A Comic Store Empire of Fun

Strange Adventures, credit: Nathan Boone

Calum Johnston owns three Strange Adventures comic book stores in Canada's Maritimes that span over 275 miles. Find out what he's learned on his retail journey over at icv2.

Jim McLauchlin

12 Things You (probably) Didn't Know About Stan Lee

Stan Lee, courtesy Stan Lee/POW! Entertainment

I was lucky enough to spend the better part of two decades having lunch with Stan Lee every month or so. In that time, I learned his favorite lunch, his second-favorite lunch, his thoughts on God, and his favorite line from the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. You can learn all this, too, by reading the Wired article.

Jim McLauchlin

Job Four, Comic Store

Tim Finn, photo courtesy Hub Comics

Tim Finn already had three jobs. But when the owner of his local comic store passed away, he took on job 4, and bought Hub Comics. Now, seven years later, you can learn what he's learned over at icv2.

Jim McLauchlin

Ed Greenberg, from Belarus to two USA stores

Ed Greenberg (with thumbs up) at Collector's Paradise

Ed Greenberg is a great American story. He immigrated from Belarus at age 17, and got jobs in technology and education. Then the entrepreneurial spirit hit him, and he opened a comic store. Now, 24 years later, he's going strong with two stores. Read all about what he's learned at icv2.

Jim McLauchlin

Business Booms at Comics Conspiracy

Ryan Higgins of Comics Conspiracy

Ryan Higgins started working in comic stores at age 12, and bought his first store at age 27. Now, at age 39, he's seen a lot as his store, Comics Conspiracy, is gong through a boom cycle. See what's he's learned here at icv2.

Jim McLauchlin

Does Comics Have an Inferiority Complex?

Chart courtesy icv2.com and comichron.com

Comic publishing—the publishing alone, to say nothing of merchandising and other media—is a billion-dollar-a-year industry. And your grandma knows who Thanos is.

You'd think these would be great times for comic fans, but some see nothing but gloom. So we ask the question: Does comics have an inferiority complex? Spoiler alert: Probably, but it shouldn't. Read ALL about it over at Wired.

Jim McLauchlin

Convention Changes: Lower Prices, Street Closures

Getting around at San Diego Comic-Con, 2018

The comic convention business is hyper-competitive, and getting BIGGER. In the wake of competition, some cons are offering lower ticket prices. And some of the biggest cons are getting Super Bowl-like traffic closures. Find out what today's landscape is over at Newsarama.

Jim McLauchlin