Shopping: Comic books are no laughing matter here

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2009, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

For one day on May 2, Night Flight Comics owner Mimi Cruz will become an evangelist.

She'll hand out free comic books to any and all passersby, talk up favorite titles with like-minded fans, and coddle the big-name artists she's managed to snag for store events. It's the day every comic-book fanatic looks forward to as if it were Christmas: Free Comic Book Day.

"From open to close, we encourage as many people as possible to come in," Cruz said. "It's fun, it gives attention to an under-appreciated American art form and -- don't tell anyone -- it's part of a secret, evil plan to get more people reading."

Of course, working to convert people into comic book readers is part of Cruz's agenda throughout the year. And she and store employees don't see Night Flight's downtown location at the Salt Lake Main Library as a contradiction. The store opened inside the library in 2003, and six months later was successful enough to move to a larger space outside on the courtyard, near the studios of public radio station KCPW.

The relationship between a public library and comics is only natural, said Josh Stasinos, a 13-year store employee. "There's something about being near a library that validates comics somehow," he said.

So validating, in fact, that soon after the move, Stasinos inaugurated his own "Josh's Bookshelf" near the counter, a prominent display of what he calls "the literature of comics." Among the titles is a graphic novel version of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein , illustrated by Bernie Wrightson ($29.95).

Short of the graphic novel adaptations of Marcel Proust's mammoth Remembrance of Things Past , in fact, you'll find almost anything comics related you're looking for at Night Flight. With a customer base geared half toward super heroes and the other half toward the graphic novel genre made famous by Love and Rockets and Eightball . According to Stasinos, Night Flight is a comics headquarters more concerned with stocking for the customer than the particular obsession of the owner or staff.

The works of writer Neil Gaiman sit ensconced in the glory of a single display table with Archie , Betty & Veronica and Jughead titles displayed near the door. Classic Will Eisner titles even your grandparents might recall lose no luster on the store's classy concrete floor, where you'll find painted logos for Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash Gordon, Green Lantern and Batman. A fridge stocked with energy drinks appeals to customers who might have worked up a thirst while browsing.

The soul of the store is its staff, which is every bit as enthusiastic about comics as the clientele. Cruz boasts a certificate of degree from Tromaville Junior College "as recognition for her singular and outstanding efforts in promoting World Peace Through Celluloid." That's a roundabout way of saying Cruz digs Troma's style of gonzo cult films enough to host the film production company's opening ceremonies in-store, as well as some film screenings next door in the library. Then there's Stasinos, who estimates he reads close to 80 comics per month to keep up with industry trends.

Customer Ryan Kane, who works as a marketing director and sings for local "psychobilly" band Spooky DeVille, finds all this comforting. That the store pipes in large doses of Nick Cave and Tom Waits through its sound system helps, too.

"There are a few other stores I frequent, but they just aren't as knowledgeable," Kane said. "They're really friendly here, too. Some comic store staff are so buddy-buddy with only certain clientele. Here, they acknowledge you."

Stasinos knows most customers well enough to dispense with stereotypes of comic fans as geeked-out obsessives who argue long and loud about their favorite titles. "I really haven't heard that much bickering between customers," he said.