This is likely to be the one and only time I will put together and LCBS Spotlight, but I’d told Matt I would do it and do it I will. In Anchorage, Alaska, you don’t have a whole lot of options for comic purchases. In fact, there is really only one option: Bosco’s Comics, but only the Spenard one. While there are other options for weekly comics (the Dimond version of Bosco’s and A #1 Comics), for the discerning reader there is only Bosco’s Spenard (B1).
Why is that?
Because B1 rules.
Find out why after the jump.
Anchorage, Alaska is not a place blessed with a lot of comic shops. What we may lack in quantity, we make up for it in quality as Bosco’s Comics remains one of the best shops I’ve been to in my life. There are a number of things that set it apart from the rest. They include:
Service: The funny thing about the service at B1 is that it isn’t good unless you’ve sort of earned it. I know that sounds weird, but when you go to B1 and you come across as someone who isn’t a legitimate comic fan or someone that isn’t passionate, they can sniff it out. They smell it like blood in the water, and they’ll circle on you if you don’t bring your A game.
Of course, I’ve been going there for most of my life and even worked there for a summer (in the sports cards section no less…I know, I know) so I long ago earned their esteem. When Burpee or myself goes in, we’re immediately regarded and are given privileges other readers do not get, like being allowed behind the counter to pick and choose our comics before they’re out on the table. Yahtzee!
But still, most every member of the staff is very knowledgeable and passionate about comics. If you have a genuine question as an outsider (that’s right), they’ll have an answer for you. This is the same place that coerced me into buying Y the Last Man when I had quit reading comics. They convinced me to read one of my all time favorites and got me back into comics. Now if that isn’t a divergent moment in my life, I don’t know what is. That’s all thanks to their recommendation.
Selection: This is a store that gets pretty much every new title in every week and has them out on the table regardless of the weather. One of the most interesting things about Bosco’s is that they seemingly have the books out on the table every Wednesday regardless of holiday, while everyone else in the rest of the country has to wait.
Besides the timely and varied selection of new books, they also have an extensive back issue collection. Whether you’re looking for the past two months of Garth Ennis’ Avatar title Chronicles of Wormwood: The Last Battle or Uncanny X-Men #266 (the first appearance of Gambit), you’ll likely be able to find it at B1.I’d say my one complaint about the shop is sometimes a trade selection that is lacking. While you can find most things from the works of Joe Sacco to R. Crumb to also being able to track down Irredeemable or the complete Irredeemable Ant-Man, there are some maddening holes. Recently I tried to find the first volume of Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan’s Demo as well as Wood’s Courier and I completely whiffed. It’s oddly difficult to find the less popular Vertigo titles there, and that is frustrating as a shopper.
Deals: Every once in a while they have a back issue sale in which you can get crazy affordable deals on all of those single comics you always meant to buy. I know a lot of people take advantage of this and get some awesome deals. However, I’m not one of them. I recognize the greatness but I already have all of the back issues I could ever use. These deals bring in A TON of visitors though and it’s well received by all fans.
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So those are the big three. They also do a great job of throwing events, every once in a while bringing a creator in like David Petersen, Jim Mahfood, Scott McCloud, or Greg Rucka and really pleasing their audience with these appearances. Their Free Comic Book Days are something that definitely needs to be experienced, as it is a festive time that is better than any FCBD I’ve ever been to. Plus, I get the added bonus of getting pretty much whatever I want.
If you’re in Anchorage and you’re a comic fan, you’re going there already. If you ever have the chance to stop by when you visit Anchorage (because I know that is happening a lot), I highly recommend it. It’s a great store, and the only one for comic fans in Alaska.
