![]() The owner, Gabe Fowler, produces the occasional (and free) “Smoke Signal” illustrated publication. That charm carries forth in its mishmash of crafts, curios and vintage Walt Disney comics. Talk about quirky: The storefront still displays the name of Sparacino’s Bakery, the former occupant. Desert Islandĥ40 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg. I picked up a copy of “Why I Hate Saturn” (1990) by Kyle Baker for $1. The outside table of bargains lured me into this small shop, which still has sufficient elbow room to sift through the plethora of back issues from the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. It’s densely packed with the expected - and the unexpected: skateboards! A prominent display, from Boom! Studios, included the series House of Slaughter, a horror comic, of course. Bulletproof ComicsĢ178 Nostrand Avenue, Flatbush .ĭuring the city’s lockdown, this store embraced live online auctions and produced videos that highlighted its wares. The space also has a lower level for card games and drink-and-draw events. I liked the shelf labeled “Leading Comics With Representation” and the original comic art on display, some drawn directly on wall panels. Anyone Comicsġ216 Union Street, Crown Heights .ĭimitrios Fragiskatos, the co-owner of Anyone Comics with Thomas Gryphon, said he’s on a mission to spread a love for comics, viewing other stores as consulates, not competitors. During my visit, an employee recommended some comics starring Dick Grayson, the former boy wonder. This store, which opened its door during the pandemic, is a deep but narrow space, though still wide enough to allow for tabletop game play. (Some fans also plan to buy a few issues to support the stores.) If you are inspired to visit a store in New York - or one around the country using the Comic Shop Locator - please heed this advice: Call ahead to verify hours and whether the store is participating in Free Comic Book Day. All the stores were notable in some way - a healthy supply of vintage comics, bountiful toys, a bevy of recommended reading, from the latest DC to the newest Daniel Clowes - but for specific needs, don’t be shy about asking. And with Free Comic Book Day coming up on Saturday, it seemed like a good time to check in on them. Funny Business no longer exists, but New York City has plenty of other stores. There’s also more stories than ever and a significant female readership too. Since then, with so many comics having been mined by television and film and podcasts and animation, there are multitudes more who understand. We were a tribe: fellow readers and collectors who understood. The store’s customers were predominantly male but a melting pot of ages, shapes and ethnicities. It was there where I began to buy new and back issues of The New Teen Titans, the comic book series that solidified my fandom. It’s name was Funny Business, and it was on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. You never forget your first comic book store, and 40 years ago I found mine.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |