A reader gives thanks for 'Batman: The Animated Series'

Jacque Woods | Guest blogger for Pop Candy

Note: This entry, penned by Denver-based Pop Candy reader Jacque Woods, is part of a series about the pop culture we're thankful to have in our lives. Readers are encouraged to contribute their own stories.

Twenty-one years ago I met the love of my life and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. It was only after we were married that I found out my husband was a secret comic book fan. Though I never discouraged him from collecting, he had decided that, now that he was married, he was going to "grow up" and give up comics.

At the time, my arthritis wasn't controlled and I was bedridden, which was hard for someone in their early twenties and newly married. To try and make it through the day, I would watch cartoons, and I fell in love with Batman: The Animated Series. I watched the show constantly, and, besides my husband, it was one of the few things that would help me cope with the pain.

One day my husband couldn't take his withdrawal anymore and wanted to go to the local comics shop. I was feeling a little better, so I decided to go with him. Once in the shop, I was amazed at all the different books and spotted a comic for Batman: TAS on the shelf with my favorite character, Harley Quinn, on the cover. The floodgates opened, and I've been an avid comic reader ever since.

Due to our love of comics, my husband and I have gotten to do many things we otherwise probably would have done. We've also met many wonderful people and have shared comics and our appreciation for them. Though I still have my bad days where I don't think I can handle the pain and problems that come with my disease, comics and comic-related things have been there to cheer me up and help me make it through.

I love my husband dearly, and every day I am thankful for him and that day when he decided that he wasn't going to grow up but instead share his love of comics with me.

Previously:

- A reader gives thanks for ... Harry Potter

- A reader gives thanks for ... The Big Lebowski

- A reader gives thanks for ... Degrassi

- A reader gives thanks for ... The Simpsons

- A reader gives thanks for ... Love Is a Mix Tape

- A reader gives thanks for ... Wait Until Dark

- A reader gives thanks for ... Ray Bradbury

- Whitney gives thanks for ... Seinfeld

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