For those who love reading, the variety of material to get lost in is almost unlimited. One reading option that remains popular is comic books. Rocklin is known for being the home to excellent shops so it is no surprise that it is home to an excellent comic book shop. Ken's Comics and Collectibles is known for its vast selection of comic books as well as collectibles and games. If you love comic books, this place will be your nerding out destination for lots of good reasons. Read on to learn them.
Comics In the Early Years
Known as "The Funnies", the earliest comics were publications that showed art in panels with a written narrative that told a story in a humorous tone. While that type of amusing comic remained popular in newspaper publications, the comic books that came from "The Funnies" told a different story with a much more serious tone. The most significant event that formed what we know as comic book narratives came in 1938 and 1939 with the two most influential comic characters' appearance to date-Superman and Batman.
Superman's appearance first happened in comic books, but he crossed over to comic strips to appeal to kids reading comic books to adults reading his adventures in the daily newspaper. Once the radio started featuring Superman's exploits, his population exploded, and the rest is history. The same is true for Batman's appearance in the comic world. He too crossed the divide between comic books and comic strips. He made the same flight from paper to airwaves, and he also holds an important place in the history of comics. In fact, some say that Batman and Superman have only one other pop culture star who is more universal, and his name is Mickey Mouse.
World War II to 1960s for Comic Books
Between World War II and the 1940s, many circumstances led to comic books increasing popularity. During the war, it was important to provide troops with reading material, and one-third of the material sent to soldiers was in the form of comic books. The 1940s saw the creation of very popular characters such as Captain Marvel (later known as SHAZAM) and Captain America.
The 1950s wasn't a good decade for the comic book industry. All but three original superheroes survived the decline in popularity of comic books. For a while, it appeared as if several social forces would win against the genre known as comic books. But with a revitalizing of classic characters to appeal to a more modern audience, the genre survived thanks to characters like The Flash, the Atom, and The Green Lantern.
The 1960s saw an uptick in comic books' popularity with the first major comic book conventions starting up. Simultaneously, the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, and Spider-Man arrived with a huge force. Like the characters in their stories, the two major comic book producers, DC and Marvel, were fighting to see who would capture the comic book industry's top position. Eventually, the fight would finish with Marvel taking that coveted number one spot.
The Rest of the Comic Book Story
The amount of influx and force that shaped the next chapter in comic book history can't adequately be captured here. To say the least, there were visible and invisible punches thrown that caused significant upsets in the comic book industry. But at the same time, the list of new characters that came from that next era was substantial. Today, the comic book industry continues to enjoy its place in the hearts and minds who love the stories, adventures, and exploits of some of the classic characters, along with those who have been added to fight their way into the hearts and imaginations of readers all over the world. So, if you're one of those readers, Ken's Comics and Collectibles has a significant collection to keep your reading habits alive and thriving.
Ken's Comics and Collectibles, Has it All
Ken's Comics and Collectibles is a family-run business with a long history in the comic book shop industry. While the store hasn't been in the Rocklin area long, the owner has been in the comic book industry for decades. The store has a wide selection of all the classics and alternative comics. While I can't claim to be a personal fan of the genre, I raised two avid comic book fans and have spent hours patiently waiting for them to make a decision on which comic or collectible they'd spend their allowance on. I know an excellent comic book shop when I'm in one. Ken's Comics and Collectibles has everything going for it. Like any good comic book store, Ken's Comics and Collectibles carries collectible figures, t-shirts, gaming cards, paperbacks, and DVDs that comic fans want.
The shop is large with the selection that comic book fans crave because it includes new and vintage comics! Ken's Comics and Collectibles also hosts weekly events. But most importantly, the owner, Ken, is a person that engages his customers in the kind of banter unique to the comic book community. The material that captures their imaginations creates a foundation for hours of discussion. Ken's excellent at making sure customers feel that his store isn't just a place to buy comic books but that it’s also a community for comic fans to extend their passion for the genre into yet another world-the world of comic enthusiasts. Be sure and visit Ken's Comics and Collectibles to see what I’m talking about. You won't regret it.
Stanford Ranch Self Storage
Comic book collectors are serious about their investment. They put energy, effort, and resources into building a collection of comic books they want to hang onto. For some, their comic book collection becomes an heirloom they want to leave to future generations of family members. But these collections do take up space and that’s why self storage is a great way to make sure they are stored in a great environment. At Stanford Ranch Self Storage, we understand the importance of keeping valuable collections such as comic books organized and stored appropriately. Visit us at our state-of-the-art self storage facility. We're open and practicing social distancing. Our staff will take all the time you need to choose just the right size unit for your treasured collection. We look forward to meeting you, so please come by and see how we can help.
Ken's Comics and Collectibles is located at 4804 Granite Dr, Ste F3,
Rocklin, CA 95677
(916)824-2241
Hours of Operation are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday thru Saturday
12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays
