Update: Atomic Comics owner Mike Malve has released an official statement confirming the abrupt closure of the chain’s four stores.
In the letter, sent to members of the comic book industry as the final installment of his weekly newsletter report, Malve discloses that he has filed for bankruptcy and he and his family are also losing their home, though “I have always been and will forever be an extremely optimistic person and will look at this situation as an adventure.”
Malve compared his experience to the struggles that Starbucks has faced.
“When the economy went sour, low sales could not support the higher rent at these high visibility locations,” Malve said. “The leases at these particular stores which had originally provided the consumers with greater visibility and more foot traffic to our wonderful world of comic books, the higher overhead proved to be too much for Atomic as we faced declining sales.” All of Atomic’s four stores were larger than the average comic book shop, including a mall location at the Chandler Fashion Center.
The full text of the letter can be found on Robot 6, with Malve also noting the difficulty of recovering after an uninsured driver plowed through the window of their Mesa store (their biggest location) in October 2006. Local newspaper the East Valley Tribune noted that Atomic’s online sales and eBay store had been dormant in recent months.
Original story: Several reports on Twitter and Facebook state that Atomic Comics, a chain of four comic book stores in the Phoenix, AZ metropolitan area, has shut down as of Sunday, Aug. 21. The stores had been in business up until that date.
Word first surfaced in the late afternoon, with unconfirmed rumors quickly growing into conversation among several comic book professionals. John Layman, writer of Image’s Chew and a resident of the area, wrote “Hearing stories about Phoenix’s Atomic Comics stores closing shop. Absolutely heartbreaking, horrible news.” Rob Liefeld and Skottie Young, among others, also relayed the news.
As of the writing of this post, there has been no official confirmation on the store’s website, Facebook or Twitter account; nor from the personal Twitter account of Atomic Comics owner Mike Malve. Writer Ben McCool, of Image’s Choker and Pigs, stated on his Twitter account that he received a text message from Malve confirming the closure.
Atomic Comics has been one of the highest-profile retailers on the national scene for years, regularly attracting big-name creators for events, scoring nominations for the Eisner Spirit of Retailing Award and serving as the model for the shop in the 2010 film adaptation of Kick-Ass.
There are still many details left unknown about the situation, like the exact nature of what led to the closure (though it’s easy to speculate given the trying economic times and the struggling direct market), and what will happen to the chain’s four stores’ worth of inventory, as there appears to be no liquidation or going-out-of-business sales planned. Newsarama will have more on the situation as it develops. (Full disclosure: I was an employee at Atomic Comics from 2002 to 2004.)
August 21st, 2011 at 11:17 pm
That is a shame. The Mesa store is what helped me get into comics. They had a great staff that was always ready to make recommendations. I now live in Seattle and have yet to find a comic store that is even half as good as Atomic Comics. This is a sad day for the direct market!
August 21st, 2011 at 11:45 pm
Tom, same here.I’m originally from Arizona. I live in Washington state too.Atomic will be missed.
August 21st, 2011 at 11:49 pm
I’m more curious to know what will happen to box holders who, like me, have been charged every week for goods and yet to pick up a few weeks’ worth of merchandise. I guess I could dispute the charges if there’s no way to get at the goods but this is a real shame…
August 21st, 2011 at 11:53 pm
Allegedly, they’ll transfer your box to another place to be picked up. Details will allegedly come.
August 22nd, 2011 at 12:53 am
My wife Moryha and I own Samurai Comics in Phoenix. Mike Malve called me tonight with the news. Atomic Comics was a pioneer in comics retailing– This is sad news indeed.
Chris, Mike Malve told me that he is working on making sure all prepaid comics make it into the hands of the box holders.
*sigh* technically we were competitors but Mike Malve and I have been friends for many years. When I finally took the plunge and started my own store 9 years ago, Atomic Comics was an inspiration. They really moved comics retailing forward.
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:28 am
All of the AZ comic store owners have always been very friendly with each other, as well as each other’s customers. There’s always been a real sense of community here.
I’ve been purchasing odds and ends from Mike Malve for over 25 years (back when before he had Atomic he ran out of the back of a used bookstore) and he’s always remembered me, always said hello, and constantly surprised when I’d find more back issues to purchase from him because “I thought you already owned everything!”
