Pop Culture Paradise, located at South Forest Avenue and University Drive, owes much of its success to a thriving relationship with ASU’s comic book enthusiasts.
Store co-owner and ASU alumnus Erik Spellmon recognizes how crucial student traffic is to the continued existence of PCP.
“The majority of our subscribers and readers are students,” Spellmon said. “It has easily been the biggest reason for our success.”
The success of PCP is notable because comic book stores have had a difficult time maintaining success since the comic book market collapsed in 1993.
Immediately following the crash, thousands of comic book stores across the nation were closed down, Spellmon said. Even today, the effect of the collapse on the comic book market is evident by the closing of the Atomic Comics chain in August 2011.
“The comic book collapse was caused in part by an oversaturation of the market that pushed readers away,” Spellmon said. “About 5,000 shops shut down overall.”
Despite the challenging times, co-owner Marco Regalado has seen a financial resurgence in PCP since taking over management of the store in summer 2009.
Upon re-opening, PCP only had 56 subscription boxes. Now that number has swelled to 166, Regalado said.
“In terms of increased revenue, there has been profit increases ranging from 10 to 20 percent every month since 2009,” Regalado said.
PCP caters to its customers demographic by selling trading cards, video games and action figures as well as comic books.
“We allow customers to come in and play whenever they want,” Spellmon said. “It is sort of like a commune.”
Computer systems engineering freshman Raymond Daniels visits PCP on a nearly daily after classes to play card games with friends.
“There are a lot of regulars who come in,” Daniels said. “There’s a strong sense of familiarity and always something to do.”
Additionally, patrons of PCP can afford the store's products, an advantage for those living on a student budget.
“It is affordable entertainment, which is great for those of us surviving on a college income,” Daniels said.
Reach the reporter at mjgordo1@asu.edu
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