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 For those
of you that remember School of Comics on Jefferson Highway and miss
the easy-going customer oriented atmosphere that inhabited the walls
of that establishment, then miss it no more. A new and improved
place to be a geek and be a part of a wonderful comic book community
has ARISEN. Jeff Walley, former manager and long time behind the
counter clerk of School of Comics has set up his own shop, Walley's
Pop Comics, in the heart of Mid City in Goodwood Village.
Walley's Pop Comics is not a generic comic book store. There is
heart and soul within these doors. I know because when I first
entered, before I even noticed the vast array of rare comics and
memorabilia, I met his adorable young son who warmly welcomed me
while he was occupying himself with a Wolverine action figure and
many others. My heart melted. Right then and there I knew that this
place had a soul and was worthy of a big write up. He is bringing
into Mid City a place for his loyal customers and fellow comic book
fans to unite, lounge, and have a "clubhouse" with which to
congregate. Now I have to ask just a few questions for inquiring
minds :
JE: Give us the background scoop about your comic book background.
Were you heavily into comics as a kid?
JW: My Grandfather was a Navy Seabee in World War II, and his side
job was as a barber. When he came back home he opened a barber shop
and sto cked
it with comic books for kids to read.. Some of my earliest and
fondest memories were of getting comics and bubble gum from my
Grandfather.
My elder brother had amassed a collection of old hand me down comics
from our Grandfather and Uncles. I remember coloring and drawing in
my brother's comic books, thus destroying what would now be worth a
small fortune. He soon learned that if he would draw Spider-Man for
me that I would stop vandalizing his comic collection, and he became
a fairly good artist in the process.
I learned to read with children's stories as wells as comic books.
My favorite comics growing up was always Spider-Man, but I loved the
classic funny books, like Richie Rich, Disney's Uncle Scrooge,
Archie, Hot Stuff, Herbie and similar titles. I continued to buy and
read comics until I was in middle school, that's when I gained
interest in other things like music and ladies.
JE: So what was the catalyst that prompted you to take the
entrepreneurial plunge and go into business for yourself?
JW: When I moved to Baton Rouge 6 years ago I responded to a want ad
for a comic store employee and was hired by the now defunct School
of Comics. It wasn't until I let the customers of the SOC know we
would be closing that I decided I had to open a store. The
outpouring of concern and support from the customers was immense,
they had all become my friends over the past 6 years and they wanted
to have a place to go talk about writers and artists, movies,
current events and anything else that came up.
 JE: What
do you feel sets you apart from other comic book sellers?
JW: With Pop Comics I want to create a place with a relaxed and
comfortable atmosphere, where anyone is welcome. The main reason I
have this business is to be part of the community. I don't expect to
make a fortune owning a comic book shop, but I want to be active
with people in the area. I want to give comics to children in
schools for reading programs and to be able give something pleasant
back to this City and State which has always been very kind to me.
JE: Who are some of your favorite up and coming artists and writers?
JW: I'm going to have to go all local here and give a huge shout out
to a few fellas:
Victor Gischler, a Novelist and Marvel Comics Writer, lives in Baton
Rouge (and shops at Pop Comics). Kody Chamberlain hails from
Lafayette, and is a phenomenal artist with many books under his
belt. Rob Guillory is an Artist that lives in Lafayette, also. He
has gotten rave reviews and is amassing a huge International
following with his distinctive art style on the hit book, Chew,
published by Image.
JE: What are your thoughts on the new Wonder Woman costume?
JW: The current costume change is not so drastic, her powers will
remain intact, but they are changing who she is as a character.
Wonder Woman was once Diana, daughter of Hippolyta, from the
Amazonian Paradise Island, Themyscira. She now will be raised in New
York City. I don't believe it will be a long term change, just
something to generate interest and short term sales.
JE: Who are your favorite hero/villains?
JW: Batman ranks as one of the top heroes and has since his
beginnings in Detective Comics #27 in 1939. Villains are a little
trickier though Batman's main nemesis, the Joker, has always been a
popular villain, along with Captain America's arch enemy the Red
Skull, or primary X-Men foe Magneto. I personally have always been a
fan of Spider-Man and his enemies, like Doctor Octopus or the
Lizard...
JE: What are your thoughts on the filming of The Green Lantern in
New Orleans?
JW: Super Hero movies, video games, and cartoons have helped
introduce comic book characters to a new audience that has never
read, or even held, a comic book. The fact that so many movies are
being filmed around the area lately adds another layer of interest
for the locals. Jonah Hex was filmed primarily in South Louisiana
and was based on a DC comic character from the 1970's. A larger
budget film, Green Lantern, is now being filmed in New Orleans with
Ryan Reynolds playing lead character, Hal Jordan of the Green
Lantern Corps, a sort of intergalactic military unit. With the
success of recent comic movies, like the Spider-Man franchise, the
Dark Knight, and Iron Man, it seems that Hollywood has fully
embraced comics as the next wave of 'Big Screen' Blockbusters.
JE: How has the economy affected the comic book market?
JW: The fact that people are more worried about money has somewhat
affected the comic collector market, but a vast majority of the
customer base that I have are devoted to getting their stories.
There may not be as much purchasing and picking up of new titles,
but established characters, or established Writers and Artists,
still sell books. The fact that most comics are serial in nature,
one issue ending in a cliff hanger so that you will be compelled to
buy the next, seems to still be an effective tool in selling books.
JE: About Frank Miller….what is he up to?
JW: Frank Miller, creator of Sin City and 300, and a prominent
Writer and Artist from the 80's has been tooling around in Hollywood
lately. After the success of movies based on his properties he was
given the reigns to direct a feature length movie based on Will
Eisner's character the Spirit. He is rumored to be working on two
follow up sequels to Sin City, and writing a prequel story to the
hit 300. He has also said that he would return to DC to Write and
Illustrate a Batman story called Batman: War on Terror, where the
Dark Knight fights Al-Qaeda agents, but nothing has been revealed
regarding any release date for the book.
JE: One last question Jeff that I have to ask…..BETTY OR VERONICA?
JW: Well, not unlike Archie, I do have a fondness for the ladies.
Recently Archie's marriage gained headlines and had people wondering
who he would chose as his betrothed, it turned out being an
imaginary tale where he pictures his life first married to Veronica,
then to Betty, and thus he never makes an actual choice. Me, I'd go
with the redhead, Cheryl Blossom.
I think Jeff made a brave and loyal decision to continue to keep
comics alive at a new locale. I think he has made his new home. I am
personally a big fan of Peanuts, Richie Rich, Archie, and Li'l Dot
and Li'l Lotta. Does anyone remember them? Welcome to the
neighborhood Jeff ! I will leave you now with one of my personal
favorite comic quotes:
"I cannot preach hate and warfare when I am a disciple of peace and
love!" -- Wonder Woman
WALLEY'S POP COMICS
711Jefferson Highway in Goodwood Village
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
www.walleyspopcomics.com
Look for him on Facebook too!
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