The Four Color Media Monitor

Some news on Chad about a specialty store in the UK run by a cartoonist that's now in a new location:

Ground Zero Comics has officially moved from its base on Toothill Lane into a much larger space across the road, formerly the home of Mansfield Wool Centre.

Owner, writer and cartoonist Richard Reynolds took the opportunity to expand his store, which he has always championed as a “proper old-school comic shop”.

Personally, I wonder if that means a big emphasis on all that is mainstream? Because what's the use of selling so much newer stuff from the Big Two when it's become the equivalent of spam? No matter how positive the old-school meaning is, it no longer helps to promote now bad stuff from the mainstream in that sense.

The event on Saturday, June 24, also marked the launch of Richard’s third graphic novel – ‘Robertson’s Reputation’.

Richard said: “It is a working class noir, with mature themes, set in a town much like Mansfield. I have been working on the story over two-and-a-half years and I am very proud of the final product.

“A big thank you to all who bought ‘Robertson's Reputation’ or one of my other books. I put a lot of heart and work into it so it's gratifying to see it sell.”

Good luck to him on selling his own creations. But what does mature themes mean? If that's alluding to bloody violence, in example, then again, I'm troubled by the perpetuation of this approach by anybody, when it takes considerable precedence over marketing anything that's less emphasizing violence.

Ground Zero was originally located in Handley Arcade when it first opened in 1991 and is now one of the longest-serving independent shops in Mansfield town centre.

More than three decades later, the still specialises in cheap back issue comics and a wide range of collected volumes and graphic novels.

Richard said: “Over the years, where most comic shops had been moving more into the merch side of the business, or trying to emulate high-end book shops, I was wanting to double-down on becoming a proper old-school comic shop for comic enthusiasts old and new.

“A mark of Ground Zero’s on-going success is its welcoming and friendly environment, where people can get recommendations and helpful advice.

“I hope to carry on with this tradition and be open for another 32 years at least.”

That's why I hope this fellow can set a crucial example by recommending modern comics that aren't from the Big Two. But at the same time, I hope he isn't promoting comics with more disturbing themes like the aforementioned violence. It'd be far better to start recommending items with comedy, and certainly optimism. Specialty store owners who do that will set a much better example.

Labels: Europe and Asia, sales