The store I go to, Dr Nos, has a huge game area sort of a step down from the comic place. There is still merchandise lining the walls, but its board games and stuff so it's not really things you would sit down and read. Plus the tables are usually in use.
I feel like a comic store with no seating would feel less friendly, which is a big factor in a customer's mind. I don't think many comic/game/nerdy fans want to just run in and run out, almost every single person seems like they want to talk about their purchases, movies, etc. The friendlier a place feels, the more money I'll pour into it, even if the selection is as little slow or late.
you can still stand around and talk at Strange Adventures, and the staff is good about making recommendations and so on, but those are the sorts of conversations you typically have standing up, next to the shelves of comics you are talking about - sitting in chairs and talking is more for longer, in-depth conversations with your friends which is fine if you and your friends are decent people, but less fine if you're awful. Those conversations can also take place literally anywhere else. The idea of having the comic shop as a fun place to hang out is great in theory, but hard to keep from turning toxic in practice, and that's a big risk for a new store that has no idea what sort of regulars they're going to get. You're also likely to get people that have been kicked out of other stores in the area, and people hoping to "claim" the new store as their hangout. You do not want these people hanging out in your store.
Fear, is Strange Adventures purely a comics shop?
Cause I think that's pretty different than also being a games shop
Also in most smaller cities/towns seems way harder to pull off
Fair point, it is probably 90% comics, but I think the atmosphere is a big part of how it's been able to own that particular niche. We're not exactly a big city, and the shop itself is tiny.
Yeah not to say this is impossible but in my area I've never seen one survive, but plenty of combo games/comics shops
UnbrokenEvaHIGH ON THE WIREBUT I WON'T TRIP ITRegistered Userregular
edited April 2014
I haven't been to any of them in ages, but of the other 3 stores in the area I can think of, Giant Robot sets up a table for MTG events, but is too small to otherwise, Monster Comic Lounge has a table in the middle of the store, but they have a massive location to work with. The only time I've been by and the table was in use, it was the owner's friends playing boardgames. No idea how it effects the store atmosphere day-to-day, and Quantum Frontier is 1/2 to 2/3s board games, card games, and collectibles, with only one wall of shelves for comics, and they've never had a table set up when I was in there (though they certainly have room to, it's probably the least crowded and best laid out if the bunch.) I wouldn't be at all surprised if they set one up for special events though.
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MaddocI'm Bobbin Threadbare, are you my mother?Registered Userregular
I have seen comic/gaming stores survive, I have seen gaming shops without comics survive and thrive even.
Comic shops that don't do any of that seem way less prevalent, and I have to imagine that is for a reason.
ugh secret Asgardian sibling was already bad when they did it as Odin's brother
Odin's brother sucked because he was incredibly generic and eeeeevil
Jason Aaron and Al Ewing pulling a new sister to Loki and Thor from whatever mistranslated eddas text they cut up into pieces and stuffed in a hat sounds much better
Yeah. Im in the absolute earliest stages of thinking and planning, because I never wanted to put the cart before the horse. But now that I'm actively trying to make this a reality, I know I need to hammer down those details that I never really gave much thought to, because I was scared.
My girlfriend is super supportive of this idea, and when we've talked about it we talk about a comics/games shop with more of a coffehouse vibe. I have no idea how feasible that is and we've never done more than say "Wouldn't that be cool?", so we will have to give it some serious thought now. Maybe even sell snacks and stuff, during games nights.
I've found 2 local comics shops since moving to this area. One was absolutely a "dungeon" basement, with just longboxes everywhere. It had some soft core porn, literally, behind the counter and my girlfriend felt very very uncomfortable with me there. The other shop (Local Heroes, in Norfolk, VA) is fantastic, and was kind of the inspiration I needed to really start to think about putting it together. They're very small, and mostly sell TPB's and the current months issues. No backissues at all, and very, very few games. But a super classy place that is just very comfortable to go in and browse.
So I want something like that, but with games on top. I think it's time to sketch out a real plan, a real goal and then keep pushing forward into what it would take, financially.
Thanks again for the awesome discussion, all. It's kept me thinking positive and upbeat in an otherwise very down time when it comes to how I may make a living the rest of my life. Much appreciated.
