After many years of fine ownership by Lennie Chancey, Comic Ink is now under the helm of Derek and Julie Strachan. While maintaining the hometown, family-run business feel of the old Comic Ink, Derek and Julie are beginning to leverage the internet to develop an online store at ComicInk.net, in addition to their brick-and-mortar store at 7980 Amador Valley Boulevard in Dublin, CA. “We are expanding and modernizing both the comic and toy selections, bringing in more kid-friendly reading, offering graphic novels, and lining up artist signing events in our store,” said Julie.

Derek has a long history working in retail with toys and comics. As an avid collector of comic books since the age of twelve, Derek is now living his lifelong dream of owning a comic book shop. In addition to offering comics and graphic novels, Comic Ink is also the top spot to pick up collectible toys, figurines, and other related items.

Derek and Julie plan to hold many special events at Comic Ink like the recent in-store signing with the award-winning writer Derek McCulloch, comic artist Greg Espinoza, and special guest Shepherd Hendrix. MuCulloch, Espinoza, and Hendrix are the creators of the graphic novel Pug. Comic Ink’s next signing in early 2011 will feature celebrated author Serena Valentino who has written Gloomcookie and Nightmares & Fairy Tales.

Graphic novels such as Watchmen and The Walking Dead have been adapted for movies and television. Derek is very excited about the interest in the many classic superheroes from Marvel Comics and DC Comics Hollywood has helped to generate. “We expect 2011 to be a fantastic year, especially with the releases of Green Lantern, Thor, Captain America, and Transformers III,” said Derek.

When discussing some of the most popular comics such as Batman and Spider-Man, Derek noted that comic book characters often die and then come back to life as part of a plot twist. “Everybody in comic books comes back to life – everyone except for Uncle Ben (from Spider-Man).”

Comic Ink is open 7 days a week and located at 7980 Amador Valley Boulevard in Dublin.