thousands at home. I got rid of some and invested in hardbacks – in a bid to look a little bit more like an adult – but you still can't move for comics and memorabilia in my house.

"I appreciate it on a different level now though. You appreciate the stories, the design. There's a recognition for the work of the likes of Jonathan Hickman and Matt Fraction, they have a massive international following. Comics are rock and roll now, look at Way and Ian and Hill.

"You actually read them as an adult, there is more awareness of what's going on on all the different levels. I think my love for comics has influenced me on many different levels – it's helped me get interested in art and produce my own artworks."

And the hitherto geeky image of the comic book collector?

"I think it's changing. Superheroes are cool now – look at the big blockbuster movies these days. There's also lots more female fans and characters and that's great to see. People have this misconception of Captain Sweatpants from Big Bang but it's not like that. Honest!"

And Scott thinks people's love for comic books and superheroes boils down to one all-important factor.

"It's the escapism, isn't it? It's an escape from the day-to-day drudgery of the real world. You can lose yourself in these fantastic worlds and characters.

"This has been a 30-year passion for me, I've gone too far to stop now. These comics mean something to me, they bring back memories. Comic books are my life. That's my main interest, my passion. Everybody has something, whether it's football, soaps or music, my thing is comics. It's the same as someone who has had a season ticket at Wolves for 30 years – it's a passion, a hobby.You meet friends through it, you get your little tribes. I've got some really good friends who I met at comic conventions and we see each other two or three times a year. You keep in touch with people via email or social media – it's a community."

Chris Ball agrees – and this man knows his stuff.

He's the manager of Forbidden Planet and has worked at the cult store for almost two decades.

"Sometimes I feel a bit like a drug pusher," he laughs. "In a good way of course! I'm always going 'try this, try that, you'd like this one' but that's only because I'm passionate about them too. I'm obviously a huge fan. As I kid, I was a Marvel boy. I used to get the UK Spider-Man and Transformers weeklies. I've got people who spend £60 every week on comics, it's seriously big business. That's why the films do so well, there's this existing audience, characters and histories – plus, there's endless opportunities.

"It's the escapism, the stories. It's like people who love films or soaps or shoe shopping: it becomes A Thing. People get that excitement and anticipation when they know their new comic's arrived. I've always had regular customers, the ones who have been coming here for 15 years and they're the ones who can't ever give it up. They've got to keep going. But you do get trends as well, Doctor Who, Walking Dead for example. There's always new blood falling in love with comics."

Fantastical stories, graphics so stunning they belong in a museum and heroes who give us hope: when you think about it, it's easy to see why comic books are so appealing – and growing bigger and better with each passing year. If you're a long-time collector, you'll already know their power.

If you're a new kid on the block, you'll have that bubbling excitement knowing your journey's just beginning.

And if you're ever in doubt, remember these wise words from the original Comic Book Guy: "I've spent my entire life doing nothing but collecting comic books, and now there's only time to say. . . life well spent."

Elizabeth Joyce