My Comic Shop History

Host Anthony Desiato kicks off the second half of "Con Season" with industry veteran Vincent Zurzolo, COO of the famed Metropolis Collectibles. Anthony and Vincent view decades' worth of convention history through the lens of Vincent's extensive experience on the con floor.

Host Anthony Desiato concludes his four-episode deep dive into the extensive back issue buying and selling practices of Zapp! Comics founder and co-owner Ben Lichtenstein. In the finale of this "Beyond My Comic Shop" miniseries, Anthony and Ben discuss who Ben looks up to in the dealer world, how collections are a record of someone's fandom and life, and what Ben's road trips are like. Bonus: This...

Host Anthony Desiato continues his four-episode deep dive into the extensive back issue buying and selling practices of Zapp! Comics founder and co-owner Ben Lichtenstein. In Part 3 of this "Beyond My Comic Shop" miniseries, Anthony and Ben talk about the legacy and teachability of the Zapp! buying method, the books that still excite Ben, and some of the biggest collections Ben has dealt.

Host Anthony Desiato continues his four-episode deep dive into the extensive back issue buying and selling practices of Zapp! Comics founder and co-owner Ben Lichtenstein. In Part 2 of this "Beyond My Comic Shop" miniseries, Anthony and Ben talk about navigating potential conflicts, the art of negotiation, price guides, and the grading & restoration of books.

Host Anthony Desiato begins a four-episode deep dive into the extensive back issue buying and selling practices of Zapp! Comics founder and co-owner Ben Lichtenstein. In Part 1 of this "Beyond My Comic Shop" miniseries, Anthony and Ben examine the building blocks that shaped Ben's work ethic and business philosophy. Stops along Ben's "secret origin" include his first exposure to comic books at Ber...

Host Anthony Desiato takes to the skies once more with 13th Dimension's Dan Greenfield, this time to discuss the 2018 MAN OF STEEL miniseries by Marvel-turned-DC writer Brian Michael Bendis. SPOILER WARNING. Part 2 of a two-part book club event. If you missed the previous installment, in which Anthony and Dan tackled the five major post-Crisis tellings of Superman's origin, download it now!

Host Anthony Desiato journeys to Krypton, Smallville, and Metropolis with guest Dan Greenfield (13th Dimension) as they discuss the five major post-Crisis tellings of Superman's origin story: MAN OF STEEL (1986) by John Byrne, FOR ALL SEASONS by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, BIRTHRIGHT by Mark Waid and Leinil Yu, SECRET ORIGIN by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank, and AMERICAN ALIEN by Max Landis. Part 1 of a...

Host Anthony Desiato recruits two convention veterans and Alternate Realities refugees, Drew Cheskin and Brian O'Dea, to share their tips for surviving comic conventions. For those attending a large show for the first time, the episode covers budgeting time and money, navigating the show floor, deciding what type of show experience you are looking for, and more. Midseason finale. "Con Season" will...

Host Anthony Desiato heads over to beautiful downtown Harrison, NY, to speak with two of the owners of Aw Yeah Comics NY: comic book creator Franco (TINY TITANS, ENCOUNTER, and the upcoming SUPERMAN OF SMALLVILLE) and ReedPOP's Mike Negin (C2E2 Event Manager). They discuss Aw Yeah's recent "Legends" signing, Mike and Franco's comic shop histories, and some hot topics in the world of comic conventi...

Host Anthony Desiato cracks the action figure packaging open with veteran collector Frank Rucco and delves into the fan's view of comic conventions. The duo discusses collecting habits generally (including the completist mentality and the thrill of the hunt) and at shows specifically (including buying strategies and budgeting resources). Plus, the age-old debate: mint in box or loose?

Host Anthony Desiato conducts a post-mortem on 2018's C2E2 (Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo) with ReedPOP Content Coordinator Chris D'Lando and C2E2 vendor/Undiscovered Realm owner Chris Wilcock. The trio recounts their experiences on the convention floor, from running the show to slinging Pops to hosting a panel. It all begins with a pair of red trunks.

Host Anthony Desiato examines the convention scene from the perspectives of a reporter (Comics Beat Managing Editor Alex Lu) and a creator (returning guest Brandon Montclare, writer of ROCKET GIRL and MOON GIRL & DEVIL DINOSAUR).

Season 4 Premiere Week concludes with a book club special recorded live at Zapp Comic Con in Wayne, NJ. Host Anthony Desiato and guest Shawn Hendricks (clerk, Fat Moose Comics) discuss issues #1-6 of the DC Comics miniseries BATMAN: WHITE KNIGHT by writer/artist Sean Murphy. Season 4 of My Comic Shop History continues with new episodes every other Wednesday.

Season 4 Premiere Week continues with a creator special recorded live at Aw Yeah Comics in Harrison, NY. Host Anthony Desiato moderates a pair of conversations with comic book creators Cliff Chiang (WONDER WOMAN, PAPER GIRLS) and Michael Kingston (HEADLOCKED) about their careers and creative processes.

Host Anthony Desiato launches a season-long exploration into the world of comic conventions, with episodes spotlighting the various players who bring cons to life. First up is a behind-the-scenes look at the running of a show with Garden State Comic Fest co-organizer Dave O'Hare. Also along for the ride is GSCF attendee and Fat Moose Comics clerk Shawn Hendricks. BONUS: A mini-pod featuring comic...

Host Anthony Desiato sets the stage for Season 4 of My Comic Shop History with a con-themed double feature. First, Anthony speaks with Dan Greenfield (13th Dimension) and Chris D'Lando (ReedPOP) about their experiences on the convention floor. Then, Anthony trades road trip tales with comic book creator Gregg Schigiel (Pix) and retailer Chris Wilcock (Undiscovered Realm). (Encore presentation. Ori...

Host Anthony Desiato pays a visit to comic book creator and former retailer Brandon Montclare (ROCKET GIRL, MOON GIRL AND DEVIL DINOSAUR) to talk crowdfunding, the business of creator-owned comics, the creative process, and the state of the industry. (Encore presentation. Originally aired as an episode of Flat Squirrel Tales on 9/20/17.)

Host Anthony Desiato compares notes with a pair of up-and-coming comic book creators: writer Frank Martin (MODERN TESTAMENT) and artist Damien Torres (The Kubert School '14). The trio discusses aspirations, dealing with rejection, hustling to get work, networking techniques, and balancing creativity with daily life. (Encore presentation. Originally aired as an episode of Flat Squirrel Tales on 9/6...

Host Anthony Desiato morphs into action for a two-part movie club discussion with guests Chris Wilcock (Undiscovered Realm owner) and Chris D'Lando (ReedPOP content coordinator). First, the lifelong Power Rangers fans discuss the 2017 movie and their childhood memories of the original series. Then, they look back at the franchise's previous film installment: 1995's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Th...

Host Anthony Desiato moderates a book club discussion of legendary writer Grant Morrison's entire 7-year run on the Batman titles, including BATMAN, BATMAN & ROBIN, and BATMAN INC. Anthony's guests are Batman fan Dan Greenfield (13th Dimension) and Morrison disciple Mike Sangregorio. The episode examines Morrison's views on the enduring nature of the character, the mining of obscure Batman his...

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...

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 retai...

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.