One of the UK’s oldest comic book shops announces closure after ‘epic’ 43 years ahead of huge clearance sale
ONE of the UK’s oldest comic book shops has announced its huge closure sale as an “epic” 43 years of business comes to an end.
Mega City Comics was set up by university student Martin Kravetz in 1981.
Martin is retiring after 43 years in business, 37 of which were in the same Camden-based shop.
The final clearance sale will drop in early January but customers will need to be quick to bag the best bargains, an online statement revealed.
Dealers, bulk buyers and re-sellers have also been advised to email in advance if they are interested in bulk orders of 1,000 to 10,000 items.
The store hoped to pass on the mantle to a new owner but unfortunately couldn’t find one.
Despite this, the team at Magic City Comic say they are “happy to discuss” funding with potential last-minute buyers.
In fact, at least one other comic book retailer in London has shown interest in the store, Bleeding Cool reports.
Authors, editors and artists such as Alan Moore, Jamie Hewlett, Pat Mills, Simon Bisley, Brain Bolland, Gilbert Shelton, Craig Thompson and Matt Wagner have all made guest appearances.
And Martin even taught The Walking Dead‘s Andrew Lincoln some lessons about the character he would end up playing – Rick Grimes.
With a new owner, the store could even hope to regain its King Of Camden honour of excellence in local retailing title, which it first earned in 2010.
Posting to social media the store said: “The end of an era!
“Mega City Comics was established in 1981, and has been operating from our shop in Camden Town since 1987.
“After 43 years (and 37 years in the same shop), Martin, the owner, is taking retirement, and the shop will be closing at the end of Jan 2025.
“We had originally hoped to pass on the mantle to a new owner, but a suitable candidate has unfortunately, not been forthcoming (although do read to the end!).
“It has been a joyous ride (for Martin, all of his adult life), and we have had some great staff and some great customers (a crazy number who have been here pretty much from the start, and stuck with us throughout).
“So it is a bitter sweet event to be closing the doors.
“The mail-order/standing order service will be winding up at the end of the year, and final parcels will be going out no later than early Jan 25.
“We are not quite finished yet, and we will be going out with an upbeat bang! So if you can make it into the shop over the next two months, there will be some once-in-a-lifetime deals to be had.
“The back room back issue stores are being opened up, and the shop is bursting to the seams with comic goodness, ranging all the way back to 1940’s Golden Age, through classic Silver and Bronze, and right up to modern day books.
“We have always offered up a huge range, but for the final run, there is more on show and available than ever before!
“Fine tune those wants lists, raid the piggy bank, and head on in and fill your boots.
“The final clearance sale will be launched in early Jan, but we recommend you get in earlier than that, and get your choice pick of everything we have, as there are deals to be had NOW and negotiations to be made!
“Dealers, bulk buyers and re-sellers – we will have some clearance offers on excess stock available soon – drop us an email if interested in taking 1,000 plus to 10,000 items.
“Wholesale inquiries are by invitation only – you can’t just drop in unannounced – but we welcome you registering any interest now.”