Comic book club hosts speaker

Liberty University’s Comic Book Club hosted local business owner Chris Garbee at their meeting Thursday, March 22. Garbee owns Untamed Worlds, a gaming and comic book shop, in Lynchburg.

Garbee spoke about the state of the industry and about pursuing a career in comics.

According to Tyler Flynn, president of Liberty’s Comic Book Club, this was not the first time Garbee came to speak to the club.

“The last time Chris spoke was in 2010, and the club members responded very enthusiastically to his discussion about the semantics of running a comic book shop, so we’re very happy to have him back once again,” Flynn said.

Garbee began selling comic books for profit at the age of 14. Along with owning his own comic book shop, Garbee runs and promotes the Roanoke Comicon.

The economy greatly affects this industry, Garbee said, and it directly impacts his sales.

“The business is fun but, unfortunately, it is going in a sad direction,” Garbee said.

According to Garbee, several major publishers in the industry, specifically DC Comics, have decided it costs too much to pay American comic book artists, so they are now looking to international comic artists.

Garbee encouraged students to voice their opinion and support for these struggling artists.

The majority of recent comics are declining in value, according to Garbee. He hopes that the rising dependence on technology, such as with iPads, Nooks and Kindles, will help this industry.

“Hopefully, the comic book medium will find life in digital media,” Garbee said.

For hobby businesses, like comics, Garbee suggested that it takes twice as long to see profit. Garbee said he puts in 80-90 hours a week as the sole employee running his shop, online business and the Roanoke Comicon.

“I do this because I love it,” Garbee said.

According to Garbee, a future entrepreneur of any industry should focus on the business of running a business.

Flynn said Garbee has been a long time supporter of the Comic Book Club.

“Many of our members are familiar with Chris, as we shop at his store regularly for comic books and gaming accessories,” Flynn said.

Flynn expressed the club’s excitement for Garbee’s appearance because of his increasing knowledge about the industry.

“Students attending the meeting will benefit from the interaction because they will get to receive an inside perspective on the comic book industry, such as the financial aspect of running a shop and a comic book convention,” Flynn said.

The Liberty Comic Book Club began in spring 2010 and meets biweekly with 25-30 attendees. During the meetings, they have group discussions and present recent news in the superhero and comic book world.

One purpose of the club, according to Flynn, is to provide a safe environment for those interested in comic books and other related subjects to discuss and be educated on the industry.

Flynn said the club continually engages the Liberty student body by offering events and activities for those interested in the club. Members are now planning a trip to attend the Virginia Comicon in Richmond. Along with events, the club is passionate about charities and raised donations for a troop overseas.

For more information, check the group’s Facebook page, follow the group on Twitter @LUComicBookClub or email tflynn@liberty.edu.