Introduction and Editing by Jen Bateman
Howdy, comics fans and friends! It’s a hot hot hot summer, and that’s got all of us here at the MNCBA thinking about fall — MNCBA FallCon 2025, that is!
In the meantime, we hope you’re beating the heat and enjoying some fine literature by visiting one of the many wonderful local comic book shops located here in the great state of Minnesota. They’d sure be happy to have your business!
"Peanuts" by Charles Schulz from 31 August 1952
Did you know that your local library also has lots of air-conditioned activities to help you get the most out of the summer while staying cool? Check out the program listings for Ramsey County, Hennepin County, and Washington County.
WHAT’S NEWS
MNCBA FallCon 2025 applications are now open for all creators and vendors, including non-comic artists, illustrators, writers, and others!
Our volunteers have already begun working on the Grandstand floor plan. We are excited to announce that our Panel Room will be moving to the second floor of the Grandstand so that we can bring you even MORE creators, vendors, and fun! In addition to the central staircase, signage directing attendees to the Grandstand’s elevators will be in place to ensure our Panel Room is accessible to all.
Jen Bateman and Eric Childs at MNCBA SpringCon 2025
We are also hoping this move will help to improve the quality of our panel videos, which are available on our YouTube channel in the weeks following an event. We are aware that background noise and audio quality have been an issue, and we are working on improvements in those areas as our budget allows.
The Cosplay Team is putting the finishing touches on our updated contest categories and rules for MNCBA FallCon 2025. Watch for an announcement on MNCBA social media accounts later this month when updates are posted!
Last but certainly not least, a big welcome to Nick Palodichuk, our newest member of the MNCBA Newsletter Team! In addition to being a frequent creator exhibitor at MNCBA events, Nick is host of the St. Paul Filmcast.
Nick Palodichuk at MNCBA FallCon 2024
Nick will be sharing his analysis and reviews of comic book movies here in every issue. Join the conversation by sharing your own thoughts about these comic book movies with us on any of the MNCBA social media accounts!
WHAT’S GOIN’ ON IN THE TWIN CITIES
Legendary comic book penciller Paul Pelletier, known for his incredible work on G.I. Joe, Aquaman, Guardians of the Galaxy, and more, will be signing at Most Wanted Comics on August 9th. Visit the Most Wanted website for details.
Insert Name Zine Fest is coming on 23-24 August 2025 in Minneapolis, MN.
2D Con is coming on 22-24 August 2025 in Bloomington, MN.
Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes will speaking at the Cowles Auditorium, University of Minnesota Twin Cities West Bank Campus on 30 September 2025. Visit the Silha Center website for details.
Use this link to submit your news or event to us.
“BECOMING A VENDOR” by Stephen Henninger
If you collect for long enough, you may eventually consider selling your comics, toys, or collectibles. The reasons for deciding to sell are many, but the most common are usually because you have run out of space to store everything, you no longer collect a particular item or series, or — most often — to make a few bucks.
In this article, I will share some suggestions for how to make your experience becoming a vendor successful and fun. The first thing you must decide is if you will be selling along with a friend — a topic that could be an article on its own. I will focus on being a solo vendor, because that is how I did it.
The next obvious question is: Where do you want to sell?
I started by doing small shows. The table or space fees are lower, and it gives you a chance to have a test run before you invest more into a space fee at a larger show. One rule of thumb I use to judge the success of a show is that 10% of sales are equal to or more than my expenses, excluding the cost of inventory.
Basically — if I paid $100 for a space and made $1000 or more — I considered that a successful show. For the collector doing shows once in awhile, this is probably a safe formula. If you want to get more serious about it, you will have to get more serious about your bookkeeping and long-term goals as well.
There are other benefits to vending at a show besides sales. For established vendors and brick-and-mortar stores, your booth is an opportunity to advertise your business to new customers, as well as network with other vendors. Building name recognition and a positive reputation is an important part of long-term success.
Pricing your inventory is probably the most difficult part of becoming a vendor. I always check several sources. When using eBay, only check completed sales, but also pay attention to how many sold and the cost of shipping, especially if it is a large item. Price everything before the show; if possible, well before.
Remember, you always can come down in price, but you can’t go up.
Stephen Henninger at his former booth in Main Drag Vintage and Collectibles, North Saint Paul.
Have a good idea of what your space will look like in advance of setting up at a show. The most common tables provided for vendors are 8ft x 30in folding tables. If you have an 8ft table at home, you can stage your display and have it planned out beforehand. Don’t forget your tablecloth and under-table storage bins!
Have decent signage for your boxes as well as dividers separating series as much as possible. Most vendors have a “comic wall” for their wall books. YouTube has a lot of DIY videos on how to make them. Be sure to take into consideration how you will transport it, and how easy it is to put up and take down.
On the day of the show, arriving as early as possible and setting up as fast as possible is in your best interest. A lot of business is done between vendors, especially in the morning, so the sooner you are set up the better.
Have plenty of change for cash sales, and for cards have at least Venmo and PayPal. PayPal and other platforms have card readers available for purchase, which is not a necessity in the beginning, but will be needed as your business grows. You don’t want to miss out on a sale because you can’t accept the payment.
Also have plenty of bags, for all the products you are going to sell!
Most importantly, make friends with your fellow vendors, because that is the best part of doing this. Not only is fellowship important, but they may help you buy/sell, and vice versa.
