Thanks to everyone who came out last Saturday to the grand opening of BLASTOFF, my new comic shop in North Hollywood. The day was everything we hoped for, even if we didn’t quite have everything out the way we’d planned, but that’s okay; lots of surprises to come for repeat visitors.
If you’ll indulge me, I thought I’d show off the place a little; I’m awfully proud of what my partner Jud Meyers and I have done here.
North Hollywood seems to have been sorely lacking a bookstore, as locals eagerly checked the place out and seemed genuinely happy to see us.
Lots of fans came out to get books signed by Mark Waid, Jim Krueger and Gregg Hurwitz, plus some guy who writes STAR TREK. Thanks again to Mark, Jim and Gregg for helping us celebrate.
Let’s take a look around the place, shall we?
Kermit and Yoda overlook our kids’ corner, with racks and shelves sized for the little ones.
Also in our kids’ corner is a bit of history, showing how comics have long been part of American pop culture. I really like this wall.
Inside our showcase are a few of our favorite things.
The Vintage wall. Great comics over your head, and at your fingertips.
Modern Classics and Big Events, side-by-side with the newest monthlies.
The Zen bookcase holds our Vertigo and Image trades and hardcovers. For now, anyway.
The newest monthlies, below some more recent rare issues and European offerings.
All the newest trades and hardcovers, under Batman’s watchful eye.
Stan Lee’s 1972 Carnegie Hall poster overlooks our book wall.
We’re only just getting started; there are still big plans in store, and lots of changes ahead, but I think we’re off to a good start. Thanks to our new friends in NoHo, and if you’re in the neighborhood, stop by and say hey.
It’s a very nice looking store. Most comic stores I’ve been in have ranged from cluttered little places with cheap fixtures to organized, but a tad sterile, apart from a bunch of unframed comic posters. There, you have a bit of class, with the wooden fixtures, a nice presentation that actually attracts your attention, and thoughts about a variety of office memebers. Good work!
Don’t where I conjured up “office members” (too early in the morning). I meant potential customers.