Time Warp Comics Owners Talk Surviving Digital Retail & How Hollywood Can Help Your Local Comic Shop

Each week, we’ll be highlighting a fantastic local comic book shop recommended by our team or our readers. To kick things off, I visited Time Warp Comics in Boulder, Colorado – a place I knew well from my childhood. For over 40 years, Time Warp has been the place to find comics, science fiction and fantasy books, fun collectibles, and even pogs back in the day! Recently, the original owner, Wayne Winsett, passed the business on to Kelly Cooke. As a loyal customer who learned everything about superheroes from Wayne (knowledge that actually helped me become a film critic!), I spoke with both of them about Time Warp’s history, how it’s stayed successful, and its plans for the future.

Do you want to see your local comic book store featured on our site? You can nominate them by sending an email to shoptalk@comicbook.com. Please tell us a bit about your connection to the store, what you love about it, and why you think it would be a great addition to our ComicBook Shop Talk series.

Time Warp Comics

Website: https://timewarpboulder.com/	Email: wizards@timewarpboulder.com
Address: 5290 Arapahoe Ave Unit K, Boulder, CO 80303	Facebook: TimeWarpComicsBoulder
Phone: (303) 443-4500	Instagram: TimeWarpBoulder

The Time Warp Comics Origin Story

Ben Kendrick: You and i have known each other a very long time now, probably 35 years?

Wayne Winsett: I’d say that’s pretty darn accurate.

Ben is asking about the history of the comic shop. He remembers it originally being on Pearl Street when the owner also had a shop there. He’d like to hear the story of how the owner first got into comics, and then how they decided to open their own store.

Growing up on Long Island, one of my earliest memories is going with my grandmother to meet my grandfather after work at Grumman Aircraft. While we waited, we’d always stop at this place across the street called The Farmer’s Market. They had a small booth selling used books and comics, and right next to it was a little theater that played ‘Little Rascals’ all day – it was awesome! I loved being able to catch a showing and then dig through those comics with my grandma. Best part was, they were super cheap – only a nickel each!

I started reading comics when I was a kid because I struggled with reading, and they really helped me improve. I quickly became hooked, reading everything I could get my hands on – Archie, Harvey, and especially the DC superheroes like Superman and Batman. Those comics from the 1960s were pretty silly, but they were fun and easy to read, and that’s how my love for comics began. I essentially taught myself to read with them, and I’ve been addicted ever since I was very young.

I discovered a passion that has stayed with me ever since. After leaving the Air Force in the late 1970s, I moved to Colorado and my wife introduced me to Boulder. She pointed out a small comic book shop and thought I’d love it. I’d never been to a dedicated comic shop before – back then, we mostly found comics in grocery stores or convenience stores with rotating displays. But driving down Arapahoe into Boulder, we arrived at 1717 Pearl Street, home to the original Mile High Comics. It was a long, narrow store, and I remember buying Howard the Duck #1 and many other books I couldn’t find anywhere else.

I initially went to the University of Colorado to become a pediatrician’s assistant. During a break between my second and third years of college, Steve Swink, who managed the Mile High Comics store at the time, offered me a summer job. I happily accepted! I’d always been a regular customer, and I even helped them unpack new comics so I could be the first to get my hands on them – I was completely hooked. I started working there that summer, and then Steve left to work at Geppi’s Comic World in Baltimore. That’s when I became the manager. Of course, Geppi also owned Diamond Comics, which is a complicated story for another time.

Kelly Cooke: I could talk hours about what happened with Diamond.

I was working at a comic book store when I was around 20 years old. The store had a section for science fiction and fantasy books downstairs and comics upstairs. My boss was a surprisingly savvy 14-year-old named Tim Miller. I actually told him I wouldn’t take orders from a kid – we laugh about it now because we’re good friends! When Steve left, I became the manager. A couple of years later, Chuck Rozanski, who owned five stores, decided to focus on online sales and offered the stores to his managers. I was going through a divorce at the time and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life. I thought I could run the store better than it was being run. Everyone – my parents and lawyer included – warned me Chuck was setting me up to fail, but I was 30 and decided to take the risk anyway. All the Mile High Comics stores were independently owned at the time, operating as affiliates. That’s how I got started. I bought my store on September 29th, 1984, and it’s amazing to be reflecting on that today, exactly 41 years later.

