With the exception of Silver Cactus Comics' closure a few weeks ago, the comic book store industry in Las Vegas is doing well.
The longtime Las Vegas shop closed Feb. 25, but owner Tom Tisea wasn't ready to talk to the media. A few customers mentioned Tisea might reopen in another space, but that hasn't yet been confirmed.
Aside from Silver Cactus, other comic book stores in the valley are thriving.
Ralph Mathieu has owned Alternate Reality Comics for 18 years, and said the last couple have been good to local stores.
"They've been pretty great. It's a good time for the industry," he said.
Mathieu said comic books have been experiencing a resurgence in part because of major publisher DC's superhero relaunch in September. Not only has the effort attracted new readers, but it has reinvigorated returning fans.
Later this year, Marvel is expected to roll out a similar relaunch with their more well-known characters. In April, Marvel also is releasing the Avengers versus X-Men, a 12-issue, biweekly series that will lead up to the release of "The Avengers" movie May 4.
Derrick Taylor, owner of Comic Oasis, agreed with Mathieu.
After two rough years in 2008 and 2009, Taylor's sales began to tick upward at the end of 2010. He said 2011 was particularly good for the store.
"Especially the end of the year. The end of the year was really strong," Taylor noted.
He said he thinks it's because people are tired of not spending money and watching every dime. The average cost of a comic book at Taylor's shop is $3.50, and the average sale is $20. Comic Oasis handles between 65-70 transactions per day.
Thus far, sales are up 10 percent over 2011 for Comic Oasis.
Taylor said the Las Vegas comic book store industry as a whole is surviving, if not thriving.
"Comic book stores are agile. If you control your inventory you don't have that much of a risk," Taylor said.
However, depending on when a lease was signed, rent can be a problem. If a store, for instance, signed at the end of 2007 when rents were sky high, that could have a huge effect on business. If an owner signed in 2010, they could be getting a deal.
"That was one of the worst parts of the economy," Taylor said.
Popular items at Comic Oasis include books from the True Blood and Batman lines. Taylor's customers range in age from 14 to 35, and 80 percent of them are male. Today's comic book fan is looking for books with good stories, Taylor said, not just great art.
"They want to have something to read," he said.
For 16 years, Cosmic Comics has experienced growth every year with the exception of one year, according to co-owner Jim Brocius.
"I'm not sure what it is that drives people to take up reading as a form of entertainment," Brocius said of his success. "I'm a hard worker. I've reinvested everything I've made. Selection is the key."
When he first opened Cosmic, Brocius said there were about 28 stores. Since then, he's seen many come and go.
"I've seen dozens and dozens of them fail, probably 50 or 60," Brocius said.
Contact reporter Laura Carroll at lcarroll@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4588.
Louis Vuitton Handbags
Louis Vuitton Outlet
lv bags
没有评论:
发表评论