Holy comic shop, Batman
KAPOW! Huntingdon now has its own comic shop.
Niche Comics, in High Street, is the brainchild of Adam and Guy Makey who have been comic fans since they were children and decided to go into business.
The brothers, from Godmanchester, have just opened the doors to the public and are continuing to build up their stock of comics, graphic novels and games as the restoration of the building – which is believed to date back 500 years – nears completion.
Adam, 23, who has a degree in philosophy, said: “I didn’t think it would be possible to do something like this until later in life after I had had a proper job.
“But, serendipitously, a lot of coincidences came together and I want to make the best of the opportunity.”
Adam, a former student at Hinchingbrooke School, said: “For most of my life I have been reading comics, starting with my father’s old Beano and Dandy annuals which were in the loft.
“I think it takes the best of literature and the best of television and puts it together.”
Guy, 20, who studied catering after leaving Hinchingbrooke School, said: “I am running a business for the first time and for the most part it is really enjoyable to be doing something different, especially meeting people.
“My main interest is the graphic novels and I just like the whole idea of the marriage of words and images. If you go back a long time to the Egyptian hieroglyphics and the cave paintings of early man you can see daily life being depicted through images, in fact they are still all around us today with things like advertising and road signs.”
Guy said he became a graphic novels fan through the work of Northampton writer Alan Moore’s Watchmen books.
The shop sells a range of comics, graphic novels and games, including Warhammer and Magic the Gathering cards.
The brothers want the shop to be a community asset and plan to hold games sessions, readings and book signings as space in the building becomes available.
They are also keen hear what their customers want and are planning an online presence.
The partially timbered shop has been restored using traditional methods including green oak, wattle and daub and lime plasters.