The Bullpen

[David]

Comic book retailers are enjoying the collateral benefits of a bumper crop of big-budget movies featuring superheroes created decades ago by industry giants Marvel Comics and DC Comics.

Ken Pleasant, the owner of Capitol Comics in Raleigh, estimates that sales of titles focusing on characters that recently hit the multiplex or are about to do so - "Thor," "X-Men," "Green Lantern" and "Captain America" - have jumped 20 percent or more. In addition to the comics that have long focused on their exploits, sales have also been boosted by new titles launched to capitalize on the big-screen adaptations as well as collections of back issues printed in book format, commonly called trade paperbacks or graphic novels.

"People go to the movie and want to learn more about the comic itself and whether the movie follows the comics," Pleasant said.

. . .

The number of comics shops in the Triangle has shrunk in recent years along with declining sales.

Tommy King, who owned Tales Resold for more than 25 years, said his decision to close the store was triggered by a rent increase. But in the back of his mind, he was concerned that today's comics are mostly geared to adults rather than youngsters, who are more oriented toward video games.

"I could see the business was going to have a rough time in the future," he said. "If you don't have any new blood in it, there is nobody to replace them."

. . .

Others see a brighter future. Alan Gill, owner of Ultimate Comics in Durham, has expanded his retail space. Last August, he consolidated two of his three stores but in doing so added 600 square feet for merchandise by moving into a bigger space.

Gill said he has plenty of customers who are "young family guys."

"That's the best kind of customer because they are getting their kids into comics," Gill said.

. . .

Brian Willis, 29, an information technology analyst who lives in Youngsville, used to purchase his comics online but made a conscious decision to buy local after Capitol Comics closed one of its stores.

"I actually buy more comics now," Willis said this week while shopping at Capitol Comics' remaining store. "When you see them, you flip through them, it's easier to make that spontaneous purchase."

. . .

Wendy Holler, 34, a technical editor who lives in Cary, said she prefers not to add up how much she spends on the three to four comics she buys every week, plus the occasional trade paperback.

"That's why I don't eat my lunch [out]," she said. "I brown-bag so I can buy comics."

Comic book shops don't rely totally on sales of new comics. In addition to selling action figures and posters, they also sell back issues, including classics that can sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

. . .

Chapel Hill Comics in downtown Chapel Hill has de-emphasized back titles. In fact, unlike most comics shops, its sales aren't dominated by superhero titles.

Roughly two-thirds of the store's comic sales come from graphic novels, and just a small percentage of those titles - 5 percent to 10 percent - fit into the superhero genre, said store owner Andrew Neal.

. . .

Still, movies can have a major impact on his cash register receipts. Movies such as "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," "Sin City," "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" and "Watchmen" - all of which started out as comics - attracted lots of curious customers who wanted to learn more about their origins, he said.

Full article can be found here.

[Vernson]

Karma for sharing, David.   This is great news and perhaps even a trend.

[Jacko]

a newspaper article about a comic shop. did the dodo make an appearance?
the writer had to really stretch to come up with anything postive.

[GLewis]

My LCS increased in size about three years ago and last year they rented another place down the street for nothing but dollar back issues and half off trades.

They seem to have a positive outlook on their future.

[Tim H]

All of these shops mentioned are within an hour of each other and I can name several more within that distance that are not only surviving but thriving.  North Carolina is a comics hotspot.     

[David]

North Carolina is a comics hotspot.     

I'm hoping to hit a couple next time I visit dad.

[Tim H]

I'm hoping to hit a couple next time I visit dad.

I know Dean S. is also from North Carolina and I think a few other people on the boards as well.  Let us know and I'm sure we can direct you to a nice variety.

[David]

Let us know and I'm sure we can direct you to a nice variety.

Sounds like a plan.

[Johnny F.Normal]

I heard about a cool place in Raleigh, that was a record and comic shop...may have been "lunchbox"?
What an awesome combo.

[Tim H]

I heard about a cool place in Raleigh, that was a record and comic shop...may have been "lunchbox"?
What an awesome combo.

Schoolkids Records probably.  I haven't been to the one in Raleigh in years.  Like most music stores, the one here closed years ago.  They also bought/sold used merchandise so there was often times a longbox or two full of comics to peruse. 

[Jon O]

Schoolkid Records was great, I went there all the time when I lived in Raleigh.

[Dean S.]

I know Dean S. is also from North Carolina and I think a few other people on the boards as well.  Let us know and I'm sure we can direct you to a nice variety.

Yep....I don't get over to the Research Triangle for comics too often because we've got pretty good shops in Winston-Salem & Greensboro.  There's also good shops in Charlotte. 

I'd bet that what we're seeing is that the lousy shops have closed due to decreased sales, so the only ones left standing are the stronger ones who have owners who kinda "get it".  And some of them can probably even expand because of the closures of weaker area shops. 

Even though I'm a big cheerleader for digital comics, I'm really glad to see retailers who put so much effort into their shops.  And...really....that's how it should be.  The shops should be places for passionate retailers and fans to gather and do business.  The only shops I have no use for are the ones who managed to stay open only because there were limited alternatives (and I think most of them are already gone).

[bean6344]

Schoolkids Records probably.  I haven't been to the one in Raleigh in years.  Like most music stores, the one here closed years ago.  They also bought/sold used merchandise so there was often times a longbox or two full of comics to peruse. 

There was a Schoolkids in Columbus OH.  I'm not sure if they were related or not.   I will always remember them because I found a copy of The Replacements- I'm in Trouble/If only You Were Lonely 7 inch there.  One of my all time most prized possessions.

Bean

[Tim H]

Even though I'm a big cheerleader for digital comics, I'm really glad to see retailers who put so much effort into their shops.  And...really....that's how it should be.  The shops should be places for passionate retailers and fans to gather and do business.  The only shops I have no use for are the ones who managed to stay open only because there were limited alternatives (and I think most of them are already gone).

Retailers can't just sit behind the counter and wait for the customers to come to them.  They have to get involved and actively try to improve your business. Advertise, network, cultivate an audience with the children of the community.