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Local comic shops are a vital cog in the comic book industry. Some may even argue the most important part of the business. From pre-orders and pull lists to new release racks and back issue boxes, they will always be where comic book fans and collectors are formed. A place to pick up other issues featuring the characters you stan (did I use that correctly?). A place to gather with other comic book fans and feel accepted, regardless of the genre, publishers, of characters you prefer. A place to get excited about EVERY Wednesday, knowing that a large number of new comic books will be displayed on a wall for you to take in all its glory.

But like most other industries, the pandemic severely impacted local comic shops. With the shut-down of comic book publishing (most notably Diamond Comics halting distribution) in early 2020, the brick-and-mortar shops were hit with an unfathomable scenario. Many had to close for weeks, even months. Some, sadly, had to close for good. A large number of retailers have realized that they needed to change their gameplan in order to continue operations moving forward in this new world. From new webstores being built, live auctioning on social media, virtual events, changes in the dynamics for in-store signings, not to mention adhering to their regional (ever-changing) guidelines with which to follow, local comic shops are making the necessary changes to remain in business. Changes to ensure comic book fans, readers, collectors, and industry professionals still have access to new content every week.

With the adjustments local comic shops have had to make due to the pandemic, so too did comic book creators need to plot new courses. With mostly all comic book conventions cancelling, rescheduling, or shifting dates, creators lost an avenue to peddle their wares (yes, I’m old. Still can’t believe I said “stan.”). Conventions are a place for creators to sell their work, meet fans, sign books, connect with other industry professionals, take part in panels, yada yada yada. So as conventions began pushing dates to the following year, many creators have taken to crowdfunding. It’s a logical step – creators can still produce new material, try their hand at creator-owned comics, and get the opportunity to once again engage with fans. One thing many Kickstarters have been featuring in their variety of pledge possibilities is a tier specifically just for retailers. Every Retail Tier which I have seen has always impressed me because the campaign seems to always make a pretty sweet deal for retailers and local comic shops – discounted price on books, variety of options, bonuses, goodies, and swag.

RELATED: [Video Interview] Rylend Grant of THE JUMP #1

On Monday, March 22nd, Rylend Grant and his creative team returned to Kickstarter for the second issue of THE JUMP. After a successful campaign in 2020 for its debut issue, the sophmore outing is already near reaching its target goal for the campaign…all within the first week! In giving a second look at the different tiers (I had already chosen to get a commission from the Ringo Award-nominated cover artist Fábio Alves), upon reading the Retail Tier being offered, the clouds parted, allowing a golden ray of sunlight to shine down on nowhere near me, and I had an epiphany…

Visit THE JUMP #2’s campaign!

Here at PopCultHQ, I’m continually looking for new ways to promote the comic book industry. A little out-of-the-box thinking with which we can bring something meaningful or constructive to the party. With comic book reviews, we offer a spoiler-free assessment to give readers some feedback as to what they can expect from the particular issue, series, trade paperback, or graphic novel. We’ve run contests giving free comics to followers just to share our fandom with one another. We’ll interview creators to help with promotionals for their new project. We’ve featured local comic shops with a number of LCS Spotlight articles. For the most part, we want to share our love for the business, reach other fans and lovers of the fandom, and uplift all the incredibly talented individuals who comprise of this over 80-year industry. So if you’ve made it this far, congratulations! Here’s what we are doing…

PopCultHQ has already made a pledge to the Retail Tier of Rylend Grant’s THE JUMP #2 campaign. I have spoken with Rylend about our little giveaway here and he hasn’t got sick of me yet, so I think we’re good. Upon the completion of THE JUMP #2’s Kickstarter campaign, PopCultHQ is going to giveaway the Retail Tier (pictured, right) to one lucky local comic shop. What will that shop receive? I’m glad I asked:

• Ten (10) printed copies of Grant’s successful Kickstarters – THE JUMP #1, THE PEACEKEEPERS #1&2, and THE JUMP #2
• TONS of Bonus Comics!
• Digital PDFs of THE JUMP #1 & #2, THE PEACEKEEPERS #1&2 (preview), ABERRANT #1, BANJAX #1, and THE JUMP – THE MEETING (short story)
• Many other digital files and pdfs of the process (script, pitch, pencils, inks, colors)
• Your store’s name in the credits of THE JUMP #2!
• Some extra goodies because Rylend loves comic shops too!

For the 10 copies, Rylend informed me that it’s all your choice! You will get an assortment of 10 of his Kickstarter comics and you get to pick them. So any combination of THE JUMP #1, THE JUMP #2, and THE PEACEKEEPERS #1 & 2. PLUS you can choose from any/all of the variant covers offered!

*** SPECIAL BONUS!!! PopCultHQ will be adding to the Retailer Tier for the winning LCS by including 5 copies of our exclusive ABERRANT #1 “Weekend at Cordrey’s” Variant (only 125 copies exist!) and 5 copies of our exclusive BANJAX #1 “Demon in a Bottle” Homage Variant (only 250 copies exist!). These 10 variants have a retail value of $150. That’s on top of the massive list of books you’ll be receiving from the Retail Tier. Insane, I know!

So how does the giveaway work? Wow, I am asking ALL the right questions. It’s a two-step process:

1. Follow PopCultHQ on any of our social media: Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram
2. Follow Rylend Grant on any of his social media: Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram

If a retailer already happens to follow both PopCultHQ and Rylend on at least one of the above social media platforms, YOU’RE ALREADY ENTERED!

On Friday, April 23rd (the day after the campaign ends), PopCultHQ will randomly choose from all eligible entries and announce the winning local comic shop on our social media platforms. We will contact the winner via PM on Facebook, DM on Twitter, or DM on Instagram. We’ll hunt you down! This giveaway is only available to local comic shops and online comic book retailers. Only one entry per store. Following more than one social media account does not increase your entries or chance of winning. Winner must provide proof, if requested, of business ownership to be eligible. Basically, this is not offered to individuals but to businesses, just as the Retail Tier on the campaign implies.

RELATED: PopCultHQ’s Spoiler-Free Review of THE JUMP #2

We, at PopCultHQ, want to honor and celebrate the hard-working, fandom-loving individuals who comprise of the comic book industry’s retail market. In many ways, you are all superheroes to this business. We want to get these high-quality, well-crafted funny books into your store. So help spread the word! Contact your local comic shop and let them know they could have these Kickstarter (soon-to-be) classics in their racks! Tag a store, a store owner, a store employee, a second cousin twice-removed who has heard of the word “comics,” and help us give a little something to the businesses who give so much to this industry.

Visit THE JUMP #2’s campaign!

Follow THE JUMP’s creators:

Writer – Rylend Grant

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Artist – Fábio Alves

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Colorist – Edson Ferreira

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Letterer – HdE

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Publisher – Half Evil Comics

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