Mike's Comic Shop Roadshow

This episode, we are in Rochester, UK at the charming Get Ready Comics, and meet the equally charming owners, Paul and Katie. Get Ready Comics fits perfectly into the magic of this historic city. Rochester was Charles Dicken’s favorite city, and many of his novels are based on the area. As their Facebook page says, Get Ready Comics has been located on the Historic High Street for over 9 years and has been a home for people who love comics, pop-culture, classic tv and film, and everything in between.

Then, Mike is joined by longtime podcaster, Stella Bowman, of the Batgirl to Oracle and the Dear Reader podcasts. Stella is a wealth of knowledge and has particular expertise in both the Batman family mythos and classical literature, making her the perfect cohost for this episode!

Follow Get Ready Comics on Facebook and check out their web page at www.getreadycomics.com (and subscribe to their amazing newsletter!). You can also email Paul or Katie directly at [email protected].

Follow Stella on her podcast adventures at https://thebatmanuniverse.net/category/podcast/bto/ and https://fireandwaterpodcast.com/show/dear-reader/, and follow Batgirl to Oracle on Facebook and X.

Many thanks to Stella for joining me and reviewing the amazing recommendation of Batman Noel!

This episode we are back in Lubbock, TX, where Mike discovered Monster’s Lair Comics (a great name, by the way!). The owner, Rob, originally hails from Chicago, IL so he and Mike had lots to talk about.

This comic shop has lots to pick from and since Mike got there a little early, he enjoyed perusing the shelves and chatting with the very friendly staff.

Rob tells a great story and has lots to be proud of with what he’s built with this business.

So, buckle up as we jump right into the interview with Rob!

Follow Monster’s Lair Comics on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/monsterslaircomics

Then, Mike is joined by longtime podcaster, Peter Rios! Peter has more comic knowledge in his pinky finger than Mike does in his whole body. He’s a co-founder of Comic Geek Speak and current host of the Daily Rios, The Tower, and other shows.

Follow Peter on his podcast adventures at https://www.comicgeekspeak.com/ and https://thedailyrios.com/. Follow him on X/Twitter @peterjrios and on Instagram @thedailyrios. You can also contact him by email at [email protected] or [email protected].

Many thanks to Peter for joining me and reviewing the legendary Secret Wars from Marvel!

This episode Mike makes his way from Philadelphia to Lancaster, PA and the appropriately named Comic Store and its owner, Charles Park.

Charles is hands down one of the most interesting comic shop owners ever. No exaggeration, as the story he tells will attest. What started out as a Pitstop version of the Roadshow, where there is just a quick recommendation from the owner, turned into hearing a fascinating story from Charles. Charles’ knowledge of comics spans decades and there were times Mike almost forgot he was recording for being so wrapped up in the story.

The Comic Store is in a cool brick building and is chock full of comics and related goodies. Mike spent a couple of hours there just perusing the shelves and asking Charles questions.

Mike is then joined by another longtime podcaster, the illustrious Chris Eberle! Chris was one of the voices on Comic Geek Speak for years, and is steeped in comics knowledge, particularly Marvel comics. As a former comic shop owner and educator, he was great to team up with for the review of Kill or Be Killed!

And, as a self-proclaimed follower and fan of the creative team, Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, he was the perfect cohost for this episode!

You can occasionally catch Chris on Ian Levenstein’s Comic Timing and Paul Spataro’s Back to the Bins podcasts, both of which you can find on all the podcast feeds.

Many thanks to Charles for his fantastic story and great recommendation, and a big thanks to Chris Eberle for joining me!

This episode Mike is still in the City of Brotherly Love, making the trip across town to Fat Jack’s Comic Crypt. The staff could not accommodate a full interview, but one of the staff, Lucas, had time to make a quick recommendation of a couple books for Mike to read. So, that made this a perfect opportunity for a Pitstop episode!

Unfortunately, Fat Jack’s closed last year due to landlord issues, and the owner, Mike Ferrero passed away in December of 2024. The ICv2 website reported his death and stated, “Founded in 1976, Fat Jack’s was an integral part of the Philadelphia scene”

This episode is dedicated to Mike Ferrero and his nationally renowned comic shop.

On a decidedly more positive note, Mike is joined into this deep dive of Junkyard Joe by one of the best comic podcasters out there, Adam Murdough! Adam has been one of the voices on the classic Comic Geek Speak podcast for many years. For those that have missed those Muddle the Murd segments, guess what? You get one in this episode!

