Starting a comic book shop

Diamond rules the market, delivering for everyone from dc and marvel down to small indie presses. All comic books for sale are listed alphabetically by the first letter of the comic books name. We are still planning to start a shop in the next five years. Comic books with a number as its title are alphabetized by. Jul 12, 2006 i have received several questions on how to start a comic book store. My mission for the comic shop is for it to be a valuable online resource where comic collectors of all ages can buy, sell and trade comic books that are certified and graded by cgc, cbcs and pgx.

Comic book owners explain how to start a comics retail store. We offer modern, bronze age, silver age, and golden age comics. Maybe even get into selling used graphic novels like a secondhand bookstore. Comic book owners explain how to start a comics retail store at. Sell comic books online start an online comic store. I have 3 other partners, a business plan, a location. How to start a comic book store starting your own llc is easy. Comic book value packs graphic novels, books 47629 comic art 140 vintage paperbacks 18912 pulps and digests 3531 fanzines 1973 noncomic magazines 39 view.

Ramsey ramirez, helgi davis from mcallen, tx and christopher r. The skys the limit on weekly cost and will vary greatly depending on the type of comic shop you want. If we dont, add it to your want list and well notify you when its in stock. It will be hard work, but it will be a labor of love. Opening a comic book shop is a great way to share what you love with the world, and comics seem to be undergoing a resurgence. Top ten ways to survive the covid19 comics apocalypse. A newish comic shop in my town ran commercials during the first half of the new seasons of arrow and the flash. On the companys first anniversary of publishing, howstuffworks spoke to marts about starting a new media business in todays competitive market.

Birkemoe got his start in the business as an employee of the story that he eventually bought in 1998 when the owner had decided to sell the store. This past week a coworker of mine found a posting on kijiji about a local comic book store that was selling their complete contents and store name. Comic books and illustrated novels have reached a wide audience, and many enthusiasts have taken the heroic leap into the retailing side. Since her shop wasnt generating enough revenue to support even a parttime staff member, she was forced to close her store whenever she won a permit.

Im not a big fan of comics except for xmen but i understand that comics afficionados are passionate about their comics and can be one of the most loyal customers you can have. Comic book owners explain how to start a comics retail. The publication is available to both comic shop retailers and consumers. The purchasing guide for starting a comic book store. Thats just what mike marts did, leaving behind comic book titles like dcs batman and marvels the xmen to become editorinchief of aftershock comics. Dec 20, 2016 thats just what mike marts did, leaving behind comic book titles like dcs batman and marvels the xmen to become editorinchief of aftershock comics. Starting a comic book collection concept comic vine.

When i lived in nevada a number of small stores opened and closed around the city where i grew up. How to sell comic books online start your online store. That involves receiving, sorting, scanning, pricing and stocking that weekly inventory. For years, the independent bricksandmortar bookselling business has been under pressure from. Opening a comic books shop start a comic books trading. Learn about the daytoday activities of a comic book store owner, the typical target market, growth potential, startup costs, legal considerations, and more.

I decided that it was time to spend a few columns discussing how to open your own comics retail store. Look at all the mainstream movies that feature superheroes. Apr 26, 2019 this article was amended on 26 april 2019, the remove a picture of megacity comics in camden town, london as an example of a comic book shop. If you can manage to provide a pulllist discount for a pull of like 8 titles or more, really consider doing it. Opening a comic books shop start a comic books trading business. Given all these necessary costs, your stock shouldnt be something that weighs you down. Why now is the perfect time to start your comic book multimedia empire.

And for a favored few, that window view finds not just persnickety pigeons and noisy neighbors, but over thereyeah, look, around the corner, near the fiveanddimethe humble comic book shop. Some comic book shop employers prefer knowledgeable workers, but some would rather not have them reading the merchandise. Hibbs says that this is still giving comic book stores an edge. Worked at a comic book store in college and these are all valuable points. If you are unsure on what to buy comic vine can help you decide. Nov 26, 2015 while you may be starting with a personal collection youll be working that diamond account to get new product in weekly. You have found the perfect business idea, and now you are ready to take the next step. With a comic book store, you can turn your dream of showcasing and selling new and vintage comic books into a reality while exposing new customers to the comic book genre, provide collectors with an assortment of characters, and older customers with memories of their.