“LOCAL SHOP SPOTLIGHT: DREAMHAVEN BOOKS & COMICS” Interview by Shawn Bramanti, Written by Sehee Snead
On April 1, 1977, Greg Ketter opened Star*Lite Books as one of the first few comic book stores to open in Minnesota. After undergoing several name changes and relocations over the years, DreamHaven Books & Comics remains one of the oldest comic shops in the Twin Cities. They describe themselves as specializing in “new and used science fiction, fantasy, horror, film and media books, comics, and graphic novels.” Their ever-changing selection includes Adventure Books, Pulp Magazines, horror, vintage paperbacks, used and rare books, toys, Beat and Underground materials, LGBTQ+ publications, and more.
Exterior of DreamHaven Books & Comics in Minneapolis. Photo by Sehee Snead.
Greg was kind enough to meet with us for a sit-down interview in his shop! Surrounded by stacks of comic books, toys, and movie reference props, the following reflects moments from the interview. Greg was the original and sole owner who built DreamHaven into what it is now. He described the comic book scene in the Twin Cities back in the 1970’s and remembers Dave Mruz, who would host comic conventions in his backyard from his own collection.
“I remember buying my first issue — Famous Monsters #1 from the 7th Street Schinder’s bookstore. My parents drove me over there when I was 16 and I’m amazed that they actually went to Minneapolis cause they hated the driving to downtown. But I bought it there for $25. They thought I was crazy.”
Lifesize props and masks at DreamHaven Books & Comics in Minneapolis. Photo by Sehee Snead.
“I was selling comics 5 years before I owned the store. I would go to the conventions, I sold some through the mail and at flea markets. My dad would have to drive me because I didn’t actually drive.” Then in the early 1970’s Comic City opened up in Minneapolis and I was there. It was exciting because that was the first storefront that had mostly comics. So, I immediately fell in love with that idea. I’ve always liked the big Minnesota State Fairgrounds Comic Book Conventions, now run by the MNCBA. The new shows are much more comic-centric and I like that. I’ve always been a comics fan.”
“I have wondered after almost 50 years as a storefront retailer what I mean to the community. Until they come in here and say ‘I’ve never seen this before.’ We try to put together things that we like, in one place, for people to come in and actually look and see what there is out there.”
Overflowing bookshelves at DreamHaven Books & Comics in Minneapolis. Photo by Sehee Snead.
“We are always looking for old print books for people. Taking orders from our customers for new stuff that we don’t know about. Somebody tells us about a book and we will look it up. We do a lot of special orders. For stuff that’s not comics or science fiction.”
DreamHaven Books & Comics serves as a fun shop of wonders as you browse for books, comics, or collectibles, because it is a living history lesson that reflects 50 years of being involved in the comic book community as a local comic book shop in the Twin Cities. So, come check out this unique spot and don’t forget to take pictures on the Captain Marvel Bench!
Together on the Captain Marvel bench at DreamHaven Books & Comics in Minneapolis.
DreamHaven Books & Comics
Where: 2301 E. 38th St., Minneapolis, MN 55406
When: Monday through Saturday 12:00PM – 6:00PM (Closed Sunday)
https://dreamhavenbooks.com/
“FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS” Review by Nick Palodichuk
Film Review Courtesy of St. Paul Filmcast
Stan Lee along with Marvel’s original publisher, Martin Goodman felt that adding bombastic adjectives to their comic book titles would help boost sales to kids and assist to differentiate characters in their world; the idea most certainly paid off. Both also felt that a team of superheroes would suffice when they started to introduce original superheroes, because at DC, their biggest selling was a team of superheroes of their own — The Justice League.
Cover of "The Fantastic Four" #1
Naturally, the family blend of the Storms and Richards, was forged. And Marvel still being Marvel in the Silver Age had to incorporate a monster in the team as well, The Thing. Ergo, The Fantastic Four was born — forged during the time in which space exploration was part of the American consensus. No doubt the production team behind this film are familiar with it, and also very familiar with the tone and theme of The Fantastic Four that fans came to adore. For the first time they finally got The Fantastic Four, right. Absolutely right, including the villains. Nostalgia for a time that wasn’t, but was in the Marvel world is the smartest decision to go with. It is the best Fantastic Four film since Roger Corman’s unreleased 1994 version.
Coming in hard with a great music score and outstanding production design Fantastic Four: First Steps is a fantastic ride. Costuming needs to be appreciated also. All three of those elements of the film are probably going to get some kinds of Academy nominations, for one or all three. It is the purest comic book movie Marvel Studios, and very faithful to The Fantastic Four of the comics and the cartoon. Much like the new Superman film we are getting a comic book superhero movie, not a movie based on a comic book. It isn’t a film that will be a darling for the film critics, but will be in the hearts of many of the fans. It’s a great blend of comedy and drama. It knows when to be fun and when to be serious. Although The Fantastic Four have an array of villains to battle, its most delicate conflict has always been their conflicts and differences between them. The film handles both flawlessly but not digging deeper, rather keeps most of it above the surface. What absolutely works is the chemistry of actors. You are convinced it is them.
"Fantastic Four: First Steps" Promotional Image
There is plenty there to enjoy a rewatch and countless others after. For its second phase Marvel Studios has been struggling and I feel one of the reasons is that it didn’t have the capability to incorporate The Fantastic Four in phase one. For Marvel fans seeing the emergence of its superheroes in the absence of them felt like a huge void. Now that they have the right tone and temperament it will be great to include them in future Marvel films. It’s hard not to say but Fantastic Four: First Steps is just…. fantastic. 8/10
EDITOR’S NOTES AND KUDOS
Congratulations to the 2025 Eisner Award Winners from the MNCBA!
Until next time, see you in the funny pages!