Ben: What a coincidence! That’s really cool.

Wayne mentioned he posted on Facebook celebrating the anniversary of Time Warp, and that post is actually how he first became involved with it.

Ben: That’s incredible! If I recall correctly, you mentioned the name ‘Time Warp’ originated from a pinball machine?

It definitely was a special time! The Rocky Horror Picture Show was a big part of it. I also had a really great pinball machine stored away, and Kelly’s going to bring it over soon. Back then, we focused mostly on science fiction and fantasy – even more than comics. So, having the movie, books, and a pinball machine all together just felt right. I originally wanted to call the store ‘Fantasy Works,’ but someone else in Denver, Mark Hamilton, already used that name for his shop.

He decided on the name “Fantasy Works” for his store a couple of months ago, which meant I needed to come up with something different for mine. I was walking around the Pearl Street Mall when the name “Time Warp” just popped into my head, and it felt right, so I went with it.

Navigating The Evolution of Comic Book Retail

Ben: When you first started selling books, you eventually began focusing more on rare and collectible items. Do you think that shift was driven by what customers were starting to look for, and you needed to adapt? Or was it something you became personally interested in that you then offered to your customers as well?

I always loved comics, and I was really into them. But I started discovering fantasy and science fiction books, and I enjoyed those even more. I used to spend hours at a book distributor in Denver called Gordon’s, finding new titles for my store. It was a lot of fun! I became a big fan of Philip K. Dick, as well as other sci-fi authors like Heinlein and Asimov. However, the business changed. Stores like Borders and Barnes & Noble started carrying a lot of books here in Boulder, and they offered discounts to members. It just didn’t make financial sense to keep selling books. Around the same time, things like Pogs, Pokemon cards, and Magic cards became popular. I realized you can’t survive selling only comic books. You need to offer a variety of products, and when books didn’t work out, I had to find something else. That’s how I started selling trading cards, then action figures and statues, and now it’s constantly evolving.

Ben mentioned his dad still owns a Batman statue from around 1992, one of the larger ones you used to sell. He remembers it showing Batman standing on a gargoyle and that you originally sold it to their family.

You know, I actually still have mine – it’s a really neat collectible. I remember your dad getting one of those smaller Wolverine figures too. It was such a fun time tracking down unique items that nobody else had, and it was a cool little hobby to have on the side.

It’s amazing to see how everything developed, especially since some of those early pieces were truly beautiful. Now, companies like Sideshow Collectibles and Prime 1 Studios are creating incredible things. I remember a Batman statue being the first time I saw artwork from a comic book actually made into a physical collectible. It was one of those ‘grail’ pieces everyone wanted as a kid. Around the same time, other collectible areas like Pokemon and action figures started becoming popular. But looking back, what would you say was the biggest challenge you faced during all of that? What was the most difficult part? It’s tough because many of the Mile High Comics affiliates you mentioned eventually went out of business.

I was the only one of five people who fully repaid the $225,000 I owed to Mile High Comics. It was a ten-year payment plan, and I was really glad to finish it. Sadly, two of the others passed away, and two more were unable to keep up with the payments. One person simply stopped trying, and I remember Chuck just giving up on it.

Ben shared that he always admired how, even when swamped with work, the owner would always take the time to chat and connect with customers. He mentioned knowing Ben’s dad and Ben personally, and felt it was a special talent – a real ability to build relationships. Ben wondered if that connection with people was key to the store’s success, allowing it to thrive when others failed.

One of the most rewarding parts of my work has always been sharing my passion with others and getting them enthusiastic about the same things. It’s fantastic when you can confidently recommend something and know they’ll enjoy it – that they won’t be disappointed. At Time Warp, we always prioritized customer satisfaction, and I believe that’s crucial for any small business.

