A Significant Loss

I ... I can’t believe it. The Paperback Bazaar is ... gone. Just, bam, without me even noticing. I headed towards the plaza that it was at today and it just ... wasn’t there. In its place was a vacant lot with a sign explaining that costs had outweighed sales and the only local comic book shop for miles was no more.

I feel like I’ve been hit in the gut. The PBBZ has been so influential on the local comic book, RPG, and general geekdom community. It’s even been the home of the publishers of a nationally distributed comic book series, Johnny Raygun. I mean, these guys are local heroes! Everything seemed to be going great for them. 30 years standing. A reliable clientele. Even the website is still up and running, and looks as if everything is fucking hunky-dory, except that everything is outdated.

What the hell happened? Are comics really falling through so badly? Are my worst fears coming true? Is the comics industry really failing?

I can’t wrap my head around such huge questions. Right now, all I know is that I’m going to have to drive halfway across the state to get to the nearest comics store. Assuming they stay in business long enough for me to make the drive.

Edit 8/22/06: Oh, hey, never mind. They just got a new location and name and lost a lot of money (they can't even afford a sign!). Damn, all that whining for nothing.