Comic Shop cover art

Comic Shop

The Retail Mavericks Who Gave Us a New Geek Culture

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Comic Shop

By: Dan Gearino
Narrated by: Douglas R. Pratt
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About this listen

The early 1970s saw the birth of the modern comic book shop. Its rise was due in large part to a dynamic entrepreneur, Phil Seuling. His direct market model allowed shops to get comics straight from the publishers, bypassing middlemen. Stores could better customize their offerings and independent publishers could now access national distribution. In this way, shops opened up a space for quirky ideas to gain an audience and helped transform small-press series, from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Bone, into media giants.

Comic Shop is the first book to trace the history of these cultural icons. Dan Gearino brings us from their origins to the present day, when the rise of digital platforms has the industry at a crossroads even as sales are robust. He spends a year with stores around the country, with a spotlight on The Laughing Ogre in Columbus, Ohio. Along the way he interviews those who shaped comics retailing from the early days, including many pioneering women; top creators; and shop owners who continue to push the industry in new directions. A guide to 40 of the most interesting shops around the United States and Canada is a bonus for fans.

The book is published by Ohio University Press.

©2017 Dan Gearino (P)2018 Redwood Audiobooks
Economics Literary History & Criticism Fantasy Superhero Ohio

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Critic reviews

“This is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand comics in the US...a fascinating page turner.” (Heidi MacDonald, editor, The Beat)

"Great reference for future work." (ICv2)

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