Here’s to Mike Ferrero and Fat Jack’s Comics Crypt.

Thanks to Lucas for taking the time to make a recommendation, and a big thanks to Adam Murdough for joining the journey with Junkyard Joe!

This episode Mike travels to the City of Brotherly Love and Brave New Worlds, a comic shop that is smack dab in historic Old City! Only a few blocks from Mike’s hotel, he took a leisurely stroll and walked past one historical site after another, from the Liberty Bell to the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin! Brave New Worlds is as charming as the area in which it resides. Mike had the pleasure of interviewing not one, but two managers, Brian and Cacey, and got a book recommendation from both. Cacey is also a cohost of the Tales From the Shortbox podcast. It comes out weekly and is hosted by Cacey Crawford, Adam Sheehan, Shaun Betit, and RJ Veit, who discuss the comics that were released the previous week. I have subscribed, and you should, too! The Brave New Worlds that Mike visited is one of two locations and has been around for over 35 years. They carry a wide variety of comics, game cards, graphic novels, children's books, action figures, back issues, t-shirts, posters, board/card games, and many collecting supplies. It was a blast to hang out with this very friendly and knowledgeable crew! Brave New Worlds is found at 55 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA, 19106. Follow the shop on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube, and check out their website https://stores.comichub.com/bravenewworldsphiladelphia. You can also email them at [email protected].

You can hear more from the illustrious and enigmatic Captain Entropy on podcasts such as the Dark Horse Presents Aliens with Diablu Frank, Prof. Alan’s Quarter Bin, the Fantastic Pour with Brett Young, JLUCast with Chris and Cindy Franklin, the Longbox Crusade, and the DC SpecialCast with Paul Kien.

A big thanks to Brian and Cacey for taking time out of their busy day to tell me about Brave New Worlds and giving great book recommendations, and thanks to Captain Entropy for joining me in the adventure of reading Step by Bloody Step!

This episode Mike swoops down to Dallas, Texas and Titan Comics, where he met and interviewed Jeremy Shoor, the owner and operator. This is not the Titan Comics publisher, mind you, but it is a comic shop that is titanic, both in size and in coolness. Titan Comics opened in 1991 and are in their fifth location since then, having grown from 1100 square feet to more than 4700 square feet. It’s a big store! To get an idea of Titan Comics, think about a great comic shop and multiply it by 10. A full line of new comics, a back issue selection of over 90,000 as far back as 1942, and trades galore. Not to mention one of possibly the biggest stock of statues. Plus, magazines, supplies, and apparel.

Then join Mike and fellow podcaster, Professor Alan Middleton, of the Relatively Geeky Network as they discuss one of the best reads so far in this Roadshow venture!

So, onto Jeremy and Titan Comics! Titan Comics is found at 3128 Forest Ln #250, Dallas, TX 75234. Follow the shop on Facebook and Instagram, and on their website https://titancomics.com/.

Explore the multitude of podcasts by Prof. Alan and Em Middleton at http://relativelygeekypodcast.blogspot.com/ and http://dorknesstolight.blogspot.com/. Follow them at https://www.facebook.com/relativelygeeky/ on Facebook and @Relatively_Geek on X. And please drop them a line at [email protected] to tell them how much you enjoyed their conversation.

A big thanks to Jeremy for his amazing story and great book recommendation, and thanks to the Professor for joining.

We are back at HeroesCon for this episode where I met the owner of Time Tunnel Comics from nearby Hickory, NC, Jacob Edwards. Jacob had a booth at the show and had some treasury sized comics I was interested in. We chatted a while and he was gracious enough to agree to an interview after the floor at the con closed.

Time Tunnel Comics has been around 24 years and has been owned by Jacob since 2018. Jacob has a unique story to tell. Not comics related, per se… but a very powerful a story, nonetheless.

Then join Mike and comics pro, fellow podcaster, and pal, Andrew Malin, as they discuss two cool Superman vs. Flash races from the Silver Age, collected in the Treasury-sized comic featured in this episode.

Time Tunnel Comics is found at 265 2nd Ave SE, Hickory, NC 28602. Follow the shop on Facebook and Instagram, and at their website https://www.timetunnelcomics.com/!

Find Andrew on the Nerd Dome podcast and VelleityStudios.com where you can find lots of cool stuff!