PSN: mxmarks - WiiU: mxmarks - twitter: @ MikesPS4 - twitch.tv/mxmarks - "Yes, mxmarks is the King of Queens" - Unbreakable Vow
UnbrokenEvaHIGH ON THE WIREBUT I WON'T TRIP ITRegistered Userregular
While I would love to someday have a shop like that, and have dreamed of it in the past, I know it's probably never going to happen, especially with the market so well-served here. I'd be happy to live vicariously through you and provide any advice/suggestions I can, though
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WeaverWho are you?What do you want?Registered Userregular
related to small business stuff
seeing as how so many people use coffee shops as offices, I wonder why I've never seen a copy shop that also offers some basic print services
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WeaverWho are you?What do you want?Registered Userregular
related to small business stuff
seeing as how so many people use coffee shops as offices, I wonder why I've never seen a copy shop that also offers some basic print services
I've never seen a comic/gaming shop over here, probably down to lack of space maybe.
Although the big chain Forbidden Planet has an entire floor selling various action figure ranges and assorted geek paraphernalia so I dunno
Gaming stores are always pretty distinct though
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PSN- AHermano
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UnbrokenEvaHIGH ON THE WIREBUT I WON'T TRIP ITRegistered Userregular
I'd say you need some back issues though, to allow for people who want to start following a new series to get caught up. I'd try to have any issues not included in the latest trades when possible, with the number of back copies based on the number of sales/subs for that title. You can always bundle together and sell unsold copies when the next trade comes out, or give them away in promotions to get people hooked. free comic book day is great for this.
Going back to first page, but wouldn't Thanos being cast be a known factor?
They revealed a couple weeks ago that he is in GOTG after all, right?
Anyway a middle-aged coworker of mine saw Captain America the other night with his eight year old daughter and now apparently they both want to know all about Rocket and Groot
Thanos will probably be CG, and if he evens talks, they can sit on that info for awhile as a surprise.
I'd say you need some back issues though, to allow for people who want to start following a new series to get caught up. I'd try to have any issues not included in the latest trades when possible, with the number of back copies based on the number of sales/subs for that title. You can always bundle together and sell unsold copies when the next trade comes out, or give them away in promotions to get people hooked. free comic book day is great for this.
This is such an amazing idea it needs to be stated again. The one downside is it can be costly, but it's a great way to get people hooked on following titles or into the current "it" characters (Like Guardians or the Winter Soldier)
"Go down, kick ass, and set yourselves up as gods, that's our Prime Directive!"
Hail Hydra
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David_TA fashion yes-man is no good to me.Copenhagen, DenmarkRegistered Userregular
Just know that liquids and product that is priced depending on it's flawlessness, can be a dangerous combination
I'd have to imagine that such a thing would only work if there was a clear delineation of comic and coffee shop. You can browse one place but only purchased comics go in the other.
Original Sin is shaping up to be the perfect HEY YOU LIKE THE MCU? READ THIS EVENT event without even feeling like it is all shoe-horned.
The main cast is: Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Ant-Man, Dr. Strange, The Punisher, Emma Frost, Black Panther, Gamora, Winter Soldier, Moon Knight, The Thing and Nick Fury.
There are two, so far, huge psuedo-miniseries tie-ins, one featuring Hulk and Iron Man and the other Thor and Loki
Oh and in regards to that Avengers panel from earlier
I'm pretty sure that's the banner from the evil avengers universe, who was lobotomized and controlled against his will. He snuck off to one of 616 banners hiding spots, who proceeded to not trust him, knock him out, and get involved in a battle between the good and evil Avengers long enough for AIM to mistake him for the bad Hulk and kidnap him with the other bad Avengers.
So that explains why he's a dick. And possibly why he sucks at constructing insults as well.
Going back to first page, but wouldn't Thanos being cast be a known factor?
They revealed a couple weeks ago that he is in GOTG after all, right?
Anyway a middle-aged coworker of mine saw Captain America the other night with his eight year old daughter and now apparently they both want to know all about Rocket and Groot
Thanos will probably be CG, and if he evens talks, they can sit on that info for awhile as a surprise.
Wait, why does he need to be cg? Poitier looked excellent!
Going back to first page, but wouldn't Thanos being cast be a known factor?
They revealed a couple weeks ago that he is in GOTG after all, right?