I completely agree. One of the things that drew me to your shop 33 years ago was how you could talk about any comic book – from mainstream DC titles to more obscure underground comics. You always had great recommendations, even if it wasn’t something you personally enjoyed, saying, ‘You should check this out, I think you’ll love it.’ I believe that’s a huge reason Time Warp is still thriving. Anyone can buy comics from Amazon, often cheaper and faster, but we need to give people a reason to come into the shop. For me, it’s all about the experience – that’s why I want to visit a physical store. I enjoy chatting with people, browsing, and discovering new things. That personal connection and the joy of finding hidden gems are simply irreplaceable.

Comic Book Store Regular Turned-Owner

That was a smooth segue. You both have known each other for a long time. Now that you’re the owner of the shop, and therefore carrying on its history, can you share your first memories of Wayne and being here?

I have a few favorite memories of growing up here. I used to spend a lot of time exploring the town with my friend Ty. One day, we drove past a shop on Pearl Street and thought it looked interesting, but we didn’t go in. The next day, a friend named Luke invited me to a comic book auction, and I went along. That’s when I first met Wayne and discovered his shop – it was his seventh anniversary sale, and there was a huge cake. Everyone was having a great time, and I especially remember Wayne’s son grabbing a massive piece of cake with his hands and running around with it. It was a really fun and memorable night.

I remember the exact moment I realized this wasn’t just a store, it was something truly special, and I wanted in. That night, I bought my first comic from Wayne – it’s still hanging right over my front door! From then on, he was my guy. I wasn’t building a massive collection, but I’d always stop by to chat with Wayne. He always had the best recommendations, and they always had what I was looking for – we really pride ourselves on keeping things in stock here. It was always, “Hey, check out this great trade I just got in!” But honestly, that first experience with Wayne, that connection between people who just love comics, that’s what really got me hooked. For a good two or three years, that store was a daily part of my life. Life happened, you know? Girls, high school, college… but I never completely lost my passion. I stopped collecting individual issues for a while and started focusing on trade paperbacks – a great way to dive into the stories.

One day, my dad, who still reads the newspaper, sent me an article from the Daily Camera about Wayne looking to sell his comic book store. He’d been running it for 40 years and was ready to retire. My wife and I initially laughed it off – who buys a comic book store these days? But as luck would have it, we were in Boulder visiting a pet store nearby and decided to check out the store. Wayne was there, and after talking with him, we both felt strongly that we wanted to buy it, and we were determined to make it happen. It’s been amazing. We really value the reputation Wayne built over the years, and we think that’s key to our success. We want to build on that legacy, attract new customers, and especially get a new generation of kids excited about reading comics.

Ben asked if being in a college town played a role in their work, or if they had ideas about how to connect with students even more. He figured the constant influx of young people could be helpful.

Having college students as customers was always key – they have spending money when they’re in town. Our first shop on Pearl Street was great because it was close to campus. The second location on Arapahoe and 28th also worked well since students could easily walk down the hill to get there. Moving to the north end of town was a big mistake, though. It meant students had to take two buses to reach us – from campus to Pearl Street, then another bus up to 28th. I didn’t realize that when I chose the location, and it was a foolish decision. We tried to attract students with ads and coupons distributed on campus, offering a small discount. But that backfired because the students were clever – they’d collect stacks of coupons and use a different one every time they came in, essentially reducing our profits. We weren’t making as much money as we needed to.

College students are really important customers for our store. This year, my wife Dottie and I went to the University of Colorado Boulder during the first week of classes. We set up a table right next to the Starbucks in the UMC at 8:00 am and talked to students non-stop until 5:00 pm. We had a lot of extra comics and free comics from Free Comic Book Day, and we were handing them out to everyone. We gave out cards telling them what to look for when they visited our shop. The following week, we definitely saw an increase in customers, and the week after that, we started seeing a lot of new faces. They were asking basic questions like, “I’m new to comics, what should I read?” It was great to see.

