Meet a Downtown Business: Midtown Comics

11/11/2010
The new release wall at Midtown Comics on Fulton Street.
The new-release wall at Midtown Comics on Fulton Street.

Each week, the Downtown Alliance will feature a local business. This week, we’ll introduce you to Midtown Comics, which opened this week at Fulton and Gold streets.

The most noticeable feature of the newly opened Midtown Comics—a large, bright, second-story space at Fulton and Gold streets—is the new-release wall. It’s large (more than 80 feet long) and updated with 300 new books every Wednesday.

But perhaps what’s most distinctive about the wall is that it exists in the first place.

“Most places don’t have one,” said Gerry Gladston, co-owner of the three-branch chain. “But it’s what people want.”

Gladston’s experience as a video store owner for more than 20 years helped him come up with the idea for the wall, which is more common in those establishments.

The aisles, spacious for a Manhattan store, include sections for graphic novels, pop culture books, action figures and even gear for your next trip to Comic-Con. The store carries all the hottest titles—Batman, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Hellboy, Spider-Man, The X-Men, Wolverine, Superman, Speed Racer, Indiana Jones and Buffy the Vampire Slayer—along with a large selection of independent labels.

Over the counter are the real gems—including the $4500 X-Men #1—for the true comic book aficionados, a group Gladston clearly hopes to help grow.

“Not everyone’s an expert,” he said. “For some reason.”

Midtown Comics
64 Fulton Street
(212) 302-8192
www.midtowncomics.com

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