Mike's Comic Shop Roadshow

This episode Mike is still in the City of Brotherly Love, making the trip across town to Fat Jack’s Comic Crypt. The staff could not accommodate a full interview, but one of the staff, Lucas, had time to make a quick recommendation of a couple books for Mike to read. So, that made this a perfect opportunity for a Pitstop episode! Unfortunately, Fat Jack’s closed last year due to landlord issues, and the owner, Mike Ferrero passed away in December of 2024. The ICv2 website reported his death and stated, “Founded in 1976, Fat Jack’s was an integral part of the Philadelphia scene” This episode is dedicated to Mike Ferrero and his nationally renowned comic shop. On a decidedly more positive note, Mike is joined into this deep dive of Junkyard Joe by one of the best comic podcasters out there, Adam Murdough! Adam has been one of the voices on the classic Comic Geek Speak podcast for many years. For those that have missed those Muddle the Murd segments, guess what? You get one in this episode! Here’s to Mike Ferrero and Fat Jack’s Comics Crypt. Thanks to Lucas for taking the time to make a recommendation, and a big thanks to Adam Murdough for joining the journey with Junkyard Joe!

This episode Mike travels to the City of Brotherly Love and Brave New Worlds, a comic shop that is smack dab in historic Old City! Only a few blocks from Mike’s hotel, he took a leisurely stroll and walked past one historical site after another, from the Liberty Bell to the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin! Brave New Worlds is as charming as the area in which it resides. Mike had the pleasure of interviewing not one, but two managers, Brian and Cacey, and got a book recommendation from both. Cacey is also a cohost of the Tales From the Shortbox podcast. It comes out weekly and is hosted by Cacey Crawford, Adam Sheehan, Shaun Betit, and RJ Veit, who discuss the comics that were released the previous week. I have subscribed, and you should, too! The Brave New Worlds that Mike visited is one of two locations and has been around for over 35 years. They carry a wide variety of comics, game cards, graphic novels, children's books, action figures, back issues, t-shirts, posters, board/card games, and many collecting supplies. It was a blast to hang out with this very friendly and knowledgeable crew! Brave New Worlds is found at 55 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA, 19106. Follow the shop on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube, and check out their website https://stores.comichub.com/bravenewworldsphiladelphia. You can also email them at rob@bravenewworldscomics.com. You can hear more from the illustrious and enigmatic Captain Entropy on podcasts such as the Dark Horse Presents Aliens with Diablu Frank, Prof. Alan’s Quarter Bin, the Fantastic Pour with Brett Young, JLUCast with Chris and Cindy Franklin, the Longbox Crusade, and the DC SpecialCast with Paul Kien. A big thanks to Brian and Cacey for taking time out of their busy day to tell me about Brave New Worlds and giving great book recommendations, and thanks to Captain Entropy for joining me in the adventure of reading Step by Bloody Step!

This episode Mike swoops down to Dallas, Texas and Titan Comics, where he met and interviewed Jeremy Shoor, the owner and operator. This is not the Titan Comics publisher, mind you, but it is a comic shop that is titanic, both in size and in coolness. Titan Comics opened in 1991 and are in their fifth location since then, having grown from 1100 square feet to more than 4700 square feet. It’s a big store! To get an idea of Titan Comics, think about a great comic shop and multiply it by 10. A full line of new comics, a back issue selection of over 90,000 as far back as 1942, and trades galore. Not to mention one of possibly the biggest stock of statues. Plus, magazines, supplies, and apparel. Then join Mike and fellow podcaster, Professor Alan Middleton, of the Relatively Geeky Network as they discuss one of the best reads so far in this Roadshow venture! So, onto Jeremy and Titan Comics! Titan Comics is found at 3128 Forest Ln #250, Dallas, TX 75234. Follow the shop on Facebook and Instagram, and on their website https://titancomics.com/. Explore the multitude of podcasts by Prof. Alan and Em Middleton at http://relativelygeekypodcast.blogspot.com/ and http://dorknesstolight.blogspot.com/. Follow them at https://www.facebook.com/relativelygeeky/ on Facebook and @Relatively_Geek on X. And please drop them a line at relativelygeeky@gmail.com to tell them how much you enjoyed their conversation. A big thanks to Jeremy for his amazing story and great book recommendation, and thanks to the Professor for joining.

We are back at HeroesCon for this episode where I met the owner of Time Tunnel Comics from nearby Hickory, NC, Jacob Edwards. Jacob had a booth at the show and had some treasury sized comics I was interested in. We chatted a while and he was gracious enough to agree to an interview after the floor at the con closed. Time Tunnel Comics has been around 24 years and has been owned by Jacob since 2018. Jacob has a unique story to tell. Not comics related, per se… but a very powerful a story, nonetheless. Then join Mike and comics pro, fellow podcaster, and pal, Andrew Malin, as they discuss two cool Superman vs. Flash races from the Silver Age, collected in the Treasury-sized comic featured in this episode. Time Tunnel Comics is found at 265 2nd Ave SE, Hickory, NC 28602. Follow the shop on Facebook and Instagram, and at their website https://www.timetunnelcomics.com/! Find Andrew on the Nerd Dome podcast and VelleityStudios.com where you can find lots of cool stuff! A big thanks to Jacob for his amazing story and great book recommendation, and thanks to Andrew for joining.

This episode takes us back to the Lone Star State, specifically, Austin, the capital city. Mike was able to land an interview with Brandon, the manager of Austin Books and Comics. Austin Books and Comics is quite unique. It’s more of a conglomeration of multiple geek culture stores. In addition to the main store, there is also Guza Gallery and Outlaw Moon, each specializing in a different part of geek culture. Listen to the interview for details. It’s also touted as Central Texas’ biggest and longest-running comics and pop culture retailer, helping fans discover their favorite comics since 1977, and has been a Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retail finalist on multiple occasions! Brandon is as knowledgeable and amiable a shop manager as you will ever meet, and it comes through in the conversation. Then join Mike and longtime friend and founding member of the Campus Comics Cast, Matt Martin, as they review The Complete Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck. You will find that Matt is one of the most knowledgeable folks you’ll ever find on Disney’s Duck family! Austin Books and Games is found at 5002 N. Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78751. Follow the shop on all the socials, like Facebook, Instagram and YouTube! Find Matt @wookieecopilot on just about all of the social media platforms you can find. Big thanks to Brandon for his interview and great book recommendation, and thanks to Matt for joining.