Mike's Comic Shop Roadshow Mike Atchison

Join Mike as he takes a short trip to St. Louis, MO and one of the coolest shops around!

Mike got a hot tip from Campus Comics Cast co-host, Shaad, about a hip comic shop practically in our backyard. That shop is Apotheosis Comics and Lounge, and if you thought going to comic shops couldn’t get better, wait until you go to one with a bar serving your favorite beer or seltzer!

Apotheosis Comics and Lounge is in the heart of St. Louis on South Grand Blvd., a beautiful and historic part of the city. It’s locally owned and has a wide selection of current comic books, trade paperbacks and graphic novels, not to mention a great selection of local beers, cocktails and wines along with coffee and soda. And if you feel like it, you can have a pickup game of darts or come to one of their frequent comedy shows and game nights.

The owner, Martin, is a busy guy...he’s not only a successful business owner, he’s heavily involved in the community, and still has time to be a comics fan! Martin has a gift of gab that made interviewing him an absolute pleasure. You are going to love the story he tells about...but wait...let’s not spoil it. Let’s just say it was worthy of being featured on a podcast called Dumbest Criminals.

The next time you’re in the Gateway City, take a trip to 3206 South Grand Boulevard and treat yourself to some comics and a refreshment at St. Louis' Friendly Neighborhood Comic Book Shop, Apotheosis Comics and Lounge!

Then join Mike and his Campus Comic Cast collaborators, Scott and Shaad, as they review OGN Cosmic Detective, by Jeff Lemire, Matt Kindt, and David Rubin.

Apotheosis Comics and Lounge is at 3206 South Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, (314) 802-7090, online at https://shopapotheosis.com/, and on social media at https://www.facebook.com/ApotheosisComicsSTL/, Instagram.com/apotheosiscomics/, @ASTLComics on X. The email address is hello@apotheosiscomicsstl.com.

Thanks to Martin at Apotheosis Comics and Lounge for sharing his time with me and the great recommendation (not to mention the great stories)!

The third month of the year is named after the Roman God of War Mars, so join Mike as he leans into the month by marching himself down to the Gulf Coast.

Join Mike as he ventures south to Sweet Home Alabama for a family vacation and of course, a trip to a local comic shop in Foley, AL!

Serendipity abounded as it turned out Mike’s co-host Scott on the Campus Comics Cast was also on his own family vacation in Gulf Shores, so he joined Mike for the interview at Covert Comics and Collectibles. In fact, this shop was Scott’s suggestion because he has been going to Covert Comics for years when he comes here for vacation.

Covert Comics and Collectibles is right on the main drag in Foley, and despite its name, it’s easy to find. It has so much to offer...new and old comic books, Sports Cards and Memorabilia, Trading Cards, Statues, Video Games, DandD, Vinyl Records, Funko Pops, and Vintage Toys. And with 5000 square feet of space, it’s very roomy and fun to explore.

The owner, Jason, had a level of enthusiasm that was palpable. He and his staff are super-friendly! This history of Covert Comics is very interesting so buckle down for a great ride! And the next time you take trip to Gulf Shores, AL, skip a couple of hours at the beach and treat yourself to this fantastic comic shop, Covert Comics and Collectibles!

Then join Mike and fellow comics fan, and podcaster, Paul Hix, as they review the trade collection of Wolverine Vol. 3 issues 66-72 plus Wolverine: Old Man Logan Giant-Size 1. Paul is 50% of the genius behind the Waiting for Doom podcast and several other shows. This is an 8 part story with the original issues coming out in 2008 and 2009. It was written by Mark Millar, with pencils by Steve McNiven, and inks by Dexter Vines, Mark Morales, and Jay Leisten.

You can find Covert Comics and Collectibles at 107 South McKenzie St., Foley, AL 36535, (251)377-9690, online at covertcomics.com, and on social media at https://www.facebook.com/covertcomicsfoley, and email at jason@foleycomics.com.

Thanks to Paul for his help in reviewing Old Man Logan. Find Mr. Paul Hix and his various podcasts along with Mike Garvey, at https://www.waitingfordoom.com/ and anywhere you get your podcasts. It’s one of the best and funniest comic podcasts out there! You can also send him an email at waitingfordoom@gmail.com and find Waiting for Doom on Facebook, X, and other social media sites.

Thanks to Jason at Covert comics and Collectibles for sharing his time with us and to Scott for teaming up with me on the interview.

Did you know the Squadron Supreme is Marvel's take on the Justice League and Skymax (aka Sk'ym'x) is Marvel's Martian Manhunter?

Join Mike as he makes a stop in the great state of Texas at a comic shop appropriately named Star Comics in Lubbock, TX. Star Comics is Lubbock's OG comic shop, having opened in 1977.

The owner Robert Mora is a very insightful comic shop owner with a keen business sense that is balanced with his passion for comics.

Listen to this episode and learn more about one of Star Comics’ claims to fame. A little hint...it has to do with the inimitable Alex Ross himself! Robert showed Mike a really cool surprise that you will hear about in the interview, so tune in!

Next time you find yourself in west Texas, do yourself a favor and visit Star Comics. You will be glad you did!

