Velvet Underground Comics in Las Vegas

  • Posted by Kuno
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Just a few minutes off the Las Vegas Strip, in an older part of town, set back from the street in one of the first strip malls the city ever built, sits a comic book store that is known by comic collectors nationwide.  It’s called Velvet Underground Comics. Previously called Riddler Comics, owner Steven Riddle – aka The Riddler- has been serving comic fans for over 20 years.

When I first walked into Velvet Underground, it was like stepping into another realm.  The interior was nothing that I had expected in a comic book store. I felt like I was in a comic book forest with the smell of incense in the air and the sounds of classic rock playing off in the distance….

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Velvet Underground has an extensive selection of old and new comics, over 900 titles in fact, as well as books, posters, t-shirts, figurines, just about anything comic-related you can imagine.

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Are you a collector of variants (the sporadic issues that have different covers)?  Steven stocks those, too.

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There are also titles by independent studios as well like guitar hero Tom Morello’s Orchid, put out by Dark Horse Comics. On one side of the store you will find the New 52 wall which still has many of the first issues available. If you haven’t heard of the New 52, DC comics gave themselves a makeover and took 52 of their best-selling titles and started over at #1.  The art is amazing and the storylines are pushing the envelope as far as what DC has traditionally been known for in the past.

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Perfect example, in the Catwoman #1 issue, Catwoman and Batman (not their daytime alter-egos) are shown in the throes of a one night stand. It’s risqué but not dirty; the art is beautifully rendered and I love the fact that they keep their masks on!

dc reboot catwoman 1 Velvet Underground Comics in Las Vegas

Velvet Underground has well over 40,000 back issues for sale which includes the largest selection of silver age comics (from the 60’s when they originally sold for 12 cents) in the entire state of Nevada.  Steven Riddle has even been known to break up a series from his own personal collection if someone really needs a particular issue.

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Aside from offering an extensive comic book selection, Velvet Underground has a variety of statues and busts for sale, like the first original Sandman statue which retails right now for $1,500, and many others including Lady Death, Batman, Thor, Catwoman, Lobo and Wolverine. See the statues and collectables album on their Facebook page for more.

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So which is the most popular comic book right now? The Walking Dead, of course. Fans are as ravenous for these books as the flesh-eating monsters depicted in them. (Okay well that’s an exaggeration but you get the idea). This best selling comic for the past five years spawned the hit cable TV show of the same name. Here’s a pic of The Walking Dead lunch boxes.

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Give Steven Riddle a call.  He is one of the coolest people you’ll ever meet and if you’re really into collecting comic books, you can sign up with his subscription service.  He will keep a list of your favorite titles on file and pull the issues for you as soon as they get them in the store. This way if you live in another state (or country) or you just can’t make it in on Wednesdays which, of course, is when the new titles hit the shelves, you can just have yours sent to you.  Here is the store information:

Velvet Underground Comics & Collectibles
(702) 258-2689
4241 W. Charleston
Las Vegas, NV 89102

http://www.facebook.com/VelvetUndergroundComicsLasVegas

Oh, and just a couple of reminders… Wednesday March 14 is Crossed Day (Get Infected Day) – the celebration starts at 2pm.  Steven ordered more promo kits for the event than any other retailer in the country. The kits contain masks, tattoos, among other things, and a special variant cover.  Food & drinks will be served and there will be a Crossedtume contest.  Winner gets a $100. gift card to the store.

Also, Saturday May 5 is free comic book day.  Every comic book store in the nation is reportedly going to be giving out free comics on that day.  You can go to Velvet Underground’s Facebook page for more information or visit freecomicbookday.com.

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