These are just a few tips that can help readers start their comic book collection and maintain some good habits. All comic books for sale are listed alphabetically by the first letter of the comic book s name. So why would you ever even consider opening a comics shop. When you attend a comic book convention, use a camera and act as your own channels correspondent, creating live action content which you can then link to your online comic book store. Sell online, in store, at a kiosk, and everywhere in between while keeping track of all your sales, orders, and inventory using the. Rather than divulging yourself into a comic book universe or maybe many, focus on one character or a team xmen, jla only. For the most part, starting a comic book store is relatively easy to do. If youre looking for a hard to find back issue, we probably have it. After the list of names, i reveal the 8 vital dos and donts of naming your bookstore, the greatest bookstore slogans ever created and vital statistics you need to know about the book industry catchy bookstore names. Heres some helpful information that is ideal for entrepreneurial folks who want to open a comic books shop. You really need a location that is close to a college, or other large number of potential gamers, and is at least 20 min away from your closest competition. Your online shop could sponsor a forum on a series or character you love. What do you need to start a comic book store heres some help and more.

Jul 22, 2015 stevens has been a comic book owner for approximately oneand a half years and he states that he is an absentee manager so he has five employees. The comic book store is a business that specializes in the retailing of comic books including new comic books, used comic books, and extremely rate comic books. The owners werent very friendly or customer service oriented and all but two finally closed. Apr 30, 2018 it depends upon where you are located. Get all the tips, tools, and support you need to start, run, and grow your comic book business. In this video i talk about about meeting with the sba, getting a small business loan, and what goes into a business plan. How to start a comic book store starting your own llc is. On the companys first anniversary of publishing, howstuffworks spoke to marts about starting a. How to start a comic book publishing company pen and the pad.

May 20, 20 this past week a coworker of mine found a posting on kijiji about a local comic book store that was selling their complete contents and store name. Choosing the right equipment is a critical step in starting your comic book store. Comic books with a number as its title are alphabetized by the way the name is pronounced. Here are the 301 catchiest bookstore names of alltime. What do you need to start a comic book store through the. The mighty marvel universe is a place to be found in the world outside your window. Blastoff comics jud meyers explains not only why comic book stores fail. Stevens has been a comic book owner for approximately oneandahalf years and he states that he is an absentee manager so he has five employees. But before you do, pay attention to the employees to see if they are fans or not. Opening a comic book store, need any available advice gen. The comic book retail industry is an attractive venue for entrepreneurs who are passionate about the world of comics. After the business begins its operations, the company will launch an online ordering platform to generate sales on a nationwide basis. Youll probably need to take out a business loan, find an appropriate space, invest in equipment and stock, and pay an array of legal fees. Sell the used books for half price, but only give out maybe a sixth of the.

This article was amended on 26 april 2019, the remove a picture of megacity comics in camden town, london as an example of a comic book shop. Pull subscriptions are the bread and butter of the comics side. The comic book shop 1855 marsh rd, wilmington, delaware 19810 rated 4. Most rivers in the west have a lottery system for rafting permits, and she never knew when she would get lucky.

If the fantastic four and other titles still give you the same kind of goose bumps you had as a kid, a comic book retail startup may be a great way to earn a living as a small business owner. Mar 30, 2017 my mission for the comic shop is for it to be a valuable online resource where comic collectors of all ages can buy, sell and trade comic books that are certified and graded by cgc, cbcs and pgx. While you may be starting with a personal collection youll be working that diamond account to get new product in weekly. May 15, 2017 first, opening a comic book shop is expensive. For a comic book store, however, you need capital as well as passion for the medium. Dont think you can jump right into the world of retail sales without a solid business plan. Our guide on starting a comic book store covers all the essential information to help you decide if this business is a good match for you. While she loved her shop very much, she and her companion were avid river rafters.

If you want to put your comic into comic book stores, youll need diamond distribution. Whether you are interested in publishing comics, opening a retail shop or trying your hand at creating a series of your own, there are a few basic guidelines that. David clarke, cofounder of off shoot comics, is among those. With a passion for comics, some cash and sweat equity, you can start a comic book business. About 60 days ago, i started selling certified graded comics on ebay to start earning some cash that would fund the construction of this website and. Opening a comic bookstore may be your dream, but dont make it a reality if you cant part with the merchandise. If we dont, add it to your want list and well notify you when its in stock this weeks features. Sell comic books online start an online comic store free. I found a great resource on how to start your own comic bookstore, including where to get distribution agreements to be able to sell dc, marvel and. Tales from the database mile high comics, chuck rozanski. Blastoff comics owner explains why most comic book stores. I have received several questions on how to start a comic book store. D just curious if i can get some advice from people who might know. Start a comic book store by following these 9 steps.