I truly believe it’s crucial to get kids engaged. I’ve been visiting elementary and middle schools to talk about the power of storytelling. Recently, I led creative writing classes focusing on concepts like the Hero’s Journey, and we even explored the history of comics and their cultural impact. What Wayne said about the importance of reading really resonates with me – it can’t be emphasized enough. I’ve seen it firsthand with my own daughter. She absolutely hated reading. She’d have a complete meltdown if you tried to get her to read. We even nicknamed her the Tiny Pink Hulk! But then I gave her a Wings of Fire graphic novel, and she devoured it in about two hours, immediately asking for more. Now, she reads constantly – at least two books a week, and all sorts of comics, both online and in print. I share this story when I visit schools to show kids that reading can be exciting and artistic, and that it opens doors to everything else.

Interestingly, Art Spiegelman, the creator of the graphic novel Maus, once said, “Comic books can help people learn to read.”

Ben shared that his daughter is a big fan of the Scooby and Krypto mini-comics. She enjoys them because of the bright illustrations and simple stories that are easy for her to understand. She also loves the slapstick humor and fun sound effects like “zip,” “zap,” and “boom” that she can easily repeat.

Comics are a great way to help kids learn to communicate. When we talk, only about 7% of what we convey comes from the actual words we use. The rest comes from things like our tone of voice, pauses, and body language. Comics are special because they show both the words and those non-verbal cues. This is really helpful for new readers who are still developing their ability to visualize scenes and understand what’s happening, because the pictures give them extra clues that they might miss in a regular chapter book.

How Comic Book Retail Changed (& What Still Needs to Change)

As we talked about before, a lot has changed since I started in the comic book business. Back then, there were no computers or cell phones – everything was done manually. We used index cards to keep track of what customers wanted. For the first five years, I only had one regular female customer; it was a very male-dominated field. That’s really shifted, especially with the rise of manga and titles like Sandman, which appealed to girls. Distribution methods have also changed dramatically over the years. We used to rely on monthly auctions just to cover our costs and pay Mile High Comics, and I did those auctions for 25 years – it was a huge amount of work!

Those events were really clever and enjoyable. I have fond memories of attending them with my dad. We always knew exactly which prize we were going for.

Kelly explained that attending auctions meant potentially spending a lot of money, and you really had to want the item badly. This happened even before eBay existed. She fondly remembered those auctions, saying they were wonderful experiences and some of her best memories within the fandom were made at them.

I really enjoyed it, and when COVID hit, we needed a new way to earn money. Our sister store, I Want More Comics in Thornton, was running something called “Stream Sales.” They’re similar to auctions, but with fixed prices. We do them online, about once a month. We used to do them every other week, and that was a big help after COVID. We’ve built a great online community, with people participating from all over the country – Florida, Texas, and many other states – and it’s been very profitable.

That’s awesome that you’ve managed to create a fanbase beyond just your local area. I started this series to highlight how important it is to support local businesses, so it’s really encouraging to see you’ve gained support from people outside your community too.

Last month, a couple visiting from Berlin came into the shop and were amazed – they said stores like ours don’t exist in Germany! We’ve started discussing shipping them every new Marvel comic each week. At the same time, we’re really focusing on building a local customer base, especially by reaching out to nearby schools and inviting kids to the shop. I believe that’s key to our success. We just started a Dungeons & Dragons club on Thursday afternoons to introduce kids to the game, and it’s already proving popular.

I’d eventually like to start teaching others how to run great games, specifically focusing on world-building and creating compelling characters. It seems like a lot of people are experiencing D&D through things like the movie, The Big Bang Theory, and Stranger Things, which has made it more popular than ever. I actually started playing with the very first edition of the game, and I love being able to share that passion with kids. It’s wonderful to see them get so engaged and then leave wanting to explore more – that’s exactly how I became a fan myself. It’s amazing to witness a new person dive headfirst into this incredible hobby.

The Frustrating Disconnect Between Superhero Movies & Comic Book Retailers

Ben points out a big difference between who goes to see Marvel and DC movies, and who actually reads the comic books. He’s wondering how to bridge that gap, as it seems no one in the industry – neither the studios nor theater owners – has figured out a way to do it yet.

