In this special crossover episode, we’re hijacking a totally different show for a TakeB.R.O.ver of the Comics Industry Insiders Live live show!

Join Django, Jeff, and Brian for the first 30 minutes of the show as they dive deep into the whirlwind that was Free Comic Book Day. Hear how The Comics Place in Bellingham, WA and Earth 519 in London, ON tackled the biggest day in comics in their own unique (and occasionally chaotic) ways.

💥 What went right? 💭 What would we do differently next time? 🍎 And how did Murphy’s Apple Juice keep us refreshed through it all?

From long lines to last-minute surprises, it's a behind-the-scenes look at the logistics, lessons, and laughter of FCBD at two very different shops. Whether you're a retailer, a fan, or just here for the data, there’s a juicy nugget in here for everyone.

Join Django and Jeff from The Comics Place in Bellingham, Washington, as they welcome rookie comic shop owner Brian Garside of Earth 519 Collectibles in London, Ontario, in Season 2, Episode 23 of The Data B.R.O.S.—aptly titled "Oops, I Shopped Myself"!

In this fun and insightful episode, Brian shares his unexpected journey into comic retail, detailing how a series of happy accidents and spontaneous decisions led him to owning his very own comic store. Listen in as Django and Jeff dive into Brian’s experiences, challenges, and surprises as he navigates the comic retail world for the first time.

From valuable tips for new and aspiring comic shop owners to humorous anecdotes that highlight the unpredictable nature of entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with relatable moments and practical advice. Discover how Brian's adventures with Earth 519 Collectibles are shaping his perspective on the industry, and pick up some handy insights along the way!

Tune in to find out what happens when comic fandom and retail collide in the most delightful ways!

Links from this episode:

• Earth 519
• The Comics Place
• Comic Shop Assistant
• Manage Comics

Get ready to set sail with Django and Jeff as regale Brian* with tales of their unforgettable voyage in Season 2, Episode 22 of The Data B.R.O.S.—aptly titled "Toy Boat"!

In this exciting instalment, the crew dives deep into their recent adventure aboard Toy Boat, a unique and fun-filled gathering that mixes the thrill of toy retailing with the refreshing sea breeze. From networking with fellow retailers to navigating the waves of industry trends, Django and Jeff share their firsthand experiences, highlight key takeaways, and recount amusing anecdotes from their time on the high seas.

Whether you're curious about what makes Toy Boat such a special event or you're looking for insights to enhance your comic shop’s operations, this episode delivers engaging stories, actionable business tips, and plenty of laughs along the way.

Set your course, hoist the sails, and tune in—this episode is one podcast voyage you don't want to miss!

*Apologies for Brian's audio this episode, his regular microphone was being difficult and he had to use a backup.

Links from this episode:

• Toy Boat Highlights
• Comicon The Cruise

Episode Sponsor Shout-Outs:

This week, our episode is brought to you by The Data B.R.O.S.

Thanks for listening to Data B.R.O.S., and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and join us next week as we keep exploring all things comics, data, and the retail world!

---

Thank you for listening to the latest issue of Data B.R.O.S. please like, rate and subscribe to the DataB.R.O.S. on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Visit Brian and Manage Comics at @managecomics on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, as well as at managecomics.com

Visit Jeff, Django and Comic Shop Assistant at @comicshopassistant on Facebook or Instagram or visit their website at comicshopassistant.com

You can also visit The Comics Place in Bellingham Washington on their website, or visit them on Facebook and Instagram, or listen to their podcast - The Comics Place Presents on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

***Please note, as pointed out in the intro, after recording the episode we realized we said "Skip Week" when we meant "Fifth Week", in your head please replace "Skip Week" with "5th Week".

The dreaded 5th week, what is it, why does it exist, how can we plan for it, and what do we do about it as retailers?

We'll dive deep into the 5th week and what can be done to mitigate its impact on your shop.

Episode Sponsor Shout-Outs:

This week, our episode is brought to you by Comico Comics, get Elementals #1 from Comico Comics from rising comics star Bill Willingham in better comic shops near you right now!

Thanks for listening to Data B.R.O.S., and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and join us next week as we keep exploring all things comics, data, and the retail world!

