Blastoff Comics Opens in NoHo Arts District [Video]

Comic fans of all ages helped welcome Blastoff Comics to the NoHo Arts District during its Saturday grand opening.

Many comic stores fell victim to the economic downturn of 2008. But for many fans, the art had never died, and the continued popularity of DC Comics' Batman, Marvel's The Avengers, and other recent films has proved the culture is still very much alive, if not stronger.

Jay Randle, 27, brought his 9-year-old son Dakotah.

"They're taking a risk," said Randle, and "I came as a sign of support," he said as his son grasped an Adventure Time comic book.  He's taken his son to many events, such as San Diego's Comic Con, and he enjoys meeting the writers and artists. 

Store owner Jud Meyers began Blastoff as an online business, he told Patch in an earlier story, and decided the timing was right to open a brick-and-mortar store. The Arts District has been lacking its own book store, as former About Town columnist Tiffany Kelly once noted. The event included signings by comic book writers Gregg Hurwitz, Jim Krueger, Scott Tipton (co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Blastoff) and Mark Waid.

View our video and photos to see the highlights of Blastoff's grand opening.

Blastoff Comics is located at 5118 Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood.

About this column: I'll be your adventure guide through the bustling arts district, Toluca Lake and the rest of North Hollywood, surveying theater, film, books, music, politics, places and people for your daily culture intake.

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