My friends and I (all now ex customers and/or employees) have been talking about this all night. Just a stunning moment in time and waiting to see what happens next.
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:50 am
This is a sad day. Ever since I started vacationing in AZ, long before I lived here, I knew the guys at Atomic. When I moved into town, I got to know Mike Malve and every so often when I would swing by the Mesa store, he’d be there. We’d exchange a few pleasantries, talk about the state of the industry and which books were worth a second look. Of course I’d pick up the books in my sub and eye the shelves for other things.
I do hope that Mike finds his way back supporting the comics biz in some capacity. Meantime, there are a lot of good comic shops (like Mike Banks’ shop Samurai and Alan & Marsha Giroux’s All About Comics) and I sincerely hope that Atomic shoppers don’t give up on the industry when we need them the most.
Local retailers are the life’s blood of the industry. It hurts when any one is taken off the map. To have a whole chain go under? Pretty devastating.
~G.
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:39 am
Can’t say im surprised. When i moved to the area 3/4 months ago i searched for local comic shops and found the one at the chandler mall to be the closest. Went to check it out and was not impressed at all. Terrible numetal blasting out of the store, semi unknowledgeable staff, bent/torn covers.
It wasn’t a TERRIBLE store, just a little xtreme for my tastes. But then again, im biased because i loved the comic shop i went to in VA (Local Heroes in Norfolk Virginia)
Still sad though. I would never want a comic store to close
August 22nd, 2011 at 4:27 am
The central Phoenix location was a more than weekly haunt during my Phoenix days. A great place that will be truly missed.
August 22nd, 2011 at 6:42 am
I worked at that store for 9 years and it was a haunt of mine for 21 years. I truly feel like a friend has passed away. I raise my glass to you Atomic you will be sorely missed.
August 22nd, 2011 at 6:45 am
If you prepaid for a monthly comic order I would call your credit card company and protect yourself. The fact that no one knows what is going on should concern those people.
August 22nd, 2011 at 8:06 am
How sad. Another great store closes its doors. That says a lot for the industry. Took my books to Mail Order Comics last year – though I’ll miss Atomic – I have to say – though I felt bad for leaving Atomic – it’s the best choice I ever made. MOC rocks. Bigger discounts, great service.
August 22nd, 2011 at 8:37 am
I worked there in the mid-90s (back when the 2nd store was brand new). I hope nothing but the best for Malve and his employees. He’s a great guy, and I’m sure he’ll bounce back.
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:27 am
I’m sure the comic book retailing community appreciates your LOYAL support and your HEARTFELT condolences, George…
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:44 am
This is very sad day. I have known Mike for Years. Very Nice and Great Retailer. I like Mike and hope he does well in the future. If anybody needs a subscription service. I have a 20 % off one, at Greg’s Comics NW corner of Guadalupe and Alma School Rd . Mesa AZ 480 752 1881 I have been here for 19 years. The Comic Community has lost a great place to shop. Howard Harris
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:44 am
I’m just glad there are other shops in the valley to support my comic habit….like Samurai and Drawn to comics and hero comics.
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:54 am
My place of employment for 6 of the last 7 years. My favorite place in the world for the last 19 years.
I feel bad that customers didn’t get a proper heads up, but I am sure things will be worked out in the end for all customers.
It’s the end of an era, I am sad to see it go, but excited to start a new era and see what that brings us.
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:58 am
Such sad, sad news. I spent a ridiculous amount of my youth in those stores. Mike was always very supportive of the local comic scene. I wish the best for everyone involved.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:04 am
I had worked at Atomic Comics from June 1994 until October 2010. I now live in Portland and wish I was there to hug all my regulars and staff members who gave me a lot of hard work and dedication. Before working for Atomic I was a customer for 4yrs. I will miss that place and everyone who worked and shopped there. Thank you all for the loyalty, friendship, and love. I will never forget it I am truly heartbroken
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:10 am
Atomic Comics was inspirational! However, I am reminded of my very first and favorite store I used to shop in when I lived in Phoenix many years ago….Darcy’s Discoveries! That was an awesome store run by an awesome lady!
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:12 am
This is a deafening blow to the state of the comics industry and we should all Go and Support (All about books and comics, Samurai comics, Hero comics, Drawn to comics, Jesse James Comics, and Greg’s Comics) our local shops we need them to be here for our future with comics.