---

Thank you for listening to the latest issue of Data B.R.O.S. please like, rate and subscribe to the DataB.R.O.S. on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Visit Brian and Manage Comics at @managecomics on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, as well as at managecomics.com

Visit Jeff, Django and Comic Shop Assistant at @comicshopassistant on Facebook or Instagram or visit their website at comicshopassistant.com

You can also visit The Comics Place in Bellingham Washington on their website, or visit them on Facebook and Instagram, or listen to their podcast - The Comics Place Presents on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

This week, on a very special Data B.R.O.S. - Jeff and Django are knee deep in The Comics Place hijinks so we're simulcasting an interview with Atom! Freeman about the Fan Confidence Rating that was recorded on Brian's Meanwhile...at Manage Comics podcast.

RETURN to the past exploits of Adam.

Look on in WONDER at the awesomeness that is the Fan Confidence Rating

Be AMAZED at the revolutionary view into the comics industry that this provides.

THRILL at two bald dudes talking data the way only bald dudes talking data can!

Thanks for listening to Data B.R.O.S., and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and join us next week as we keep exploring all things comics, data, and the retail world!

---

Thank you for listening to the latest issue of Data B.R.O.S. please like, rate and subscribe to the DataB.R.O.S. on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Visit Brian and Manage Comics at @managecomics on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, as well as at managecomics.com

Visit Jeff, Django and Comic Shop Assistant at @comicshopassistant on Facebook or Instagram or visit their website at comicshopassistant.com

You can also visit The Comics Place in Bellingham Washington on their website, or visit them on Facebook and Instagram, or listen to their podcast - The Comics Place Presents on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Hey everyone, welcome back to Data B.R.O.S., your go-to 30-minute weekly podcast where we dive into the comic book industry, explore comic book data, and discuss what it really takes to run a modern comic shop! I’m Brian, your host, joined as always by Jeff and Django.

Episode Sponsor Shout-Outs:

This week, our episode is brought to you by Comico Comics and cash-houses-gold.com.

Episode Highlights:

New York Comic Con Recap We just got back from NYCC! We spent time with retailers, publishers, and creators, checking out all the new projects and getting some exclusive insider knowledge. There’s so much to share from ComicsPRO Retailer Day, including insights from two panels we participated in:

• Creating Experiences in Your Comic Shop – Jeff and Django talked all about making comic shops an immersive place for customers.
• Getting Your Shop Ready for the Holidays – Brian joined a panel covering seasonal strategies to drive more sales.

Data Deal Announcement from Atom “Bang” Freeman Huge news! Atom Freeman announced a new data partnership with Manage Comics Comic Shop Assistant and PranaDM. introducing the Fan Confidence Rating!

We also attended the ReedPop and ICV2 retailer panels, and they had plenty to say about what’s shaping the current market and where it’s headed.

And that’s just scratching the surface! So much buzz, so much energy—stay tuned as we unpack these events and dive into why this fan data could impact what you see on the shelves in the coming months.

Thanks for listening to Data B.R.O.S., and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and join us next week as we keep exploring all things comics, data, and the retail world!

---

Thank you for listening to the latest issue of Data B.R.O.S. please like, rate and subscribe to the DataB.R.O.S. on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Visit Brian and Manage Comics at @managecomics on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, as well as at managecomics.com

Visit Jeff, Django and Comic Shop Assistant at @comicshopassistant on Facebook or Instagram or visit their website at comicshopassistant.com

You can also visit The Comics Place in Bellingham Washington on their website, or visit them on Facebook and Instagram, or listen to their podcast - The Comics Place Presents on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Running a modern comic shop poses a myriad of problems and among them is how do you identify, rack, and sell adult material in your comic shop in 2024?

In this episode of The Data B.R.O.S., we'll look at adult comics, how do you identify adult material? What makes something adult, is it violence, nudity, "adult situations", or is it something more?

We'll talk about this and so much more in this week's episode of The Data B.R.O.S..

---

Special thanks to our Season Two title sponsor - Comico the Comic Book Company - Comics so good, you'll swear you went back in time. But you didn't! These are real comics that are really in comic shops. Like right now. Go buy one. You'll see!

