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These 4 things are waiting for you at your local comic book store

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Posted Feb 05,2020

Dedicated comic book stores have been around since the late 1960s. And they’ve gone through many changes over the years.
 
The first comic store that I shopped at was called Alcove Hobby in Royal Oak, MI.
Most of the shop was filled with model kits, lead miniatures, radio-controlled cars, and model trains.
But there was a small section in the back dedicated to back issues and new release comic books.
 
As the 1980s continued, I discovered additional shops that were filled with only comic books.
 
And today, you’ll probably find both dedicated comic shops and hybrid stores that feature comics and other stuff.
 
These are four things that you may find at your local comic book store.
 
1.) Comic Books (duh!)
Comic books fall into three different categories:
  • Single issues…usually new releases
  • Back issues, aka older comic books
  • Graphic Novels, aka Trade Paperbacks, aka Collected Editions

New comic books are released every Wednesday. And every week you’ll find upwards of 40-50 different new releases. That’s over 200 titles per month!
 
Marvel Comics and DC Comics are the two largest publishers. But there are dozens of smaller publishers putting out quality comic books in every genre for readers of all ages.
 
Back issues are older comic books. 
In newer stores, their back issues may be the owner’s personal collection that they are selling.
Or, some newer stores don’t carry back issues at all and choose to focus on new comic books because there are so many.
 
Another reason that some stores choose not to carry back issues is that many older stories have been collected in the third type of comic book - The Graphic Novel.
 
Most graphic novels are collections of material that has been previously published as single-issue comic books. And they contain anywhere from 4-24 of these single issues.
The ads have been removed and they’ve been collected in either hardcover or softcover format.
 
There are also original graphic novels or OGNs. 
This material has never been published before and is seeing the light of day for the first time as a graphic novel.
 
Most Young Adult or YA, graphic novels are OGNs. Things like Dog Man and the works of Raina Telgemeier.
 
All of the above are considered comic books.
 
2.) Tabletop Games
Tabletop games are more popular than ever.
The definition also means different things to different people.
For our purposes, I’m going to map out three Tabletop Game categories:
  • Board & Card Games aimed at the general public
  • Board & Card Games aimed at hardcore gamers
  • Role-Playing Games, aka RPGs
My shop, Alter Ego Comics, carries Board and Card Games aimed at the general public.
For us, that means party games and family games that play in less than one hour and are priced under $30.
 
Board and Card Games aimed at hardcore gamers usually take more than one hour to play and are priced over $30. 
 
Finally, Role Playing Games are things like Dungeons & Dragons.


 
Shops that carry RPGs will usually have rule books, miniatures, dice, and other items to enhance the RPG experience.
 
3.) Toys & Statues
Most comic book stores will carry action figures based on comic book characters.
For example, you’ll probably Batman, Spider-Man and Wonder Woman action figures in a comic book store.
Now, these ARE considered “collector figures,” that many fans will keep in the package.
But they’re also suitable for most kids ages 8 and up.
 
Another “toy” that many comic shops offer are Funko POP vinyl figures.
The squatty vinyl characters are very collectible, but also look cool on your desk or shelf.
Funko has grown by leaps in bounds in the last 10 years, making POPs not just based on comic book characters, but movies, sports, cartoons, video game, and TV characters.
 
Finally, there are high-end “toys.”


 
These are statues and 12 or 18-inch figures that run anywhere from $100-$1000 each.
Some of the most popular companies making these collectibles include Hot Toys, DC Collectibles, Mezco and Sideshow Collectibles.
 
4.) Events
Comic book stores fall into the category of “third spaces:” Not home (first space) or work (second space) but social places where people with similar interests gather.
 
Many comic book stores that carry games offer game nights.
Others offer book clubs or movie nights.
 
And there are three comic book related events that most stores participate in:
  • Free Comic Book Day, held every year on the first Saturday in May
  • Halloween ComicFest, held every year on the last Saturday in October
  • Local Comic Shop Day held every in November

 
But there are all kinds of community events that comic book stores offer.
My shop has held ladies nights (aimed at making women feel welcome in comic shops), kids craft days, creator signings, swap meets and concerts.
 
Even something as simple as going to the comic shop every week for new releases can turn into a social activity by talking with fellow fans in the shop about the latest comics or pop culture phenomenon. 
 
One of the best ways to stay up to date on the events that your local comic book store is offering is to follow them on Facebook.
 
You can also sign up for their email newsletter. 
And some shops even have upcoming events boards where events are posted.
 
Every comic book store is unique.
They frequently take on the personality of the owner and staff.
And that makes them special in the retail world.
 
To find your local comic store, visit www.comicshoplocator.com.