- DADICUS
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:21 am
I just wanted to add that best part of Atomic for me was the cool and helpful employees they had. I remember the ones that posted on here like Chuck, Julian, Shawn from the 90s. When I went back to visit Phx I’d always pop into Mesa and Chandler and sometimes Phx and I knew that I would be treated right. Atomic Comics owes alot of it’s success through the years for that reason. Here’s to you guys.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:30 am
Hey as a retailer I would like to offer my condolences, I know how hard things are and how unhelpfull diamond are. Diamond Comics are crushing the life out of brick and morter stores, its crazy, they except no returns, they offer no support to the retailers. frick all discounts. Im a Uk retailer and I pay diamond the same wholesale price as customers pay in-store for their comics in the USA. its a joke. I wish the companies would print euro prices on their comics to avoid this. But I am off topic. Good luck to Staff I wish you the best.
August 22nd, 2011 at 11:11 am
I have been a customer of Atomic Comics since the day that they first opened. I met so many great people over the years there and my best friends are people that have worked there. It truly is a sad day when this happened. I will miss Atomic for the new people it brings into my life and for the comics as well.
August 22nd, 2011 at 11:18 am
The market does not warrant four locations of the same comic shop. It doesn’t make sense considering the inherent dangers facing the industry.
Atomics wasn’t my favorite comic shop, but it still hurts when your options for a comic fix in AZ dwindle so drastically. Most areas are lucky to have even one comic shop, Mike went out of his way to provide four. But best intentions, I’d wager, are ultimately what led to this. Best of luck to his future endeavors.
In the meantime, fellow Phoenix comic crowd, we still have a few stores.
Drawn To Comics
JJ Comics
Hero Comics
Samurai Comics
All About Books and Comics
ABC always has what I’m looking for in stock and they’ve always been reliable in that sense. However my favorite is JJ Comics, a comic dealer in Northwest Phoenix who makes it a point to look me in the eye, shake my hand and thank me for my business on every visit. His location is not as “presentable” as most of the other stores mentioned but he knows that customers are the reason his store is there.
August 22nd, 2011 at 12:15 pm
Its sad to see a comic store shut down, but agree with JoJo that tryin to run 4 stores was probably the final nail in this economy. I used to shop at Atomic when it was located by the AMC over on in Mesa, that was when I found Atomic was at its best. I know shop at Drawn to Comics, over in glendale, It is owned by Ken Brown, He always welcomes his customers as they walk thru the door and does his best to make your experiance in his store the best it can be. He has a great box incentive and will be moving to a larger location soon.
August 22nd, 2011 at 12:23 pm
DADICUS has the right idea! Now, whether “This is a deafening blow to the state of the comics industry” I highly doubt it, but I agree we should definitely support and focus on supporting our local retailers and friends. So if that means I go buy a stack of back issues of wally the wizard from Greg’s comic’s to show my support…count me in!!!
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:24 pm
Come on Kelly I am trying to get the community up in arms about this so we can rebound from our loss but maybe a thinning of the heard will be beneficial to the other stores naturally.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:38 pm
I was an Atomic Comics pull customer (Metro Center store) for the 5 years I lived in Phoenix (2001-2006)… it was an incredibly friendly place, and always great to go and hang out. It makes me sad to see the long-lived stores going out.
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Bummer.
Been shopping at the Chandler locale for almost 6 years.
The employees are always knowledgeable and friendly and very patient as my kids roamed the store.
Bummer.
CJG
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:41 pm
this really does suck! i always liked the good folks at those stores. It is great to see a post from MRS CHUCK AMOK! I miss you mostest. Chuck, Mike, and Julien were just a small example of the passionate and helpful characters they employed and I hope all those who found themselves without a job bounce back quickly! A few years ago i left atomic for the greater discount that gregs comics provides, but I always still found my way back to atomic for sales, events, and just random searches for comics goodness.
Atomic you will be missed! For those in the east valley I do recommend GREG’S COMICS. it may not be as glitzy but the service is fantastic! I doubt this is the end, Marvel went bankrupt and they seem to be ok.