Anyway a middle-aged coworker of mine saw Captain America the other night with his eight year old daughter and now apparently they both want to know all about Rocket and Groot
Thanos will probably be CG, and if he evens talks, they can sit on that info for awhile as a surprise.
Wait, why does he need to be cg? Poitier looked excellent!
Because Thanos is gigantic and will be seen in more than just a quick shot
We changed, frankly some of the MCU to accommodate this version of Ant-Man. Knowing what we wanted to do with Edgar and with Ant-Man, going years and years back, helped to dictate what we did with the roster for Avengers the first time. It was a bit of both in terms of his idea for the Ant-Man story influencing the birth of the MCU in the early films leading up to Avengers.
Going back to first page, but wouldn't Thanos being cast be a known factor?
They revealed a couple weeks ago that he is in GOTG after all, right?
Anyway a middle-aged coworker of mine saw Captain America the other night with his eight year old daughter and now apparently they both want to know all about Rocket and Groot
Thanos will probably be CG, and if he evens talks, they can sit on that info for awhile as a surprise.
Wait, why does he need to be cg? Poitier looked excellent!
Because Thanos is gigantic and will be seen in more than just a quick shot
You know Ian Holmes and Martin Freeman aren't hobbit sized in real life right?
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GreasyKidsStuffMOMMM!ROAST BEEF WANTS TO KISS GIRLS ON THE TITTIES!Registered Userregular
Went to pick up Ghost Rider #2 and Captain Marvel #2 today, and ended up picking up Moon Knight #1 at the same time. I guess Moon Knight #2 is already out, though? I didn't see it at either store I went to, so I might need to look further. Capt. Marvel is on the way from another store that had a copy (I guess my store has a second printing coming in a few weeks).
I need to ask if the store does pull lists, though, because here I am already potentially an issue behind because I'm out of the loop with release dates. Is there a way to get this stuff e-mailed to me so I know what's coming up?
Basically I am a newborn fawn in the comics world and I need some help.
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GreasyKidsStuffMOMMM!ROAST BEEF WANTS TO KISS GIRLS ON THE TITTIES!Registered Userregular
That said, Ghost Rider and Moon Knight were both awesome and already I'm eyeing Spider-Man as the next thing to pick up... aye carumba...
Went to pick up Ghost Rider #2 and Captain Marvel #2 today, and ended up picking up Moon Knight #1 at the same time. I guess Moon Knight #2 is already out, though? I didn't see it at either store I went to, so I might need to look further. Capt. Marvel is on the way from another store that had a copy (I guess my store has a second printing coming in a few weeks).
I need to ask if the store does pull lists, though, because here I am already potentially an issue behind because I'm out of the loop with release dates. Is there a way to get this stuff e-mailed to me so I know what's coming up?
Basically I am a newborn fawn in the comics world and I need some help.
Every Tuesday there's a big list of everything that's coming out that week, posted in the graphic violence sub-forum. Graphic violence is also a good place to go if you're a new comics reader. http://forums.penny-arcade.com/categories/graphic-violence
I've never seen a comic/gaming shop over here, probably down to lack of space maybe.
Although the big chain Forbidden Planet has an entire floor selling various action figure ranges and assorted geek paraphernalia so I dunno
Gaming stores are always pretty distinct though
There're two off of Picadilly Gardens!
Although one is more of just a comic shop which sells games I guess, and is also something of a chain I think, although it tends to be nicer than forbidden planet.
Fanboy 3 is more of a gaming store, with tables and tournaments and such, and with all the less-than-pleasant clientele which somes with that.
I've never seen a comic/gaming shop over here, probably down to lack of space maybe.
Although the big chain Forbidden Planet has an entire floor selling various action figure ranges and assorted geek paraphernalia so I dunno
Gaming stores are always pretty distinct though
There're two off of Picadilly Gardens!
Although one is more of just a comic shop which sells games I guess, and is also something of a chain I think, although it tends to be nicer than forbidden planet.
Fanboy 3 is more of a gaming store, with tables and tournaments and such, and with all the less-than-pleasant clientele which somes with that.
Ha yeah I've just realised Travelling man does sell games I guess I just ignore that part
I was in there today too, christ what am I talking about
So the Sentry book was pretty good. I'll repeat my earlier sentiments that it must have been SUPER awesome to read it as it came out, without knowing where it's going. Gonna read Tales of the Sentry next.
