My Comic Shop History

I watched “My Comic Shop Documentary” on YouTube and instantly fell in love with the store, owner, employees, customers, and community. I looked up the store and my heart sunk when I realized it had closed nearly a decade ago. It hit me like a ton of bricks that I would never be able to experience Alternate Realities, so I binged this podcast to listen to Anthony go through the same thing. It also inspired me to try and make more of a connection with my local comic shop. I see a lot of myself in Anthony. The one person in the friend group who longs for the past yet knows it’s behind him. I’ve gone thru this same thing with High School Graduation. The hope in the beginning, then life takes over and everyone drifts apart. And SKO is definitely like a great school teacher, someone who makes an indelible mark on people’s lives and yet gets little recognition. He’s lucky to have someone like Anthony create an entire podcast dedicated to a business he ran. I will always remember this podcast because of the emotions it was able to pull out of me.

I am so glad that this podcast was made. I think it was great how the episode chronical the shop and everyone involved. I am so sad that there will be no more episodes since I had looked forward to having at least one new episode per year around the holidays as an update on how everyone is doing. I will especially miss hearing about Jay Miesel and had hoped that he was in good enough condition to do a few more appearances but sadly jay passed away feb 2024. I wish more of his history with comics had been chronicled. I am glad to hear that it was related to Jay that people did care about him and were asking about him and glad to hear he appreciated the inquiries. I fear with the passing of people like jay that we are coming to the end of an era that we may never see again in our lifetimes.

I’ve been with this podcast since the very beginning and absolutely love the deep conversations on the often less discussed business side of comics. Anthony finds a way to reinvent the show every season, making this a can’t miss podcast!

Anthony is a great interviewer and moves the show along wonderfully. I would love to hear a bit more how the shop owners utilize net profits against pulling a salary/reinvesting in inventory. Always a great selection of guests and shop owners. The only episode I couldn’t stand was the couple from Delaware. The lady’s liberal lunacy vibrates through the whole episode podcast. It was truly nauseating. The husband detesting people who haggle was also a trip. They are meant for each other. Wonder who they voted for? #MAGA! On a lighter note, I stop by the Spiders Web ever other month as work brings me past it. Having heard both shows w its owner I am looking forward to my next visit. I actually feel compelled to spend some cash now and help the cause rather than doing a one off window shop.