Buying Comic Books in a Theme Park? Would You Do It?

There’s no scarcity of locations to purchase comics – however do you know that there’s a fully-functioning comedian ebook store in Universal’s Island of Adventure?

If you’re studying this, you seemingly grew up shopping for comics at both a newsstand or a native comedian ebook store. For me, I obtained my first comedian on the checkout aisle of a grocery retailer — an Archie Digest06. From there, my dad discovered us a comedian store, Alternate Words, the place we might go each Wednesday evening till I used to be in highschool.

Since then, I’ve purchased comics from numerous locations — different comedian ebook shops, the web, vintage malls, and wherever else I can discover comics. But one location in specific took me abruptly final yr. There’s a absolutely functioning comedian ebook retailer inside Universal’s Island of Adventure, and it’s situated in Marvel Super Hero Island!

Universal Orlando opened Marvel Island in 1999 as a a part of their second gate theme park, Islands of Adventure. This specific space is fascinating as Universal locked Marvel into what can solely be referred to as an iron-clad deal. The deal is so safe that no theme park east of the Mississippi can use sure characters — which incorporates Walt Disney World.

Despite shopping for Marvel 10 years after the actual fact, the WDW resort in Orlando, Florida, is ready to use some characters in their parks, equivalent to The Guardians of the Galaxy, as they technically don’t fall into any of the heroic groups discovered in Islands of Adventure. Disney additionally tiptoes round not utilizing the title ‘Marvel’ in their theme parks (therefore why we’ve Avenger’s Campus in Disneyland) and is ready to use most Marvel characters in their California theme park. If you could have the time and luxuriate in a good learn, there’s a lot taking place with the Marvel characters relating to theme parks. It’s price a Google search.

But for now, company can nonetheless benefit from the marvelous choices, together with a comedian ebook store! Located close to the exit/entrance to Toon Lagoon, which options many platinum age and pulp period cartoon characters, this retailer, aptly named ‘Comics’, options Storm above the signal.

Once inside, the shop sells brand-new weekly books, variants, Diamond Select objects, and anything you’ll anticipate from a comedian ebook retailer inside a theme park.

The comedian books themselves had been common worth — so no theme park markups. The total situation of those books is about what you’ll discover in a comedian ebook retailer as nicely. Some books had minor flaws and others appeared Near Mint.

I personally like how the books are displayed too. Having the books lay flat is a good idea, although not one thing most outlets would be capable to pull off. Certain books had been even bagged and boarded, although I didn’t see any luggage and boards on the market in the store.

The collectibles facet is about what you’ll discover in an LCS however turned as much as 50. Prices had been increased on this stuff, however should you’ve been to both San Diego Comic Con or New York Comic Con, these costs wouldn’t be stunning to you.

But additionally, a theme park and conference are worlds totally different, and I don’t see the common vacationer going dwelling with a life-size Spider-Man masks reproduction.

I used to be additionally shocked to see so many Jada Toys contained in the park. I’m a huge fan of their merchandise, so it was a nice shock. If you’re heading to Islands of Adventure in the close to future, I like to recommend trying out their comedian ebook store. You may discover a new collectible on your dwelling whereas there!