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Construction worker turned comic book store owner Johnathan Smith and his son Cameron will get you not just the comic book you need, but the comic book you deserve. Cameron’s Comics and Stuff is stocked with everything anyone interested in comics could ever want. Located at 175 N. Main St., the store is chock full of comics, games and other merchandise, and has been a popular addition to downtown Bowling Green since opening for business in fall 2017. After Johnathon’s wife passed away, Smith and his son bonded over comic books. Cameron was his inspiration to open his store, saying “I needed something to do that was closer to my son. He was interested in comics so this is what I did.”
Before opening the Bowling Green store, Smith operated a Cameron’s Comics and Stuff in Adrian, Michigan. When he decided to expand, Smith was looking for a popular downtown setting, and Bowling Green was a perfect fit; however, his sales were significantly higher here in BG, so he decided it was best to focus more energy into his more successful store and ended up closing the store in Adrian. Smith is no stranger to comics. He was a huge fan of “Calvin and Hobbes” in high school. One of his personal favorites is called Grizzly Shark vs. Sea Bear, which is about a shark that lives in the woods and a bear that lives in water. He laughs every time he thinks about the shark taking a bite out of a mountain climber getting a paper cut from a rock.
Smith says there is a comic book for everybody. Most people think of comics as only stories about superheroes, but there are just as many stories with plots similar to those in any other kind of book. The differences between the two are formatting and visuals. They are just more than words on a page. Comics are usually published in sequential issues, which are shorter with panels of graphics and less words to carry the story. The store’s walls are completely covered in comics and merchandise for sale. He said, “There’s a story out there for everyone. You just have to figure out what kind of story you’re after. What do you want? Do you want superheroes? Do you want something quick, fun and easy, or are you looking for something more story driven? Do you want crime? Do you want drama? It’s so much more than just what they make into movies,” he explained. Smith said there are an equal amount of comics about superheroes and about any other kind of story you can come up with. The store has shelves for $1 comics, new arrivals, graphic novels and popular comics. They are all arranged in alphabetical order by title and then in numerical order by volume or issue.
Comics, especially the most wellknown superhero stories, have historically been known as “nerdy” or “geeky;” however, superheroes have taken over the blockbuster industry. When new movies come out, comics fly off the shelves. Smith said he has to make sure he has extra copies of the stories coming to theatres, because more people come in wanting to read the stories before they see what Hollywood has turned into mega-motion pictures.
Before the movies, the Marvel Comics franchise started in 1939. It became well-known in the early 60s, and the movies have become a cultural phenomenon collectively grossing more money than any other franchise. These things still might be judged as “less than cool” but they have, nevertheless, gained a huge following. Comic Con drew in about 100 attendees in its early days. Now, over 130,000 people attend the event to meet other fans, attend panels and buy merchandise. If there is a comic someone is looking for that Smith does not have on the shelf, he does special orders to get those stories to his customers He said, “I get special orders every week. Say I can’t get that comic [online], I will go to one of my other retailer friends up in the Toledo area and get it from them. It’s not big deal at all.
“It’s what we do here. We make people happy.” In the past, the store has hosted events for Dungeons and Dragons, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros. and Cards Against Humanity. The next thing he wants to add is some kind of food. Smith said, “I want this to be more than just a comic store. There’s a really good possibility we’re going to add a hotdog shop in the front. I have some really great ideas for some internal expansion. Smith has created his own Comic Club for the store. Simply text “CAMERON” to 51660 for special announcements about events and upcoming releases. The best part is that it’s totally free! This is absolutely the best way to know what is going on in the store, and you can also follow their Facebook page where they live stream every Tuesday to show the new comics coming out on New Comic Book Day which is every Wednesday!