My Comic Shop History

Host Anthony Desiato gets a crash course in cosplay with his wife, Stephanie, and guest Justin De Voe as the trio recounts their New York Comic Con experiences as Matt Murdock, Elektra, and Lobo, respectively. (Encore presentation. Originally aired as an episode of Flat Squirrel Tales on 11/1/17.)

Host Anthony Desiato returns to It'z Vintage in Mendham, NJ, for a deep dive into the fascinating world of custom toys with store owner and action figure customizer Allen Baus. (Encore presentation. Originally aired as an episode of Flat Squirrel Tales on 7/26/17.)

Host Anthony Desiato welcomes comic book artist V Ken Marion (HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS, TRINITY) for a fun and wide-ranging conversation. Anthony and Ken nerd out over comics and SMALLVILLE, mount a defense of Zack Snyder's DC films (spoiler warning for JUSTICE LEAGUE), and discuss how Ken navigates the comic book industry. (Encore presentation. Originally aired as an episode of Flat Squirrel Tales on 11/29/17.)

Host Anthony Desiato introduces the subseries BEYOND MY COMIC SHOP, featuring tales in and around the comic book world. In this installment, Anthony presents the sequel to Episode 3.8 of My Comic Shop History with guest Jermaine Exum (aka Lord Retail), the manager of Acme Comics in Greensboro, NC. Continuing their original conversation, Anthony and Jermaine discuss the role of the comic book retailer today, the state of the industry, and the current controversy over incentive covers. (Encore presentation. Originally aired as an episode of Flat Squirrel Tales on 10/4/17.)

Auld acquaintances are not forgotten in this special New Year's episode, as host Anthony Desiato and guests Steve Oto and Bill Maio welcome home the wayward son of Alternate Realities, Nick Robison, after a five-year absence.

Host Anthony Desiato brings his comic shop odyssey to a close (for now) in the season finale of My Comic Shop History. Anthony's final stop is The Spider's Web in Yonkers, NY, owned by former Alternate Realities customer Paul Borrero. Paul and store manager Andrew Gonzalez reveal how their perspective has changed four years into running the store, air some industry grievances, and identify potential avenues for growth. PLUS: Anthony welcomes a special guest to close out the season. The journey continues next year in the My Comic Shop Country documentary film. My Comic Shop History returns with Season 4 in 2018.

Host Anthony Desiato launches a brand-new subseries: My Comic Shop Book Club! In the debut installment, Anthony and DC Comics artist V Ken Marion (HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS, TRINITY) discuss the first issue of the DC event series DOOMSDAY CLOCK by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank.

Host Anthony Desiato concludes his trip to the Windy City with a stop at First Aid Comics in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. Anthony makes an appointment with owner James Nurss, the lab coat-wearing retailer who "prescribes" comics to his customers. They discuss vending at NYCC, how President Obama helped the store get off the ground in 2008, and why it's important to bag your trades. This episode is Part 2 of a two-episode visit to the Windy City.

Host Anthony Desiato shares some momentous Flat Squirrel news before sitting down with Patrick Brower, co-owner of the Eisner Award-winning Challengers Comics + Conversation in Chicago. Living up to the "Conversation" part of the store's name, Anthony and Patrick discuss how and why Challengers nurtures comic book fans and readers rather than collectors. This episode is Part 1 of a two-episode visit to the Windy City.

Host Anthony Desiato encounters his third husband-and-wife team of the season: Sarah and Patrick Titus, the owners of The Comic Book Shop in Wilmington, DE. The couple discusses how they have charted a new course for the store—in its third generation of ownership—through a robust series of inclusive, community-building events.