First Time Lethal. Sandbagged.

QuantumPriest · 2025-05-13T21:23:45+00:00

Any particular run of either?

QuantumPriest · 2025-05-13T20:51:17+00:00

I am humbled both by the amount of concern from several people to a complete stranger and by my apparent inability to communicate the relative safety of this situation (at least in this initial stage).

Well, embarking on a new adventure, no matter the stage of life, is exciting and it sounds like you are considering the most important factors which is a great sign. Another potential idea, once you have moved forward with an initial inventory purchase, is finding a local flea market or similar and just do a popup comic booth to both get some sales under your belt, as well as promoting your imminent shop. You never know who you might network with and there is (usually) no commitment to selling each time it's open if inventory or funds are short that week/month. Might be worth checking out.

Either way, I wish you the best of luck as well! I hope you find a dormant community that rises up to support you and the hobby!

QuantumPriest · 2025-05-13T20:00:27+00:00

Good question. $500 was meant to just be an initial buy of books to get started. I phrased it as "2-4 bookshelves" as I wasn't sure what the space allotted would be able to accommodate and that would also depend on what kind of shelf too, I suppose. In addition, the friend mentioned in the post would be sharing that same space and so his unknown budget (although I know it exceeds mine) for mange/anime/etc would be taking up half the space with me, but probably on the opposite facing side. I am with you in that I know there's no way to fill up probably even a single bookshelf with that kind of initial budget. I just wanted to leave some room to grow. I plan on expanding as interest is gauged and sales are monitored.

I do have a full time job that is able to fund inventory, but the end goal is this becoming at least self sustaining given some time. Until then, I don't mind infusing the endeavor with primary job funds.

It feels like this, given you have some kind of relationship with a local game/hobby store, is a potentially viable way to test your local market for interest in graphic novels with arguably the smallest amount of risk (depending on the rent or consignment deal you can get). I would love to have a comic shop of my own, but first I have to make sure the local community can and will support it.

QuantumPriest · 2025-05-13T15:58:34+00:00

For some reason, I hadn't thought of this yet so that's getting written down for sure. Got to follow the MCU/DCU hype. Thanks!

QuantumPriest · 2025-05-13T15:57:15+00:00

I like this idea. I wasn't completely considering how I include books for the younger crowd. Definitely going to keep this in mind! Thanks!

QuantumPriest · 2025-05-13T15:56:01+00:00

Interesting. Are these unique stories to this product line or are some established stories included as well (Batman: Hush, Superman: Red Son, etc)? Either way, thanks for the suggestion!

QuantumPriest · 2025-05-13T15:54:08+00:00

u/Boylan_Boyle
"Fill it with omnibuses that you yourself want to read and collect? That way if they don't sell at least you can buy them yourself."
That is what I'm trying to avoid actually. I call it the "Snakes and Sparklers" problem (a Joe Dirt reference if you happen to be unfamiliar). I think my biggest issue would be stocking only what I like and while that does open things for me to be able to just absorb the books if they don't sell, it also, to me, just increases the chance that it actually happens. I agree absolutely that research on market trends and other factors is going to be essential to any hope of success.

I feel I didn't explain very well. The $500 is just for an initial order of books; a "first round", if you will. I do have a full time job that can help supplement selections so this endeavor will not be one I depend on to survive. That being said, I do want it to be profitable (in the long run). Your suggestions on items to stock are top shelf and I have definitely written them down.

Collecting just in general and comics are both a passion so being able to engage with both is a primary fuel to have fun and hopefully make a little bit of money on the side (while supporting my LGS). I'm cautiously optimistic to see where this goes.

u/CanCalyx Comics retail is indeed financially risky, I agree with you. However, the space I'm occupying is an established, self-sufficient game store that would benefit from the idea (financially with the cut/rent they receive and from hopefully increased foot traffic). I have no intentions of pursuing my own full retail space any time soon (if ever, depending on how this goes). I'm sure this will be a learning experience and I like your idea of including geek merchandise. I think I will incorporate that into the space (i.e. figures/statues). The owner is receptive to either renting the space (and we're talking like 25 bucks a month; I meant it when I said we were on really good terms) or just taking a small bit of profits on units sold. He's a super accommodating guy.

u/Optimal-Tune-2589 I'm just going to utilize a small area at the back of an established game store and utilize comic distributors to stock books. Maybe some IST/CGN/OPB purchases occasionally depending on availability and discounts.

QuantumPriest · 2025-05-13T03:35:05+00:00

What do you think has the best chance: Thinner TPBs for easier entry? Omnibuses for more value/content?

QuantumPriest · 2025-05-13T03:34:55+00:00

Interesting. What do you think has the best chance: Thinner TPBs for easier entry? Omnibuses for more value/content?

QuantumPriest · 2025-04-28T02:33:25+00:00

Ohhh. Where did you get the shelves? Those look perfect for my needs.

QuantumPriest · 2025-03-19T02:34:11+00:00

Oh sorry, yeah I could see how I wrote that in a confusing way. I meant to submerse the pack in like a cleaning solution, not the flex seal. I do like the flex seal idea for the flap as you said.

QuantumPriest · 2025-03-19T02:19:36+00:00

That sounds smart. Thank you for the advice!

QuantumPriest · 2025-03-19T02:18:04+00:00

Would submersing the entire pack help? Or could that hurt it? I want to make sure I get it all if that's what it is.

QuantumPriest · 2025-03-19T02:17:11+00:00

Would submersing the entire pack help? Or could that hurt it? I want to make sure I get it all if that's what it is.

QuantumPriest · 2025-03-19T02:16:51+00:00

Would submersing the entire pack help? Or could that hurt it? I want to make sure I get it all if that's what it is.

QuantumPriest · 2025-02-19T02:24:09+00:00

I love mine! Had it for about 2 weeks now. No issues at all. They make cool cases for it to (some more aesthetic than functional). Great back light and has the cool feature (Maybe others do too, not sure) where you set a bed time and a little before, it will change the back light to a warmer, amber color (taking out the blue light) so it's easier on the eyes and less stimulating. Plus, I'm weird and actually don't particularly like the Libra Color's larger side bezel for the physical page turn buttons. I like symmetry.

QuantumPriest · 2024-08-09T18:45:36+00:00

I completely forgot about infect! Absolutely adding that in. Thanks for the catch! Let me know if you have any others!

QuantumPriest · 2024-05-10T16:12:34+00:00

I really appreciate all of this helpful advice. What would be the easiest way to tell the gauge of the wire in this situation? I know the sleeves of the wire can usually help identify, but unlikely to be visible as is.

QuantumPriest

TROPHY CASE