It’s good to be a comic fan in Toledo. Not only because of the number of comic shops, but also due to the dedication the owners of those shops have to the community.
On Toledo’s south side is Monarch Comics, owned by Steve Shufritz and managed by Ed Katschke, ensuring a warm welcome. Katschke says his favorite thing about working at the shop is the connections he makes with patrons. He likes to engage in conversation with customers and considers many to be close friends.
“People can get all this material online. Possibly, for even cheaper prices,” Katchke said. “But the reason people keep coming back to comic shops is because there are very few places where people can indulge in their hobby with a group of like-minded individuals.”
Creating a “hang out spot”
Darryl Dean, owner of Toledo Game Room, provides a social forum for aficionados. The Game Room has plenty of comics, but a big draw is the tabletop RPGs, one of which is 30 feet long. Those who come to buy comics find people playing various games with intricate figurines and backdrops.
Dean encourages customers to come in for chat nights on Thursdays, when comic fans relax and talk about, what else, comics.
“If you went to 100 other comic book stores, they probably don’t have chat nights,” Dean said. “They don’t have a place where customers can mingle with other customers.”
Young and old
Those looking for Japanese anime and manga should stop by Toledo’s newest comic shop, Seann’s Anime and Comics, owned by Seann Eschrich. Like Toledo Game Room, Eschrich has tables in his shop, where he hosts weekly Friday night Magic: The Gathering games.
Close by Seann’s Anime and Comics is Toledo’s oldest comic shop— approaching its 40th anniversary— JC’s Comics N’ More. The shop, wall-to-wall comics— both new and back issue— as well as figurines from countless pop culture franchises. James Collins, who runs the shop, has had people from all over the country visit the shop, amazed at his collection.
Despite the close proximity of Toledo’s comic shops, they’re all doing good business. Eschrich sees that as proof of the strong the comic book fan-base in Toledo.
“The fact that we have four, fully sustainable comic book stores, says a lot about Toledo,” he said. “Some larger cities only have one, maybe two.”
Monarch Comics | 4400 Heatherdowns Blvd. | 419-382-1451
Toledo Game Room | 3001 W. Sylvania Ave. | 419-475-3775
JC’s Comics N’ More | 6725 W. Central Ave. | 419-531-6097
Seann’s Anime and Comics | 5805 Monroe St. | 419-720-9544
