Picture Story: The Comics Place

A passerby admires The Comics Place, a local comic book store, that sells a variety of comic books and collectors items. The Comics Place just recently moved locations, from across the street to where it is now on the corner of Bay street and East Holly street.

Jeffrey Figley, 24, helps a customer in The Comics Place were he works. Figley has worked at The Comic Place for about eight months and had previously been a faithful customer, visiting the store every week when they released the newest books. “Every wednesday I was outside the door waiting to get in before it opened,” Figley said. “It was probably my favorite place.” 

Customers meander the inside of The Comics Place, a store in downtown Bellingham. The Comics Place has recently expanded to a new, larger building, where they are continuing to promote self-expression. “I don't think that the shop should ever be limited to the idea of comic books, I think that comic books are a really great analog for creativity, and self-expression, and sharing yourself, and being genuine, and that’s sort of what super heroes mean to me,” Figley said. “I want that idea to be the store not just a comic shop but a real hub for creativity or open-mindedness.” 

Jeffrey Figley, 24, helps one of the stores younger patrons pay for a few new comics. Figley has been a fan of comic books since he was young himself, and promotes comic books as a means of self-expression. “It’s almost like a life-style. Nostalgic people who are always trying to be kids and be imaginative, trying to create, explore and beat-up bad guys,” Figley said. 

A family walks through The Comics Place, a store that sells a variety of comics and collectables in downtown Bellingham. 

The Comics Place has a large variety of comics, action figures and other collectors items. Located on the conner of Bay street and East Holly street in downtown Bellingham, The Comics Place caters to connoisseurs of comics and comic newbies alike.

Creativity Through Comics

Downtown Bellingham’s The Comics Place, a store selling comics and collectors items, caters to connoisseurs and newbie comic fans alike.

Store manager Roman Stadtler, 45, as well as the only other full-time employee Jeffery Figley, 24, run the store almost entirely by themselves.

Both Stadtler and Figley are big fans of comics having both been raised reading them. In Stadtler’s case, since before he could read his mother read him comics.

Recently relocated to the corner of Bay street and East Holly street, The Comics Place has expanded its size from a small room to a full store.

What keeps the industry alive according to Figley, is people who can pick up a random comic and read it without being overwhelmed by the many years and theories behind every comic book series out there.

“It’s almost like a life-style,” Figley said. “Nostalgic people who are always trying to be kids and be imaginative, trying to create, explore and beat-up bad guys.”

Stadtler and Figley hope to eventually add a lot more to The Comics Place, allowing people to express themselves in a variety of creative outlets.

“I don't think that the shop should ever be limited to the idea of comic books, I think that comic books are a really great analog for creativity, and self-expression, and sharing yourself, and being genuine, and that’s sort of what super heroes mean to me.” Figley said. “I want that idea to be the store not just a comic shop but a real hub for creativity or open-mindedness.”