Wayne explains that selling comic books in theaters, like they did with the first Batman movie, helps people become aware of the medium, which is great, especially with so many TV shows and movies coming out. However, this interest is often short-lived. Moviegoers might ask about the source material, but rarely return to comic shops. Retailers have struggled to capitalize on this temporary boost in interest. Wayne believes movies should encourage viewers to visit local comic book stores with a simple message and address at the end, but historically, any efforts to do so have been funded by the retailers, not the studios.

I always thought it would be amazing if the movies included something – maybe even a simple QR code after the credits – that linked viewers to their local comic book stores. That’s actually a big part of why sites like ScreenRant and ComicBook, and the ones like them, did so well – we connected fans with where to find more information. You really taught me how to be a true fan and talk intelligently about these stories! Because of that, I can make informed predictions about what to expect in Avengers: Doomsday based on the comics I’ve read. Honestly, I think that’s why fan sites have thrived – the studios weren’t doing a good job of connecting fans with the source material and driving them to comic shops to learn more for themselves.

Wayne: It’s the missing link.

As a lifelong movie and comic book fan, I think a big part of the MCU’s current struggles comes down to expectations. See, comic book readers like me are used to huge, sprawling storylines that can last for years, with different writers and artists constantly changing direction, retconning things, even completely rebooting universes. We’re okay with that! But a lot of the people now working on the MCU come from a more traditional movie background, where sequels are expected to build logically on what came before. They’re judging the MCU by the rules of movies, not realizing these are essentially comic book movies. I think that’s been their biggest mistake – trying to make something that feels like a standard blockbuster instead of embracing the wild, unpredictable nature of comics. I love that the MCU brought so many new fans into the fold, and I want everyone to enjoy these stories, but they haven’t quite figured out how to satisfy both the comic book veterans and the newcomers. It feels like they’re still searching for that sweet spot.

Ben points out that movie adaptations often simplify the stories from the books they’re based on. He uses Captain America: Civil War as an example, explaining that the film presented a conflict that, while epic in the comics over many months and with multiple viewpoints, was rushed and resolved within the movie’s runtime. He also notes that as the Marvel Cinematic Universe becomes more closely aligned with the often-complex storylines of the comics, some viewers are losing interest and are simply craving more straightforward Spider-Man content.

I love the spectacle of the Marvel movies – the huge action sequences, Thanos’ snap, and all the impressive visual effects. That’s a major reason people, including me, go to see them in theaters. It’s an amazing experience you can’t really replicate at home. However, these movies aren’t the same as the comic books, and the way they’re presented is different. When the films start introducing obscure characters or storylines that aren’t well-known, it can confuse or alienate viewers who aren’t familiar with the source material, pulling them out of the story and making it harder to win them over as fans.

Ben asked if the other person remembered thinking the 1989 Batman movie was the first time they felt the superhero genre was about to become really popular.

Yeah, I had a feeling it would happen. They’d tested the idea with a few other projects beforehand, but the 1989 Batman movie felt like a real turning point – incredibly important for the decade. Honestly, most of what came before that, with a few exceptions, wasn’t very good. The 1966 Batman TV show, for example, didn’t feel serious. This movie finally treated the character with the respect it deserved, and both Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson were fantastic. It made me think, “Wow, this could really be something,” and look at how popular Batman is now!

The 1989 Tim Burton Batman film was a turning point. Before that, it was hard to get people interested in superhero stories. But Batman created a shared understanding – suddenly everyone knew who Batman was and was ready for a movie. Then, the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man film came along and really changed the game. It was great because it broke the typical superhero mold by focusing on a relatable teenager dealing with everyday problems, and audiences connected with him instantly.

I’m really curious to see where James Gunn takes DC. I actually thought the recent Superman movie was good, even though the trailers didn’t grab me at first. I appreciated a lot of what Zack Snyder did with those films, even if they were pretty dark. But honestly, right now I’m more excited about the movie coming out in 2025 than I was about the Snyder films.

As a huge cinema fan, I absolutely loved the Snyderverse! That four-hour movie was a commitment – my friend Bill and I tackled it in one sitting – but if you’re willing to put in the time, it’s seriously rewarding. It’s a long one, though, no doubt about that. Then, when they brought in David Corenswet, I was really impressed with what James Gunn did. He’s a fantastic storyteller, and the way he immediately establishes the setting with those wastelands is brilliant. He jumps around in time so effectively – showing us scenes from 300 years ago, 30 years ago, and just moments before – it really pulls you in.