A big thanks to Jacob for his amazing story and great book recommendation, and thanks to Andrew for joining.

This episode takes us back to the Lone Star State, specifically, Austin, the capital city. Mike was able to land an interview with Brandon, the manager of Austin Books and Comics.

Austin Books and Comics is quite unique. It’s more of a conglomeration of multiple geek culture stores. In addition to the main store, there is also Guza Gallery and Outlaw Moon, each specializing in a different part of geek culture. Listen to the interview for details. It’s also touted as Central Texas’ biggest and longest-running comics and pop culture retailer, helping fans discover their favorite comics since 1977, and has been a Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retail finalist on multiple occasions!

Brandon is as knowledgeable and amiable a shop manager as you will ever meet, and it comes through in the conversation.

Then join Mike and longtime friend and founding member of the Campus Comics Cast, Matt Martin, as they review The Complete Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck. You will find that Matt is one of the most knowledgeable folks you’ll ever find on Disney’s Duck family!

Austin Books and Games is found at 5002 N. Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78751. Follow the shop on all the socials, like Facebook, Instagram and YouTube!

Find Matt @wookieecopilot on just about all of the social media platforms you can find.

Big thanks to Brandon for his interview and great book recommendation, and thanks to Matt for joining.

This episode takes us across the pond to the UK where Mike was stationed for a few months. Naturally, he searched for comic shops almost immediately and found ACE Comics in Colchester, Essex.

Inquiries were made and a quick train ride later Mike was at the shop on a beautiful Saturday afternoon for an interview with Martin Averre, AKA Biff.

Biff has a deep history in the comics industry, particularly in the UK. He personally knows many of the great British creators, such as Alan Grant, John Wagner and Pat Mills. The building where the shop is located is centuries old and full of history. As one of the oldest comic shops in the UK, it is the perfect combination of historical landmark and a modern business.

Wait until you hear about the unofficial British version of a comic book price guide that Biff published and on which Brian Bolland drew the cover!

After the interview, Mike is joined by podcast fellow podcaster and comics fan, George Hanna to cover Flake, the debut graphic novel by Matthew Dooley. It’s the winner of the 2020 Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize, the UK’s only literary award for comic literature. George is one of the hosts of Meanwhile at the Podcast, a show that covers it all...pop culture, entertainment, fandom, you name it.

ACE Comics has locations in Colchester and Southend-on-Sea and found online at https://acecomics.co.uk/. They also have a very active eBay store, so check it out! Be sure to follow ACE Comics on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Connect with George at https://meanwhileatthepodcast.libsyn.com/ and follow the show on Facebook and the site formerly known as Twitter. Meanwhile at the Podcast can be found on Apple, Spotify or wherever you find your podcasts, so be sure to check it out.

Big thanks to Biff for his interview and great book recommendation, and thanks to George for joining me.

For more interviews at comics shops around the US and the world, subscribe to Mike’s Comic Shop Roadshow wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you like a longer than average, detail-oriented podcast episode, then this is one for you! Mike is apparently trying to make up for his missing October Roadshow episode with this “feature-length” presentation.

Once again back in Salt Lake City, Mike visited the very first comic shop he went to when he moved there in 2017, Black Cat Comics. Black Cat Comics is owned by the multi-talented Greg (he is also a musician). He is very much a hands-on owner. In fact, business was so brisk there Mike had to follow Greg around the store as he added and moved stock around and helped customers.

Located in the heart of SLC in the Sugar House area, it’s easy to get to. It has a very open-air concept design and if you are a back issue collector, this is a shop for you.

After the interview, Mike and returning co-host, Eric of the Longbox Review podcast cover The Great British Bump Off, by John Allison and Max Sarin.

Find Black Cat Comics at https://blackcat-comics.com/ and follow on Facebook and Instagram.

Connect with Eric at https://longboxreview.com/ and follow him on Bluesky, Mastodon, Facebook, Instagram, Spoutible, and Tumblr. You can email him [email protected] and even leave a text or voicemail at 208-953-1841. Longbox Review can be found on Apple, Spotify or wherever you find your podcasts, so be sure to check it out.

Connect with Mike at [email protected] or [email protected], at https://www.facebook.com/campuscomicscast on Facebook, and Mike’s Comic Shop Roadshow on Bluesky.

Thanks to Greg for this interview and great book recommendation, and thanks to Eric for joining me.