Eh, it was alright. It kind of one-noted the Hulk, when that character had been many, MANY different things over the years, and tied his ability to be anything more than a misunderstood monster to his proximity to the Sentry, which is basically denigrating the Hulk's character to prop up the Sentry's, IMO.
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Yeah not to say this is impossible but in my area I've never seen one survive, but plenty of combo games/comics shops
Based on a quick search, I think her name could be either Hnoss or Gersemi.
Comic shops that don't do any of that seem way less prevalent, and I have to imagine that is for a reason.
My girlfriend is super supportive of this idea, and when we've talked about it we talk about a comics/games shop with more of a coffehouse vibe. I have no idea how feasible that is and we've never done more than say "Wouldn't that be cool?", so we will have to give it some serious thought now. Maybe even sell snacks and stuff, during games nights.
I've found 2 local comics shops since moving to this area. One was absolutely a "dungeon" basement, with just longboxes everywhere. It had some soft core porn, literally, behind the counter and my girlfriend felt very very uncomfortable with me there. The other shop (Local Heroes, in Norfolk, VA) is fantastic, and was kind of the inspiration I needed to really start to think about putting it together. They're very small, and mostly sell TPB's and the current months issues. No backissues at all, and very, very few games. But a super classy place that is just very comfortable to go in and browse.
So I want something like that, but with games on top. I think it's time to sketch out a real plan, a real goal and then keep pushing forward into what it would take, financially.
Thanks again for the awesome discussion, all. It's kept me thinking positive and upbeat in an otherwise very down time when it comes to how I may make a living the rest of my life. Much appreciated.
seeing as how so many people use coffee shops as offices, I wonder why I've never seen a copy shop that also offers some basic print services
seeing as how so many people use coffee shops as offices, I wonder why I've never seen a copy shop that also offers some basic print services
Although the big chain Forbidden Planet has an entire floor selling various action figure ranges and assorted geek paraphernalia so I dunno
Gaming stores are always pretty distinct though
PSN- AHermano
Thanos will probably be CG, and if he evens talks, they can sit on that info for awhile as a surprise.
This is such an amazing idea it needs to be stated again. The one downside is it can be costly, but it's a great way to get people hooked on following titles or into the current "it" characters (Like Guardians or the Winter Soldier)
I'd have to imagine that such a thing would only work if there was a clear delineation of comic and coffee shop. You can browse one place but only purchased comics go in the other.
The main cast is: Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Ant-Man, Dr. Strange, The Punisher, Emma Frost, Black Panther, Gamora, Winter Soldier, Moon Knight, The Thing and Nick Fury.
There are two, so far, huge psuedo-miniseries tie-ins, one featuring Hulk and Iron Man and the other Thor and Loki
Marvel's smart
So that explains why he's a dick. And possibly why he sucks at constructing insults as well.
Wait, why does he need to be cg? Poitier looked excellent!
Which now I desperately need.
Steam
You know Ian Holmes and Martin Freeman aren't hobbit sized in real life right?
I need to ask if the store does pull lists, though, because here I am already potentially an issue behind because I'm out of the loop with release dates. Is there a way to get this stuff e-mailed to me so I know what's coming up?
Basically I am a newborn fawn in the comics world and I need some help.
Every Tuesday there's a big list of everything that's coming out that week, posted in the graphic violence sub-forum. Graphic violence is also a good place to go if you're a new comics reader.
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/categories/graphic-violence
http://mitng.org/2013/11/15/mitng-speaks-with-actor-damion-poitier-about-life-and-becoming-thanos/
Nope, armor, makeup and Poitier. There was only CG touchups.
Especially because a Beast series would mean more Abigail Brand, and I love Abigail Brand.
There're two off of Picadilly Gardens!
Although one is more of just a comic shop which sells games I guess, and is also something of a chain I think, although it tends to be nicer than forbidden planet.
Fanboy 3 is more of a gaming store, with tables and tournaments and such, and with all the less-than-pleasant clientele which somes with that.
Ha yeah I've just realised Travelling man does sell games I guess I just ignore that part
I was in there today too, christ what am I talking about
PSN- AHermano
PSN- AHermano
I found the Spider-Man issue to be way better.