Jonathan Bowen’s The Comic Shop Tackles the Joys and Realities of Running a Comic Store

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Frequently, significant memories are linked to awe-inspiring and exploratory locations, and for many of us, including director Jonathan Bowen, the local comic book store served as such a place. This central hub introduced countless individuals to realms of science fiction, magic, fantasy, superheroes, and beyond. However, it’s the shopkeepers who breathe life into these establishments. In his new film The Comic Shop, Bowen delves into these themes, focusing on a small comic store and the people who animate it. ComicBook had the privilege of conversing with Bowen about his personal comic book journey, the real-life narratives that sparked the film, and the message he aspires for viewers to absorb.

Bowen initially delved into the world of superheroes and comic book stores not through comics themselves, but rather comic cards. However, his fascination didn’t stop there; in third grade or around that time, he found himself immersed in comic books. From then on, it was a gradual progression to games like Magic: The Gathering, Spawn, toys, and various collectibles.

In simpler words: Bowen’s first encounter with superheroes wasn’t through comics but comic cards. He later discovered comic books, games, and more around third grade. This led him to Magic: The Gathering, Spawn, toys, and other collectibles.

Through a comic book store is where he initially encountered Mike, who incidentally played the same character in a movie. Bowen cherishes his memories of Mike and the shop, but sadly, the store had to shut down one day. “I got to know this man over all these years, and his name was Mike. He was incredibly friendly, helpful, and just the perfect comic book store owner,” Bowen recalled. “He never forced anything on me, he seemed to understand my tastes and helped me find what I liked best.” Unfortunately, much like many others, a time came when Bowen returned to find the shop closed for good. “It’s like the saddest day. You walk up and wonder, what happened to it?” Bowen said.

Dreams vs Reality

In the movie, Mike’s story bears several similarities to what Bowen experienced before, and now as Bowen reflects on those times, he remembers the indications that things weren’t running as smoothly as they appeared off-stage.

It seems there were indications. He often spent extended periods at a bar across the street, primarily drinking, and delegated some tasks to other workers. Initially, he was the only employee, running a tiny store with minimal staff. As the years passed, he moved on to work for UPS, which was the last anyone heard from him. This led me to speculate that perhaps his passion for the business had waned.

Over the course of time, Bowen’s perspective has shifted, and this transformation is integrated into the narrative of The Comic Shop. This unique tale delves into the hurdles encountered in operating a comic bookstore, but it also addresses the broader theme of pursuing one’s passion, regardless of what that may be.

Reflecting on my past, I’ve come to understand that the dream I held as a child, owning a comic book store, was not what I imagined it to be. As an adult, I find myself managing a small business and suddenly, the reality is far from the excitement of my youthful fantasy. The bookkeeping, taxes, paperwork, dealing with clients and customers – it’s all so tedious and time-consuming. This experience made me question whether this dream was truly meant for me or if it was just a labor of love that I eventually wanted to move away from.

In essence, Bowen mused about a hypothetical scenario. He wondered, “What if Mike aspired to be an illustrator instead of pursuing his dream? What if he found himself creating corporate videos merely to earn a living?”

He related this to his own situation, as he too had a different dream – creating movies rather than making corporate videos. However, he was compelled to do the latter to sustain himself financially.

Consequently, Bowen merged aspects of his own experiences with Mike’s hypothetical ones, resulting in an interesting blend that depicted what life might look like when it doesn’t quite follow the path we had envisioned for ourselves.

A Perfect Lead

In the movie, Jesse Metcalfe embodies the character of Mike, a person who’s fighting to keep his head above water, much like his struggling store. This dual struggle is accurately portrayed by Metcalfe, immersing viewers in the world of Mike and the small comic shop that perseveres.

As soon as he was chosen, I felt thrilled during our Zoom meeting because he truly grasped the role. He didn’t need to be a comic enthusiast to appreciate the character’s hardships. Bowen explained that this character’s struggle is something many of us experience as we approach 40, when we start reflecting on our lives and where we thought we would be compared to where we are now, perhaps recalling our college days.

It’s challenging because it seems everyone has grand aspirations, and unfortunately, I believe many of us don’t end up precisely where we envisioned ourselves at 40. If you’re one of the lucky ones who made it there, congratulations! But for most of us, we find ourselves striving to reach that goal, yet wanting a bit more.” (Bowen)

Bowen praised Jesse for his thorough preparation for the role, commenting on how he brought a full binder with him and had notes for every line. This dedication to the character impressed Bowen, as it demonstrated Jesse’s genuine interest in the project and his commitment to delivering a quality performance. He contrasted this with the possibility of working with an actor who only cares about the paycheck and puts minimal effort into their work. Instead, Jesse seemed genuinely invested in the role.

Biggest Takeaway

By the close of day, Bowen encourages everyone to grasp the idea that no matter when in life, it’s never too late to connect with what truly stirs your soul, whether it’s comics or something else. Prioritize discovering your passion and carve out time for it. Most importantly, don’t allow self-doubt to hinder you before you even begin the journey.

It’s essential to connect with what truly inspires us, and this doesn’t necessarily imply abandoning your current job like Mike did. I’m not suggesting that if you’re 40, you should immediately join a local band with the goal of achieving stardom. Instead, I encourage you to find ways to incorporate some passion-filled activities into your weekly routine, even if it means setting aside just a few hours on weekends. This could be writing that novel you’ve always dreamed of, playing music with friends, or pursuing an artistic endeavor like illustration. I believe that nurturing our passions can bring significant fulfillment to our lives and help us find something truly exciting to wake up for each day. And remember, it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. There are countless stories of people who found success later in life.

Bowen emphasized that there are countless examples of individuals who have realized, ‘It’s not too late for me,’ and pursued their dreams despite self-imposed obstacles. He warned against setting such barriers yourself, as they might prevent you from achieving success we all enjoy. So, instead of waiting until it’s too late, take action now to avoid the regret that can linger later on. In other words, seize the opportunities available to you while they last.

Right now, you can stream “The Comic Shop” instantly on Amazon Prime Video.

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2025-04-23 22:40