Ep 3. The Captain and the Clerk

In this episode of Comic Book Men, titled "The Captain and the Clerk", the crew at Kevin Smith's comic book store, Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash, are back to their usual antics as they try to navigate the diverse world of comics and pop culture.

The episode opens with the arrival of Captain Paul, a local legend who dresses up as a superhero character called Captain America and entertains children at events and parties. The team is awestruck as they meet him and they give him a behind-the-scenes tour of the store. They all bond over their shared love of comics and fandom, and Captain Paul even showcases some of his impressive Captain America-themed merchandise.

But things take a turn when Walt, the store's manager, discovers a rare comic book titled "Batman #1" on eBay. The team scrambles to come up with the money to purchase the priceless comic before it's too late. At the same time, a woman named Lauren comes into the store to sell her collection of comic books. Ming, one of the store employees, tries to negotiate a fair deal for her comics, but tensions mount as they haggle over prices.

While all of this is happening, the store's clerk, Mike, tries to sell a replica of the TARDIS from the popular TV show Doctor Who and hilariously tries to convince a few customers to buy it. The banter between Mike and the customers is one of the highlights of the episode, and it's clear that the team at Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash are experts at weaving entertainment into the world of comics.

As the episode progresses, the team continues to try to obtain the coveted "Batman #1" comic book, but they hit a snag when they realize that they don't have enough money to buy it outright. So, they get creative and come up with a plan to raise the funds they need. Kevin Smith himself even makes an appearance, and the gang enlists him to help stage a fundraiser in the form of a Captain America auction in honor of Captain Paul.

As the auction rolls around, it's clear that the team's efforts have paid off, as they're able to bid enough to secure the coveted "Batman #1" comic. The episode ends with the team celebrating their successful purchase, and Captain Paul making a touching speech to his admiring fans.

Overall, "The Captain and the Clerk" is an entertaining and heartwarming episode that showcases the camaraderie and passion of the team at Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash. Fans of comics and pop culture will enjoy the cast's humorous banter, as well as the chance to see rare and coveted comic books up close.