The movie immediately establishes that Superman, despite his powers, is vulnerable. We see him get hurt, showing he can bleed and lose – which is crucial for making him relatable. This vulnerability is first highlighted with Krypto, his dog, and becomes a central theme. Superman isn’t focused on revenge or simply eliminating threats like Lex Luthor; his priority is protecting Krypto, even at great personal cost. The entire movie builds towards the satisfying moment when Kara rescues Krypto, revealing he wasn’t even Superman’s dog originally. Superman’s willingness to sacrifice everything – even imprisoning himself in a kryptonite vault – for the dog grounds him as a character and makes him understandable. It’s this act of selfless devotion that makes him feel human and allows audiences to connect with him on a deeper level.

Comic Book Recommendations from 40 Years of Time Warp Expertise

Ben is asking for comic book recommendations. He imagines a new customer walking into the store and saying they want to start reading comics – what would Ben suggest they read?

There are tons of great comics, it really depends on what someone enjoys – whether it’s superheroes, horror, or something else. Over the years, I’ve found a lot I really love. Since we were talking about Superman, I’d definitely recommend All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison – I truly believe everyone will enjoy it. I could easily spend half an hour listing comics I’m confident people will love, but that one’s a great place to start. The classics like The Dark Knight for Batman are always good, and Maus is a very important read. Watchmen has also been a favorite of mine, it’s a really thought-provoking book.

Ben: Is there one that you personally love the most out of your entire collection?

Wayne really enjoyed the Thanos storylines, especially the Infinity Gauntlet. He thinks it would make a fantastic animated series to cover the whole saga.

Kelly mentions having a large collection, especially of the Legion of Superheroes, which she’s always loved. She agrees with Wayne that there’s so much material available that the question of ‘what should I read?’ is difficult to answer. When someone asks for a recommendation, she first asks what they’ve enjoyed recently – both books and movies – to get a sense of their preferred genres. Once she knows the genre, she has a few go-to suggestions, like ‘Beneath the Trees’ for horror fans, or the superhero titles Wayne mentioned.

I’m really enjoying the Absolute Wonder Woman series right now – it’s fantastic. I’ve always been a storyteller, ever since I told my first story around a campfire when I was seven. I admit I can be picky, but it’s rare to find a well-written, strong female character who isn’t just a woman filling a traditionally male role. That’s the case with most female characters in media, but Absolute Wonder Woman feels different – it doesn’t feel like a man written as a woman.

She’s a really strong and capable character, but what makes her believable is how much she feels and cares for others. You immediately connect with her and understand why she does what she does. She’s incredibly well-developed, and I especially love her. I’m also really enjoying ‘Ghost Pepper,’ an Image comic that’s a fun departure from typical stories – it’s delightfully quirky. And ‘Exquisite Corpses’ is another favorite – it’s just fantastic.

Comics are constantly evolving, which is really exciting. For the past two decades, our top-selling title has been Saga from Image Comics, and it continues to perform exceptionally well. We once noticed we’d sold over 500 copies of the first Saga trade paperback. What’s great about it is that it attracts both male and female readers. Sandman achieved similar success in the 80s and was a landmark series – I even offered a full refund on it, but nobody ever took me up on it! There’s more content like that on the way, although the release of individual issues is a bit inconsistent.

Kelly says she also loves Saga, calling it a remarkably imaginative story. She especially appreciates how cleverly it retells the classic Romeo and Juliet tale – it’s so well-written that you don’t even realize that’s what it is until you’re already halfway through!

We’re grateful to Wayne and Kelly for participating in our ComicBook Shop Talk series and letting us test it out with them! If you’re interested in contacting Time Warp Comics, you’ll find their details at the top of this article. We encourage you to check out and support all the shops we feature.

Do you have a favorite comic book store you’d like us to highlight? Send us an email at shoptalk@comicbook.com to nominate them!

2025-11-01 17:45