I have a theory on how to save the comic industry…
Okay, maybe save it is a strong term. How about help find those elusive ‘new’ customers that everyone wants to find... that’s a more reasonable expectation level for my idea. Anyway, about 8 months ago I ended up with a lot more free time than I was used to and found myself accompanying my wife on her frequent trips to Borders. More specifically the coffee shop in the bookstore where on any given hour you will find a large number of people sipping java and reading. And I noticed that a lot of those people were reading graphic novels. Now before you try jumping a head of me here… I’m not suggesting that comic shops buy themselves a espresso machine and two comfy chairs.
From there I would wander over to the graphic novel/manga section and find it difficult to actually get to the shelves because of children from age 7 to 14 sitting in the isles reading the books. Mainly manga, but some more mainstream titles. When I do get over to the titles, I dig through to find something I haven’t read… V for Vendetta, Gotham Central, 1602… and take it back to my table, get myself a pot of Earl Grey and read. Soon this lead to me sitting there with my laptop writing scripts and doing most of my work; I got on a first name basis with most of the employees.
I also ended up switching comic stores twice this year. My original store shut down then I went to one for a while but finally ended up at a store where a friend works. I still drive 25 miles to get there and grab my books and leave because it’s crowded as hell on Wednesday evening. Now as a comic collector, I love hanging out at the comic shop but most shops now a days just don’t have the space to hang out… especially on new comic day. There really isn’t a reason to go to the shop more than once a week at most.
So… my theory or idea is to create a new type of comic store; a SUPER comic store. Make it like a Borders but more focused on comics/manga/sci-fi. But it needs to be more than just one store. A new chain of stores with a ‘Seattle’s Best’ or ‘Coffee Bean and Tea Bag’ with comfy chairs and tables. Maybe a wireless network set up and plus for people to hook up their laptops. Now the key is to focus on trades and graphic novels with only a small monthly comic supply but no back issues more than six months old.
The idea is to make a place to go more than on new comic day. A place where you can read, hang out, maybe play Vs or Heroclicks. A place where you can read Watchmen, drink a mocha with whipped-cream and not worry about standing in front of a book someone wants. A place that ‘looks’ friendly and inviting to the new customer when the wander in, not a long skinny shop where everything is in plastic bags and the guy behind the counter is reading the latest Wizard with Jessica Alba in a swimsuit on the cover.
A side effect of this type of store, being a chain of stores, would be the advantage of ordering in bulk… and perhaps directly from the publishers instead of through Diamond. A chance to give small publishers shelf space in a high profile location.
Now… we just need to find someone with enough money to start a chain of stores… email me if you have a huge wad of cash.
Okay, maybe save it is a strong term. How about help find those elusive ‘new’ customers that everyone wants to find... that’s a more reasonable expectation level for my idea. Anyway, about 8 months ago I ended up with a lot more free time than I was used to and found myself accompanying my wife on her frequent trips to Borders. More specifically the coffee shop in the bookstore where on any given hour you will find a large number of people sipping java and reading. And I noticed that a lot of those people were reading graphic novels. Now before you try jumping a head of me here… I’m not suggesting that comic shops buy themselves a espresso machine and two comfy chairs.
From there I would wander over to the graphic novel/manga section and find it difficult to actually get to the shelves because of children from age 7 to 14 sitting in the isles reading the books. Mainly manga, but some more mainstream titles. When I do get over to the titles, I dig through to find something I haven’t read… V for Vendetta, Gotham Central, 1602… and take it back to my table, get myself a pot of Earl Grey and read. Soon this lead to me sitting there with my laptop writing scripts and doing most of my work; I got on a first name basis with most of the employees.
I also ended up switching comic stores twice this year. My original store shut down then I went to one for a while but finally ended up at a store where a friend works. I still drive 25 miles to get there and grab my books and leave because it’s crowded as hell on Wednesday evening. Now as a comic collector, I love hanging out at the comic shop but most shops now a days just don’t have the space to hang out… especially on new comic day. There really isn’t a reason to go to the shop more than once a week at most.
So… my theory or idea is to create a new type of comic store; a SUPER comic store. Make it like a Borders but more focused on comics/manga/sci-fi. But it needs to be more than just one store. A new chain of stores with a ‘Seattle’s Best’ or ‘Coffee Bean and Tea Bag’ with comfy chairs and tables. Maybe a wireless network set up and plus for people to hook up their laptops. Now the key is to focus on trades and graphic novels with only a small monthly comic supply but no back issues more than six months old.
The idea is to make a place to go more than on new comic day. A place where you can read, hang out, maybe play Vs or Heroclicks. A place where you can read Watchmen, drink a mocha with whipped-cream and not worry about standing in front of a book someone wants. A place that ‘looks’ friendly and inviting to the new customer when the wander in, not a long skinny shop where everything is in plastic bags and the guy behind the counter is reading the latest Wizard with Jessica Alba in a swimsuit on the cover.
A side effect of this type of store, being a chain of stores, would be the advantage of ordering in bulk… and perhaps directly from the publishers instead of through Diamond. A chance to give small publishers shelf space in a high profile location.
Now… we just need to find someone with enough money to start a chain of stores… email me if you have a huge wad of cash.
1 Comments:
I know this is a really old post but try stopping by the Comic Vault if still live in Chicago. I don't think Jessica Alba is a on the cover of Wizard and time soon. Plus we prefer Geek Monthly.
Right next to the Comic Vault is Ranalli's (BYOB) and people go over there to read their books and there is wi-fi also.
Take care,
Matt
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