Comic Carnival, the oldest comic store in Indiana, recently celebrated 50 years in business. The store, which fashions itself as “Indianapolis’ pop culture headquarters since 1975,” is an essential destination for anyone interested in mystery, horror or science fiction.
Much like a comic book superhero, the business has grown considerably since its humble origin — while the business began as a spinner rack in the back of a barber shop, Comic Carnival has moved locations several times before eventually settling into its current home at 7235 N. Keystone Ave.
Tim Reynolds, the owner of Comic Carnival, wanted to make sure the latest location was more of a friendly environment than a fortress of solitude.
“[Our former] Broad Ripple location — where we were [located] the longest — was a very small space,” Reynolds said. “It had a lot of inventory shoved into corners and [was] a little darker. We wanted to make sure the aisles were wide enough to support wheelchairs, [allow guests to] shop easier and that there was plenty of light.”
The outlet’s entrance is flanked by neon signs of the Superman shield and Batman’s bat signal, and upon entering, guests are greeted by a life-sized figure of Spider-Man posed in the corner. A variety of card and tabletop games are available for purchase, but the main event is past the checkout counter.
While many publishers sell their comics in large retail bookstores or online, there is an impressive quality to the sight of thousands of comic books available to browse in this locally-owned shop. An endless supply of volumes and graphic novels are on display, from DC and Marvel to film tie-ins and independently published works.
Brand-new issues are placed on the surrounding wall shelves, while older back issues and used books are displayed alphabetically, similar to a record store. Popular series like Batman or X-Men have dedicated spaces to make locating specific stories easier.
Lorelei Guenther, a sophomore middle/secondary education and English double major, appreciates the amount of opportunity within a brick-and-mortar shop.
“I like being able to look at all of [the options] in person,” Guenther said. “I try to go whenever I’m home for a break, so usually I go a lot over the summer.”
While the store’s primary demographic is adult collectors, its teen and young adult market has been expanding recently. Superheroes have experienced a major spike in popularity thanks to blockbuster films and the internet.
Reynolds also observed the space’s ability to bridge gaps between generations.
“We mostly are dealing with nostalgia … people born in the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s,” Reynolds said. “Those people now have children, so we get quite a bit of that.”
Sophomore psychology-sociology major Ku Slider experienced an inherited interest in comics firsthand.
“When I found my dad’s old stack of comic books in middle school, I [became] interested,” Slider said. “I have always been interested in graphic novels … My dad played a very big part.”
Indiana’s comic scene boasts numerous industry legends, such as Mark Waid and Jim Davis.
Reynolds explained how the store has strengthened its connections to local comic artists through meet-and greets, most notably with Stuart Sayger.
“[Sayger] started working here as a young man … [He] eventually struck out on his own,” Reynolds said. “He has his own comic called ‘Shiver in the Dark’ … and he is currently doing covers for Dynamite Entertainment.”
Above all, Comic Carnival has been able to cultivate a community of artists, collectors and writers brought together by their love of comics as a medium, both in joy and tragedy.
Ross Hollebon, the College of Communication’s associate director of marketing, enjoys the camaraderie aspect of the store.
“The [co-owner] passed away [in 2023], [so] I went and stopped by,” Hollebon said. “Comic books are another piece of art that brings people together … [so] I’m thankful for [Comic Carnival] as a local small business, and I’m happy to support them every chance I get.”
While Comic Carnival continues to change and evolve with the times, its goal of supplying the people of Indiana with artistic storytelling remains the same. It will hopefully continue to inspire new generations of creators for decades to come.