August 22nd, 2011 at 4:01 pm
There’s a number of great retail alternatives in the east valley, in addition to greg’s. There is a great selection of new comics and TPBs at Ash Ave. Comics & Books in Tempe (810 S. Ash Ave, just west of Mill Ave. and south of University), and Pop Culture Paradise has tons of CCGs and toys, along with comics. Check them out.
Support local businesses, keep money in the community!
August 22nd, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Chuck said it best: it feels “like a friend has passed away”. I have a special place in my heart for the chain too since it was my first job after moving to the Phoenix area in 1999. Even after leaving the company to pursue my career, I have gladly handed over many of my hard-earned dollars to continue to support my former employer. I have always been proud to be associated with the retailer that was so influential on the industry, brought many big-name artists to local signings, supported local artists, worked with the local libraries to provide graphic novels for reading, held regular tournaments and anime fests for fans to enjoy and socialize, was part of the Hero Initiative, and so much more. The void that is now left in the community is much larger than most people realize and will be hard to fill. Goodbye, old friend, you will be missed.
August 22nd, 2011 at 5:15 pm
Sad to hear. Atomic got me back into comics in the 2000′s when I took up a salespersons suggestion to try a new book called ’100 Bullets’. One of the best suggestions I ever got in a comic book shop.
August 23rd, 2011 at 8:27 am
As a retailer, I see what a growing amount of people want and it is reflected in this thread. They want the comfort, knowledge and ability to browse that a bricks and mortar store offers but don’t give a rat’s ass that the retailer is paying for that, so having browsed the product and picked the brains of the staff, there’s a tendency to then buy it from the cheapest internet site they can find, if they don’t pirate it, that is. These will be the people who will talk loudest about how awful it is that their local comic book store has gone. Jim Lee recently likened iPad comic sales to a small piece of cotton. If you only had that to start with, then taking it away will kill your business. Unless bricks and mortar retailers are invited into this technology quickly, expect closures to continue. We simply can’t afford for any more market narrowing. And if you’re the kind of thieving, know-all gobshite who is killing the comic industry, then your comments are as valuable as your custom. You helped close Atomic Comics and no doubt many more shops to come. You know who you are.
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:08 am
It is an Obama World after all….
August 23rd, 2011 at 12:36 pm
I started going to the Mesa AC back when I was 4. I was in daycare around the corner and my mom would take me in to pick up a book here and there. That’s how I learned to read was from comics. I eventually fell out of them and then back into them right before the accident of ’06 and I loved the place, the workers, they all got it. I wish that they had been able to consolidate it down into maybe the Mesa store and weather the storm but, it is what it is. I will continue to support the locally run businesses with my $5-12 a week and I know that that’s still but a drop in a well.
You know, all these replies really contributed to the discussion and further understanding of what happened. Until yours Bill. If you have nothing better to add than that I’d just refrain from posting at all.
August 23rd, 2011 at 2:28 pm
I too am a former employee. I agree with Chuck Amok (miss your face LOL) it feels like a friend died. Atomic will always be considered a 2nd home to me, I will always have fond memories of Malve, Bill, Julian, Miguel, Chuck, Jason aka the boy, Scott, Sato (RIP), Jim, Tom, Chuck and Celeste.. We rocked like no other team could better then the JSA, JLA, Xmen and Avengers combined. I too raise my glass and say goodbye .. DO NOT let this put you off comics true believers. you keep reading
August 23rd, 2011 at 4:47 pm
HI! as a fellow retailer (i’m from Argentina) it’s very sad when a store closes down.
The best for all the people in AC.
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:11 pm
Great store, good selection, but the majority of their employees were either geek elitists, or douches. I rebember staring a pull list there a few years ago just because they were around the corner from me. Found another shop with better customer service. worth the xtra gas.
August 24th, 2011 at 10:39 am
Marty, well said. It’s the thieves doing the illegal download thing that will kill our hobby. I fear the digital release plans will simply makes it easier for the crooks to so their thing. I hope not; I hope the stores survive.
I’m going to head to a local comic shop now to buy something; I just have to. (Amazing Fantasy in Calumet City, IL.)
September 13th, 2011 at 6:47 pm
I’m said to hear that they closed. I was just in the Mesa store in early August when I was visiting Arizona. It did seem a bit rundown from the days my younger brother worked at that store from 2002-2004.
December 28th, 2011 at 6:16 am
Hay lam, phat huy nhe
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