“The comic that got me hooked was an Iron Man and Spider-Man team-up. I was probably nine. I’d seen the cartoons but never read a comic with both characters. It was mind-blowing—a crossover of two worlds! Spider Man’s always had his own universe, and Iron Man’s part of the Avengers, but seeing them together made me realize it was all part of a bigger world and really what comic books could be.

It wasn’t until that team-up that I saw how expansive the comic universe really was. I drifted away in my teens, but in my 30s, I fell back in love with it—largely because of the movies. Even when they’re flawed, they’re more than we ever thought we’d get. I remind people of that when they complain—back in the day, you never would have imagined seeing the characters you love in comics on the big screen. Growing up, liking comics made you the ‘weird kid’. Now, everyone’s watching your heroes.

I bought Nostalgia, Ink. in 2013. It had been around nearly 30 years. Leonard Littrell started it in 1985—he was a fan who became a dealer, then opened the store. After the housing crash, he decided it was time to move on. He put up a sign saying the store would close unless someone bought it. I did—and 12 years later, here we are.

A lot of longtime customers come in to escape. Comics are like any good story, but with art. For some, it’s easier to connect with characters in a comic than in a novel full of text. Comics pull you in fast—they’re bite-sized stories with cliffhangers, but you can still jump into most issues and enjoy them. Unlike movies or chapter books, comics can be more accessible.

For newcomers, comic shops can be overwhelming. Families come in, and sometimes they just need a lap around to take it all in. We try to make people feel comfortable, ask what they’re into, and help guide them—whether it’s comics or gaming.

Along with selling comics, we try to create a community. We host Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons events, along with some One Piece, Pokémon, and Yu-Gi-Oh! It’s important to keep a casual, welcoming vibe. There are places more competitive players can go, but we’re really here to serve those who play for fun, friends, and community.

For a lot of the customers that I see come through here, comics are an escape from the craziness that’s going on in the world. You can pick up a comic book and dive in. Chapter books can require a lot of time and commitment to get through the story, but you can grab a comic on a lunch break or a few minutes of free time at home. It’s also a visual medium, so it’s a little easier for you to get pulled into the characters and the story.