My Comic Shop History

Host Anthony Desiato celebrates Christmas with the Spirit of Friendship and Fun himself, Rich Roney, in Part III of "The LongAR Halloween."

Host Anthony Desiato celebrates Thanksgiving with the wayward son of Alternate Realities, Nick "Robi" Robison, in Part II of "The LongAR Halloween."

Host Anthony Desiato celebrates Halloween with Alternate Realities legend Dr. Bill Maio in Part I of "The LongAR Halloween."

Host Anthony Desiato returns to the mic for a supersized conversation with Acme Comics manager Jermaine Exum (aka Lord Retail) about comics in the time of COVID. Following this coda to the podcast's coverage of comics retail, a new chapter of My Comic Shop History, "The LongAR Halloween," begins in the next episode.

Host Anthony Desiato provides an epilogue to MY COMIC SHOP COUNTRY with guest Shawn Hendricks, who took over as owner of Fat Moose Comics since the filming of the documentary.

Host Anthony Desiato answers YOUR questions about My Comic Shop Country, My Comic Shop History, Alternate Realities, the comics industry, and more. Featuring Stephanie Desiato, Anthony's wife and fellow documentary producer.

Host Anthony Desiato celebrates the VOD release of his documentary film MY COMIC SHOP COUNTRY on Apple TV and Amazon with a special audio commentary track to accompany the movie. Featuring documentary cast member and Fat Moose Comics owner Shawn Hendricks.

Host Anthony Desiato goes guest-less for a special solo episode in which he recounts the secret origin of his mentor and old boss, Steve Oto, by reading the 2008 profile he wrote for a college journalism class. Note: "The Homecoming" miniseries is on hiatus and will resume later in 2020 or 2021.

Host Anthony Desiato reunites with frequent guest Chris Wilcock (Undiscovered Realm co-owner) to recount their experiences becoming fathers, Chris' reaction to Alternate Realities signing up as a vendor at June 2020's Undiscovered Realm Comic Con, and MY COMIC SHOP COUNTRY's 2019 screening highlights.

Host Anthony Desiato presents the podcast's first-ever "minisode," a special edition in which he: announces that the long-awaited documentary film MY COMIC SHOP COUNTRY is available NOW on Apple TV/iTunes (Amazon release to follow on 4.7.20); addresses the dire situation currently facing comic shops; shares his vision for the rest of "The Homecoming" in light of real-world events; and includes a s...

Host Anthony Desiato returns to action with Alternate Realities brethren Steve Oto and Rich Roney for the start of the 8-part miniseries "The Homecoming," a surprising new chapter in the AR Saga.

Host Anthony Desiato reaches the end of the road--for now--as this era of My Comic Shop History draws to a close. Together with Alternate Realities legends Bill Maio, Rich Roney, and Steve Oto, Anthony reveals long-held secrets, ponders a rebirth, and looks to the future. Finale.

Host Anthony Desiato returns to the present to survey the Westchester comic shop scene of today. In this penultimate episode, Anthony and guest Sandro Prosperino (former Alternate Realities customer and the one-time co-owner of Near Mint Comics in Valhalla, NY) recount their post-AR experiences at The Spider's Web, Aw Yeah Comics, Newbury Comics, New York Hardcore Comics, and more as they wrestle...

Host Anthony Desiato shines a light on the Cross County (Yonkers) location of DRAGON'S DEN with former customer & employee Chris Wilcock, painting a picture of a diversified hobby store, camaraderie-building (and often dangerous) hijinks, and some less-than-scrupulous business practices.

Host Anthony Desiato recalls everyone's favorite curmudgeon, Jay Meisel, and his decades-long tenure operating a booth at the Empire State Flea Market in Port Chester, with longtime JAY'S COMICS customer Jonathan Baylis.

Host Anthony Desiato finally comes face-to-face with another ALTERNATE REALITIES legend, former co-owner Prem Itharat, to mine stories about the eBay and Pokémon years, Prem's formal (and informal) business education, and long-forgotten pranks at 700 Central Park Ave. in Scarsdale.

Host Anthony Desiato takes a ride to the Scarsdale/Yonkers border for an on-location recording at American Legends--formerly known as ONE IF BY CARDS, TWO IF BY COMICS--with co-owner Mark Rubin (wife & co-owner Donna tags in for Mark on the After Show, available on Patreon). Mark recounts opening across the street from Dragon's Den, selecting the shop's original name, navigating the sports car...

Host Anthony Desiato revisits another former White Plains institution, COMIC BOOK HEAVEN, with longtime employee & customer Saad Siddiqui. They reminisce about the store's owners (the husband & wife team of Morris & Irene), eccentric manager ("Bishop"), renowned back issue selection, various moves, and ultimate demise.

Host Anthony Desiato brings everything full-circle in Season 5 with a look back at the lost comic shops of Westchester County, capturing a microcosm of the comics industry during the pivotal 1990s. Up first is the White Plains, NY, location of distributor and retail chain HEROES WORLD, the site of Anthony's first-ever comic book purchase. Along for the ride is legendary returning guest Steve Oto,...

Be part of the journey as host Anthony Desiato takes you behind the scenes of his upcoming feature-length documentary film, MY COMIC SHOP COUNTRY! In this special bonus episode of My Comic Shop History—which also marks the podcast's four-year anniversary—Anthony and his wife/producing partner, Stephanie, share road trip stories, off-camera anecdotes, and insights into the creative process. Music f...

Host Anthony Desiato takes one last lap around the convention floor with Undiscovered Realm owner Chris Wilcock in the Season 4 finale. Anthony asks Chris about the life of a vendor on the road at three dozen conventions a year. My Comic Shop History returns with Season 5 in 2019. Additional podcast content (including a Season 4 epilogue with Archie Comics President Mike Pellerito on 12/12/18) is...

Host Anthony Desiato goes old school with Jeff Beck (owner of East Side Mags in Montclair, NJ) to dig through long boxes at the Clifton Comic Book Expo, a traditional convention focused squarely on comics. They also unpack Jeff's experiences as a retailer at conventions generally, from choosing shows and setting up a booth to interacting with guests and other dealers.

Host Anthony Desiato wades into the cosplay waters with his wife, Stephanie, and seasoned cosplayer Peggy Pincurls, who has appeared at comic conventions across the country as Agent Carter, Winter Soldier, Black Widow, and more. As they explore this fascinating aspect of con life, Anthony, Stephanie, and Peggy address the power of cosplay to connect & inspire, important issues of gatekeeping &...

Host Anthony Desiato pulls back the curtain on the Diamond Retailer Appreciation Breakfast at New York Comic Con 2018. Anthony and former Alternate Realities owner Steve Oto recount their entire NYCC experience, from powdered eggs and retailer presentations to convention floor farewells and an impromptu back issue hunt.

Host Anthony Desiato pulls up a chair next to two New Jersey comic book artists, Len Danovich and Nick Justus, to talk about the convention grind from the perspective of a creator. They discuss cost-benefit analysis (in deciding which shows to attend), fan interactions, and networking at shows.