Titan Games Kalamazoo

The evaluation of “Comic book shops” have come a long way, even in my shorter- then some life span. I find it interesting to compare when I was a child going into a comic shop, to now days.

I grew up somewhere you wouldn’t think there would be a “comic nerd” to be found. I was raised in a farm area of southern Ohio, where the was very little shops in general. Its just a little speck on a map called New Holland. Not too far away (about a 20 minuet drive) there’s a city called Circleville. Some people may actually know this place, only for its famous Pumpkin Show every year.

In this city, when I was a very young girl, I was introduced to my first comic book. I don’t remember the name of the shop sadly but I recall exactly what it looked like on the inside. It had this old blue carpet, and white walls littered with art and random pictures from books. It even had its own unique smell.. not a bad one..but it was something that belonged only to that shop. There high tables (they actually were most likely normal tables, but I was a very small child), and cases full of cards.

The thing that puzzled me most, was that there were adults there. I always thought that comics and cartoons were for children, and adults had those boring shows with real people in them. I asked my mother why there was so many grown-ups and she told me that you never had to out grow comics. She also picked me out some books to show me, that she told me she read as a kid. This also shocked me, since I thought that it was a boy hobby. That was the day I found out that even a big girl could love comics, and some how its something that had a greater influence on me then at the time anyone could have guessed.

Over time all things must adapt to changing situations. Comic shops are no different. What used to be a small, normally family operated business has boomed into much more. Influences from all over the world can be found gracing the shelves. From Anime and Manga from Japan, to board games from Germany, there is something for everyone.

I look around the shop, and the people I have met here, and can’t help but be in awe of it. While some may see it as just four walls with some shelves, I see it more of a sanctuary. Everything on our shelves are meant to bring happiness to those who pick it up.

Warhammer is something HUGE here, and while I first wasn’t sure of it, I am a believer now. People spend hours collecting, painting and readying there army, looking forward to Saturdays. The day finally arrives, and the come carrying there big boxes, ready for the action. People who normally are so calm and collective when they speak to me, are shouting and laughing. The same can be said for anything here. There’s nothing like the rush of rolling the dice, and they come out in your favor.

I admit, its a bit exciting to see so many strike up conversations about there passions here with strangers. Can you imagine if the whole world was like that? Its odd to think of a business as a place where everyone can laugh and play together, but that’s why we hold events here. A lot of man hours go into our events. Even when its not the days of them, there’s still letting everyone know, setting up everything needed and so much more. We wouldn’t have it any other way though.

Comic shops have gone from little stores you go into once a week to pick up your comics and cards, to something I think is much better. Its turned into a community where you get a warm greeting and there’s always something waiting for you.

I wonder if this is were my mother imagined when she told about comics that this is where I would end up. I remember the day I told her I was leaving my home to move up to Kalamazoo and begin perusing my dream of being a comic artist. She didn’t believe me. The I found myself with a job in a comic shop while I’m here learning to improve my artistic ability, and she told me its exactly where I needed to be. I think shes right about that.

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