~ Comic Book Comeback ~
As big budget studios begin to team up with comic book franchises they take on the task of bringing to life the characters and complicated stories already printed on delicate pages. Whether you’re a fan of the movies or critique every discrepancy in the story arcs of the Marvel Comic Universe, or the DC Extended Universe; one thing is certain, this is the Golden Age of the Superhero Movie. Movie stars, who sign on for superhero roles, are now gracing the highest paid actor lists; and the related merchandise is almost flying off the shelves. Thanks to the popularity of the superhero movie, there is also something that people can’t seem to get enough of: comic books. If you don’t believe it, just try finding a first edition of the new Black Panther comics only a few months after its initial printing.
Having previously been treated as more of a subculture of social norms, the comic book was seen as a puerile hobby of weird people who also play video games and have an aversion to the sun and outdoor activities. In recent years, since the resurgence of the Batman franchise and the introduction of the X-Men to the mainstream movie world, there has been an increased interest in comic books if for no other reason than to understand the complex character and story arcs. People are beginning to read comics with a more respected understanding of this type literature. Having comic book knowledge is no longer a social sin, on the contrary, YouTube pages dedicated to comic book knowledge are receiving millions of hits from people looking to better understand and share their thoughts and theories.
Before the boom of comic books back in the early 2000s, the niche market of nerds, dorks and geeks who populated St. Maarten would get their material from the old RAM’s and Food Center book corner. For a very long time after that, they resorted to buying online and waiting for special shipping. Thanks to a very special little store, St. Maarten’s comic book enthusiasts have found a hub to satisfy their comic and minimal gaming fixes. Altern8ive is the name of the only store on St. Maarten to be solely devoted to selling comic books and comic book related paraphernalia. Its existence is a representation of how far the literary genre has grown in the past decades.
Stepping into Altern8ive may not be as easy as you’d imagine. There is a sort of deliberate wait between when you ring the bell and when you’re buzzed in. “It’s to deter too many people from strolling in,” explains the owner, Erjon. “Comics are very fragile in that the ink comes off very easily. Even something as harmless as placing one into the protective plastic wipes away some of the ink. So you have to be extremely careful with letting too many people in at the same time.” Doesn’t that take away from the experience? “It does a bit, because I’d love for people to be able to come in and read a bit of the other stories and get into them, but it’s a necessary evil.”
You may wonder how someone would think to get into a business like this, especially on St. Maarten, Erjon’s answer is simple: “I went into something I liked.” It’s clear from the interior that this store is a labour of love. Superhero posters line the walls and block out the light of the sun trying to shine through the doors. The counter is handcrafted and the walls are painted in bold blocks of colour. The lighting is muted to the point where the comic books are readable, but the bright fluorescents don’t offend your eyes. “It’s supposed to be like that, yes. I wanted it to feel like a comfortable little haven for people to come to, kind of like if you were at home.” But, if there is so much secrecy surrounding the store, you’d wonder how he gets people to come. “I try not to bombard the senses. What I have is a good product. It’s what people need and I make sure not to mark my prices up too high and I make sure I stay current with all the new comics. All comics range between $5 and $10 depending on the value and condition. It’s a simple business plan, but it’s working. I want to last, so the people have a place to get their comics for a long time to come.”
There is a great lack of places on St. Maarten where a person can find genuine solace, and Altern8ive is such a place. If you’re one of the few comic book enthusiasts on St. Maarten who doesn’t know about the store, it’s located above Intertoys in Cole Bay – go check it out.
