Owning a comic shop has been a dream come true for me. For the past several years, my wife Beth and I have worked hard to make Cowabunga Comics a welcoming space for comic fans in our small Florida town. We celebrated 3 years at our 406 Walnut location on October 2nd. At the same time, my journey as a comic artist and creator has begun to take off in ways I never imagined.
Over the last two and a half years, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to travel across the country, appearing at conventions, meeting fans, and sharing my work. It’s been an amazing ride, but it’s also come with some challenges. Juggling life as both a comic book shop owner and a creator has been tough, and, honestly, I’ve fallen short in my responsibilities to grow the shop.
While I’ve been on the road, Beth has done an incredible job holding down the fort. She’s poured her heart into making Cowabunga Comics a friendly, community-oriented space. But Beth didn’t grow up immersed in the world of comics, and while she’s done her absolute best, some opportunities to expand and evolve the shop have been missed because of my absence.
That’s why I’ve made the difficult but necessary decision to take a year off from attending conventions in 2025. It’s time for me to step back, refocus, and dedicate myself to getting the shop running smoothly in this post-pandemic landscape. My goal is to ensure Cowabunga Comics thrives—not just as a retail space but as a hub for comic enthusiasts and a cornerstone of our community.
Of course, I couldn’t stay away from conventions completely! I’ll still be attending ShadowCon and MegaCon Orlando back-to-back. These shows hold a special place in my heart, and we’re planning something truly exciting for them. At our booth, we’ll be dropping some amazing exclusives from Marvel, DC, and independent publishers—variants you won’t want to miss. Stay tuned for more details as these events get closer!
If you’re in the area or just want to support a small-town comic shop run by passionate locals, I invite you to stop by or visit us online at CowabungaComics.com. Your support means the world to us, and we’re so grateful to be part of such a vibrant and supportive community.
Here’s to a year of growth, reflection, and making Cowabunga Comics the best it can be. I can’t wait to share this next chapter with all of you.
2 comments
I get it, every moment away feels like I’m missing some duty I was supposed to accomplish. Just planning Tatertot Con made it feel like we were missing out on a lot if In Shop moments, best to you and your goals in 2025 my friend!
Started following you about a year ago and got to meet you at Megacon last year. I can’t wait for me to come this year and I look forward to seeing you again. Hopefully in a booth this time. P.S. try not to break any doors.