Thank you for listening to the latest issue of Data B.R.O.S. please like, rate and subscribe to the DataB.R.O.S. on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Visit Brian and Manage Comics at @managecomics on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, as well as at managecomics.com

Visit Jeff, Django and Comic Shop Assistant at @comicshopassistant on Facebook or Instagram or visit their website at comicshopassistant.com

You can also visit The Comics Place in Bellingham Washington on their website, or visit them on Facebook and Instagram, or listen to their podcast - The Comics Place Presents on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

YOU GUYS! It's an all new Data B.R.O.S. and we're back to follow up the final issue from Season 1, Locations Locations Locations. In this dynamic SEASON TWO premiere, we talk about the all new The Comics Place location, what went into finding it, how Django and Jeff negotiated for the new location, what they'll do with their old location, and how the Data B.R.O.S. are going to come together - PHYSICALLY, to make their magic!

You'll find this and so much more on an all new Data B.R.O.S.

---

Thanks to our first Season Two sponsor - Bet Anything. Bet Anything Any Time, Any Place, on Any Thing. Bet Anything is your online betting portal. Visit Bet Anything and use the promo code B.R.O.S. to bet on this episode!

Thank you for listening to the latest issue of Data B.R.O.S. please like, rate and subscribe to the DataB.R.O.S. on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Visit Brian and Manage Comics at @managecomics on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, as well as at managecomics.com

Visit Jeff, Django and Comic Shop Assistant at @comicshopassistant on Facebook or Instagram or visit their website at comicshopassistant.com

You can also visit The Comics Place in Bellingham Washington on their website, or visit them on Facebook and Instagram, or listen to their podcast - The Comics Place Presents on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

IT CAME FROM THE VAULT!!! As we were blowing the dust off the Data B.R.O.S. after an extended leave of absence, we found this one last episode which we cleverly titled Location, Location, Location.

What makes a good location? What should you look for when finding the perfect place for your comic shop? What's the trade-off on lower rent vs higher foot traffic? Is a location a marketing expense?

What ARE the differences between Gross, Net, and triple Net? How does a lease length affect your rent total? What should you be watching out for?

What do you need to think about with your core business and what is essential for ADA compliance?

Of course there's the big question...IS THIS THE END OF THE DATA B.R.O.S.?

Of course not dear listener - tune in next week for the premiere of Season 2 of The Data B.R.O.S.!

---

Thanks to our sponsor Murphy's Apple Juice, It's the shape, not the taste, but it's also the taste, which is pretty dang good.

Thank you for listening to the latest issue of Data B.R.O.S. please like, rate and subscribe to the DataB.R.O.S. on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Visit Brian and Manage Comics at @managecomics on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, as well as at managecomics.com

Visit Jeff, Django and Comic Shop Assistant at @comicshopassistant on Facebook or Instagram or visit their website at comicshopassistant.com

You can also visit The Comics Place in Bellingham Washington on their website, or visit them on Facebook and Instagram, or listen to their podcast - The Comics Place Presents on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

This week's Data B.R.O.S. shines the spotlight on Shannon Live of Bat City Comics Professionals who has an amazing program to encourage kids to read.

We talk about Shannon's secret origin, discuss the origins of Bat City Comics Professionals, their move from Austin, Texas to Bradenton, Florida, and the amazing thing that is BAM! Books Are Magic.

Shannon is passionate about both sequential storytelling AND getting kids to read, and she's got an amazing amount of stats, studys, and citations about the benefits of getting kids to read comics. Some might say she's got a TED talk worth of info...in fact, she delivered a TEDx talk in Bradenton in 2023!

We think you'll really enjoy this awesome chat with Shannon Live.

• Bat City Comics Professionals
• BAM - Books Are Magic
• Your voice as a superpower | Shannon Live | TEDxBradenton

---

Thanks to our sponsor Murphy's Apple Juice, It's the shape, not the taste, but it's also the taste, which is pretty dang good.

Thank you for listening to the latest issue of Data B.R.O.S. please like, rate and subscribe to the DataB.R.O.S. on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Visit Brian and Manage Comics at @managecomics on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, as well as at managecomics.com

Visit Jeff, Django and Comic Shop Assistant at @comicshopassistant on Facebook or Instagram or visit their website at comicshopassistant.com

You can also visit The Comics Place in Bellingham Washington on their website, or visit them on Facebook and Instagram, or listen to their podcast - The Comics Place Presents on Apple Podcasts or Spotify