Enjoy the interview with Robert and then join Mike and fellow comics fan, blogger extraordinaire, and overall bronze age comics expert, Russell Burbage, as they review the collection of Squadron Supreme maxiseries from 1985/86, written by Mark Gruenwald, and art by Bob Hall, Paul Ryan, and others.

A big thanks to Robert telling his great story!

You can find Star Comics at 3504 34th St, Lubbock, TX 79410, (806) 744-0727, online at https://www.starcomicsonline.com/ and on social media at https://www.facebook.com/starcomicsonline/, and email at mystarcomics@gmail.com.

Find Russell Burbage on his Seigi No Nakama blogspot at https://seiginonakama.blogspot.com/, which is Japanese for "Friends of Justice”, where he covers lots of Bronze Age goodness.

Thanks to Russell for his help in reviewing Squadron Supreme.

Did you know that Bruno Mars graduated from Roosevelt High school in Honolulu?

Join Mike as he stops in at a comic shop in the heart of Honolulu called Other Realms. It’s a spectacular family run comic shop and is owned and operated by Charles and Loretta Whitesell. This is a thriving business that employs over a dozen full and part time staff and has been in business for 35 years.

Loretta and Charles’ tandem approach of hobbyist enthusiasm and great business sense was magic to behold. Possibly the busiest comic shop I have ever been to, the place was buzzing with customers, gamers and staff helping at every turn. It’s the kind of comic shop to hang out at all day!

If you are ever on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, do yourself a favor and visit Other Realms. You won’t regret it!

Enjoy the interview with Loretta and Charles and then join Mike and longtime friend and founding member of the Campus Comics Cast, Matt Martin, as they review volume 1 of Seven to Eternity as recommended by Charles (with an assist from comics manager Eric)!

A big thanks to Charles and Loretta telling their great story!

You can find Other Realms at 1130 N Nimitz Hwy C-140, Honolulu, HI 96817, (808) 596-8236, online at https://other-realms.com/, and on social media at https://www.facebook.com/OtherRealmsLtd/, https://www.instagram.com/otherrealmsltd/.

Find Matt @wookieecopilot on just about all of the social media platforms you can find.

Many thanks to Matt for his help in reviewing Seven to Eternity!

HI-SEAS (The Hawai‘i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation) is an analog space research station on an isolated Mars and Moon-like site on the Mauna Loa volcano on the Big Island of Hawai‘i at approximately 8200 feet above sea level. And on this episode of the Road Show, Mike is nearby on the island of Oahu at 808 Collectibles.

This comic shop is small but has huge heart, and the owner Art is a super guy. Plus, he has a very interesting story of how he got started.

Meeting Art was a great experience, and his story is inspiring. Be sure to stop in at 808 Collectibles the next time you visit Hawaii and experience it for yourself!

Enjoy the interview with Art and then join Mike and his co-host, Shag Matthews of Fire and Water Podcast Network fame, as they discuss Art’s recommendation: Black Knight: Curse of the Ebony Blade!

A big thanks to Art for letting me hang out with him!

You can find 808 Collectibles at 945 Kamehameha Hwy # 10, Pearl City, HI 96782, (808) 230-5980.

Explore the multitude of podcasts by Shag Matthews at http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/. Follow Fire and Water on X @FWPodcasts and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FWPodcastNetwork.

A big thanks to Shag for joining in on the fun!

For the Mars Perserverance Rover landing, researchers studied salt crystals in the Utah's Great Salt Lake for a method to detect ancient microbial life. And speaking of Utah, Mike visits Dr Volt's Comic Connection for episode 11 of the Roadshow.

On this episode, join Mike as he returns to his home away from home, Salt Lake City. Dr. Volt’s Comic Connection was his hometown comic shop and Saturday hangout for 3 great years.

Despite being under new ownership, the welcoming spirit of Dr. Volt’s is as strong as ever. Jeff is the manager, and he has done some great things with the shop. It’s open, airy and nicely lit, and just chock full of awesome stuff.

As the oldest comic shop in Utah, it’s been supplying collectors with comics, toys and games for over 30 years!

Catching up with Jeff was a blast, and that sentiment will hopefully show through when you listen to the interview. Be sure to stop in at Dr. Volt’s next time you visit Salt Lake City!

So please listen to the interview with Jeff and then join Mike and the dynamic duo of Professor Alan and Em Middleton, of Relatively Geeky Network fame, as they they passionately discuss Jeff’s equally passionate recommendation, Hellblazer, issues 41-46, Dangerous Habits!

A big thanks to Jeff for letting me hang out with him!

You can find Dr. Volt's Comic Connection at 2043 E 3300 S, Millcreek, UT 84109, (801) 485-6114 and drvolts@gmail.com. The official website is https://drvolts.com/ and you can follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DrVoltsComics.

Explore the multitude of podcasts by Prof. Alan and Em Middleton at http://relativelygeekypodcast.blogspot.com/ and http://dorknesstolight.blogspot.com/. Follow them at https://www.facebook.com/relativelygeeky/ on Facebook and @Relatively_Geek on X. And please drop them a line at relativelygeeky@gmail.com to tell them how much you enjoyed their conversation.

Big thanks to Prof. Alan and Em for joining me!